#13 WHAT IF I'M REJECTED, BY A FOOTBALL ACADEMY?

You've got to be realistic.

Just think. How many new young players does a club like Liverpool or Arsenal sign every season?

The answer is very few. The fact is that most trainees will never make the grade.

Trainees released from scholarship schemes are put into a central pool which allows other interested clubs to come in for them.

And former Fulham scout Roger Skyrme believes there's nothing wrong with lowering your standards.

"Never lose faith in your ability, but do be prepared to move down a level," Roger told BBC Sport.

One example is Darren Peacock, who was rejected by Bristol Rovers before being taken on by Newport County.

He eventually went on to make some 200 Premiership appearances for clubs such as QPR, Newcastle, West Ham and Blackburn.

"Now that's one player with real backbone," said Skyrme.