Football's Next Star

**redobit** · 04/01/2010, 11:24 AM

A new show just started on Sky.

10 teenagers from Britain and Ireland are brought to Italy to compete for a single contract with Inter Milan. It started on Sunday (3rd January) and the first episode seems to be repeated for the rest of the week if you want to watch it.

Though I might post it here as 3 of the 10 young lads that were picked for the trials are from Ireland. Best of luck to them.

**drummerboy** · 04/01/2010, 11:43 AM

Came across this programme last night. They originally picked 40 kids from all over Britain and Ireland. They picked 9 Irish lads for the final trials which were held the UK. They seemed impressed by the standard of players from Ireland as they picked 9 for the final trials, while only picking 4 from Scotland.

Of these, 3 Irish players qualified for the final 10 who go on to Italy for further assessing. They stand out players was a guy named Craig Doyle.

**superfrank** · 04/01/2010, 11:57 AM

Did they say where in Ireland they're from?

Also, how old are these lads?

**De Town** · 04/01/2010, 12:11 PM

I sort of had it on in the background last night. There was a lad called Connor who was from Westmeath. Can't remember his surname, could be Smith maybe?

He was a midfielder. After that I can't remember too much about them.

**paul_oshea** · 04/01/2010, 12:48 PM

reality tv for kids. seems a bit too much.

**drummerboy** · 04/01/2010, 12:49 PM

The Doyle lad, I think plays with Cherry Orchard and is about 15-16.
Connor Smyth is from Westmeath. Don know anything about the 3rd lad.

**redobit** · 04/01/2010, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

reality tv for kids. seems a bit too much.

Absolutley, that said it does give you a good insight of how cut-throat the path to becoming a professional footballer can be and how such a small % actually make it to the top.

**MickeyEvans** · 04/01/2010, 1:27 PM

Conor Earley from Greystones is the third lad. Recently had trials for Ipswich as a centre-half but missed out due to height and they picked a Norwegian an inch taller. The hope is he grows a bit more although, despite what seems a skinny frame, he's very strong both physically and technically.

**Alf Honn** · 04/01/2010, 1:35 PM

Originally Posted by drummerboy

Came across this programme last night. They originally picked 40 kids from all over Britain and Ireland. They picked 9 Irish lads for the final trials which were held the UK. They seemed impressed by the standard of players from Ireland as they picked 9 for the final trials, while only picking 4 from Scotland.

Of these, 3 Irish players qualified for the final 10 who go on to Italy for further assessing. They stand out players was a guy named Craig Doyle.

Craig Walsh. Capped last season for Ireland U17 and just graduated from the FÁS FAI Programme:

http://www.fai.ie/index.phpoption=co...and&Itemid=316

**longfordjames** · 04/01/2010, 2:50 PM

Conor Smith to sign for Watford FC

**stiffler** · 04/01/2010, 6:34 PM

Anyone know when this show is repeated?

**bwagner** · 04/01/2010, 7:40 PM

Was the 3rd lad not named Colton ??? Doyle looked good.

**old git** · 04/01/2010, 9:05 PM

Originally Posted by bwagner

Was the 3rd lad not named Colton ??? Doyle looked good.

yeah gavin colton from kildare

**tetsujin1979** · 04/01/2010, 9:26 PM

best of luck to the Irish lads involved in this show, but just to temper things a little, the player who won the first Football Icon (the previous incarnation of this show) was released after two seasons at Chelsea and is now playing for Welling United
The second winner has fared a little better, and has a contract with Chelsea and has been called into the Northern Ireland U-21 squad
More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_Icon

**bwagner** · 04/01/2010, 9:26 PM

Thanks Old git - I hope some of these lads make it

**irishultra** · 04/01/2010, 9:40 PM

looked crap tbh.

**Razors left peg** · 04/01/2010, 9:50 PM

Seems to be very much the same as the Football Icon show that was on a couple of years ago on sky where the young lads were trying to get a contract with Chelsea.Think the lad that wont it the first year is gone out of football again but the lad that won it the 2nd year is still with Chelsea reserves and has played under 21s for Northern Ireland. Seems like its a very good opportunity for them so best of luck to the 3 Irish lads

**ConfeyMan** · 05/01/2010, 3:33 PM

Third Lad is indeed Gavin Colton. He plays at Centre Half for Cherry Orchard's U16 Team

**theworm2345** · 06/01/2010, 6:08 PM

If anyone wants to watch this show PM me, I'll send you some links.

**irishultra** · 06/01/2010, 8:55 PM

none of them will make it with inter i bet you. i know irish mentality, very few irish are like my parents that can adapt in countries where english is not spoken language. you only have to look at our emmigration, there is no irish communities anywhere on mainland europe.

they will probably return home.....to england and play in the third divisions