Coach's heartbreak fuelling mission to develop next generation of stars

09 June 2023 , 05:00

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Academy Player's Jack Gostelow (right) and Wolves star Max Kilman

Thousands of children have their dreams shattered every year when they are let go by professional clubs.

That’s exactly what happened to Jack Gostelow, when he was released by Brentford aged 16 after six years in west London. Unsuccessful trials at QPR and Aldershot followed and, like many others, he started to fall out of love with the game.

But rather than turn his back on football altogether, Jack turned his attention to developing the next generation instead. Jack started coaching his local Sunday youth side and launched the Academy Player in 2017 with partner Ali Simmons, aimed at helping youngsters into pro clubs.

Fast forward six years and now he has helped more than 100 kids make the transition from grassroots football into the pro set up, with children from as far afield as the US, Australia and Dubai travelling to London to be put through their paces. Premier League star Max Kilman, who is wanted by Tottenham, ex- Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom and former England international Alfie Mawson are also among his one-to-one clients.

Jack, 29, from London, explained: “After being let go by Brentford I started to hate the game within months, but I still wanted to be involved and started focusing on coaching instead. I rediscovered my love for football, helping to nurture the talent of others.

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"Seeing their success is just as rewarding and it gives you a sense of pride when one of your players is picked up for trials at a pro club. Academy Player offers a purpose built facility so players can work on specific parts of their game to improve their touch and make them an all-round better player. Mike Antionades from the Running School has also been a massive help, using plyometrics to boost players' power and speed ".

Elliot Bond (Cheltenham Town) and Isaac Ogundere (AFC Wimbledon) are just two of the youngsters Jack has helped establish themselves as full-time professionals. He also started TAP FC in 2020 and his side has played against no less than 17 academy sides up and down the country, with some of his players taken on by Chelsea, Fulham and Crystal Palace.

“Whoever we come up against we give a good account of ourselves, which is a testament to the hard work everyone puts in every training session,” Jack added. “My dad instilled work ethic in me as a kid and I try to instill that in all of my players as well because you can have all the talent in the world but you still need to put in the graft.”

Jacob Murtagh