Ramone Blackett, Aged 21, Exclusive Interview
Former Manchester United winger Ramone Blackett, brother of defender Tyler, is set for a week-long trial with Barnsley in July. Ahead of his return to football next month, we caught up with Ramone as he told us about his journey and the struggles he’s faced to get to where he is today.
“I was at Man United for 8 years which were amazing, then one year, at the end of season review meeting, they told me they weren’t going to keep me on. I was devastated, Man United are the biggest club in the world and I didn’t know where to go from there, I’d been there my whole life. But in football you have to have a strong mindset because that’s part of it, so I was just focussed on finding somewhere new and playing football again.” Despite having to come to terms with his release from Manchester United, it wasn’t long until Ramone was back playing football again. “While I was at United there was some interest from Wigan, and they moved really quickly after I was released and signed me within a week. I had a great time at Wigan, I progressed really well and was dragged out of school a few times to play in some u18’s matches a couple of years above myself, which was an amazing experience for me. In the end it didn’t work out there and to this day I still don’t know why, things all got a bit funny towards the end.”
“After I was released from Wigan I went to an open trial at Blackpool – I played really well in the game and I had a call that evening saying they wanted to sign me for 2 years. I loved my time at Blackpool, to be honest I thought that was the one for me, I was on the right track. I played a friendly for the first team in a testimonial game, playing under Ian Holloway. He was great to work with, he wanted me to play like Matty Phillips who was there at the time (now at QPR) and he was a player I really looked up too. Holloway tried to encourage me and made me feel confident - he improved me as a player." In November 2012, Holloway left his post at Bloomfield Road as he was appointed the new Manager of Crystal Palace – having a huge effect on Blackett’s young career. “Obviously Holloway ended up leaving the club and things became really difficult for me then, I never really got a look in after that and I was released last May (2014). It was very hard being let go from Blackpool, it was tough. Tyler was breaking in to Manchester United first team at the time and for me even just watching matches on TV was very difficult in that period because I just wanted to be playing, but I always believed in my ability and Tyler was brilliant supporting me and encouraging me.”
In February this year, Ramone attended a UK Football Trial in Stockport where he attracted the attention of a number of scouts, playing on the left side of midfield. He was approached by the Head of Recruitment at Barnsley, who have since arranged for him to train with the club when they return for pre-season on July 6th. “I had a year out of football without a club when I was just training by myself, trying to stay fit and waiting for an opportunity to come along, and it did with UK Football Trials. I went down to the trial in Manchester and did my best and got the results. They secured me a trial with Barnsley, who are a big team in their own right, and I can’t thank them enough, I owe UK Football Trials a lot. I’ve already started running and training ahead of my trial next month, and I’m just hoping to do my best and see what comes of it.”