Goalkeeper James Early has been on trial with Championship club Sheffield United and is set for another trial with a League Two side in the coming weeks.

After being scouted at our trial in Tamworth in July, James was invited to spend a week training with the u23's and u18's.

When he returned to another of our events in West London in December 2017, we caught up with him to find out how the trial went - read the transcript below or click the link to watch the interview in full:

https://youtu.be/s5hG-PQqlwA

Your first trial with us was in July, how did that go?

"I came early because you said I could come and do some shot-stopping, so obviously that made me stand out. All the coaches were watching and I made some good saves, so that caught the eye of a Sheffield scout and he went straight over to my dad, got our contact details and was in touch with me as soon as possible."

What happened next?

"They asked me to come down for a week and stay in their digs and I was training with the u18's and u23's, doing two sessions a day."

What was that like?

"It was a very good experience because right next to us were the first team, so whenever we had a break we could look over and watch them. Plus the u23's are right below the first team, so it was a pretty good standard."

Have you done anything like this before?

"I have had a couple of trials - Brighton, Charlton, West Ham for a season and AFC Wimbledon but obviously I didn't get in. I was margins away, it was just little minute details that I could work on, but that's why I'm here."

How much training do you do regularly?

"I train with Hastings first team two times a week, and I travel to their home and away games and do the warm up with their first team 'keeper, and I play for the u18's on Sunday's as well. I have a coach 1-on-1 just once a week, he's the first team 'keeper at Hastings."

How are the sessions at UK Football Trials?

"It's hard, but good. They put you through your paces and they make you shine."

Finally, any advice for other players?

"Pretend to be the guy who everyone wants. So, act like the bigger man and do everything that the coach says and you'll be fine."