Australian Goalkeeper Ethan Giles has undergone trials for Derby County and Bury FC after being scouted from our events in October.

The 15-year-old shot stopper was one of the stand out performers amongst more than 100 players at our trial, and was soon contacted by the interested scouts.

Ethan revealed: “Derby got my details from UK Football Trials and emailed me asking for some more information about me and my background.

“I replied to them and then got an invitation down for training at the academy.

“The session lasted about an hour and we did some handling, diving and shot stopping, all the kind of things I’d expected to work on to be honest but it was a really good standard – I really enjoyed it.”

Ethan was training with 10 other goalkeepers at Derby, all of academy level, across a range of age groups.

Originally from Australia, Ethan first came into contact with UK Football Trials at our event in Sydney last July, although he wasn’t scouted at the time, as he explains.

“In Australia it’s a different system, the leagues and academies have a different way of working so the UK Football Trials event was a new experience for me compared to what I’m used to at home,” said Ethan.

“I wasn’t scouted but I did work with UK Football Trials and they helped me find a school in England where I can study and play a high standard of football at the same time, so I’ve been living here for about two months now and I love it, I’m settling in really well.”

The trial with Derby was Ethan’s first since leaving Australia, but it wasn’t long until he was undergoing trial number two, this time with League Two side Bury.

For a player from Australia with no professional club experience to earn trials at two pro clubs in England is quite extraordinary, but shows what can be done if you’re willing to put the hard work in.

We at UKFT would like to congratulate Ethan on being scouted and wish him the best of luck with his football as he continues to train with Derby County.

If you would like to take your chance and play in front of scouts from England, go to www.ukfootballtrials.com.au for more details about our events in 2019.