Centre forward Phoenix Offiah, 10, was scouted by 10 clubs at our West London Trial in October and has since gone on to play for Crystal Palace and be offered a place in QPR’s development centre.

Talking with Phoenix’s mother Virginia, she gave us an insight into his footballing background: “Phoenix arrived to football quite late, he only started playing in the last two years. He’s a rugby player and athlete really. So he’s only played for one club and they’re called Shooting Stars.”

When asked why she brought her son to our event, she explained: “We decided to bring Phoenix along to one of your events because he was playing with players who have been in with clubs like Chelsea and Fulham and he was at a similar sort of level despite being new to the game.”

 “People were always coming up to him after the game and saying how well he did, so we thought if other kids are getting the chance he should too.”

She continued: “There was one game that a scout came to watch his team but he was spending his time between playing rugby and football so he actually missed the scout as he was playing for his rugby team.”

“It’s been a fantastic opportunity for us to get him out there and have clubs know his name and have his details on file. For us that’s a massive positive.” She added.

After so much interest from our event, Phoenix played in a match for Crystal Palace and was offered to trial for a variety of teams.

Virginia explained her and her husbands decision for the club they wanted their son to trial for, telling us: “We were thinking that QPR and Fulham were probably our best options due to the distance from where we live. However, when we realistically look at things, if he were to get in with a team he’d being training three times a week and that’s an awful lot of travelling for a young a lad.”

“So at the moment he is with QPR and is training on a Friday night, but his father has been in contact with other clubs and asked them to keep Phoenix’s details on file.”

After choosing to trial with QPR, Virginia told us where Phoenix is currently at with his football: “Phoenix is currently in QPR’s development centre. We are very happy with this as he is still young and QPR can help him to improve as a player.”

“We don’t want clubs to turn their back on him because he isn’t quite at the academy level just yet so we are happy for him to be in the development centre.”

“He’s playing locally, he’s training locally, he’s getting a good level of coaching and most importantly he’s enjoying playing football.” She explained.

Virginia also reported that Phoenix is dedicating his time and efforts to football stating: “He’s loving it at QPR. He’s bringing the training home too; he’s been working a lot on his ball control and things like that in the garden before school and then he’s playing matches or training in the evening too.”

Phoenix is currently still training with QPR’s development centre. We would like to wish him the best of luck with the club and will bring further updates as they come in.