Attending our Manchester event back in August, 15-year-old centre back Sam Dempsey was scouted by Buxton for a trial.

We spoke to Sam’s mother Jennifer about his football background, here’s what she told us: “Sam started playing football at 4-years-old, and has consistently played ever since. He never takes a break, he just lives and breathes football.”

“Sam is a very defensive player. His best position is as a centre back but he does have a goal in him.” She added.

“He has been with the same grassroots club Mavericks F.C for the past six seasons, they play in the Liverpool Premier League and are currently 3^rd.”

With Sam doing well for his grassroots team, we asked Jen why he opted to attend our event. She explained: “He chose to come to your event because we felt there wasn’t any real opportunities for him playing at grassroots level, and he thought this was the best thing to help him get noticed.”

After an amazing performance at our trial, Sam was invited to trial for Buxton, Jen told us what happened from there: “We received an email almost immediately from UK Football Trials telling us that Buxton were interested in Sam.”

“From there he was offered to train with the club every Monday since for two hours.”

After a number of sessions with Buxton, Sam was invited to sign for the Northern Premier League Premier Division side, Jen elaborated on what this meant, explaining: “We’ve been sent the prospectus because the club wants Sam to sign to the academy and enrol in their education program once he has finished his GCSE’s. He is going to be doing 15 hours of football and 12 hours of schooling a week starting next year.”

“In such a cut throat business where not many players make it, I was over the moon with the fact that he was even scouted, everything else that’s come with it has just been amazing. I’m just thrilled that someone has recognised him.”

“I am totally made up for Sam and what he has achieved, it’s not like he has been lucky, he has worked so hard to get where he is today.”

After a fair bit of time with the club, we asked Jen how Sam is finding it, she told us: “Sam loves it at Buxton, he has said that he wishes he was challenged more but I don’t think its because he is finding it easy, because the level is so high. I think he just wants to be pushed and wants to keep improving constantly.”

“Sam has settled in really well and made friends with the other lads. Although it’s a smaller club, he loves the feel of being and playing in a stadium.”

We asked Jen if she had any advice for players and parents who have the talent but lack the opportunity, here’s what she had to say: “Like I said, Sam has constantly played football since the age of four but was never picked up by scouts. It doesn’t always matter how hard you work or how dedicated you are, sometimes you need something like an open trial to get noticed.”

Everyone at UK Football Trials would like to wish Sam the best of luck with Buxton. Sam has the perfect attitude to make it in such a hard industry. If he continues the way he is going, we are sure he can play at a higher level.