The news of Kit being scouted came quickly. “We were told on the Friday, and by Sunday afternoon, Crystal Palace had already reached out,” his family shared. Just a week later, he was invited to a showcase match at the club’s academy—a fantastic opportunity to prove himself among top-level talent. Impressively, he has already been invited back for another match this week. What happens next is uncertain, but the signs are promising. If he continues to impress, he could be offered a full trial with the club. 

Kit’s first experience playing in an academy showcase match couldn’t have gone much better. His team secured a dominant 15-0 win against another academy side, and while the scoreline was one-sided, the challenge for Kit was staying focused and prepared for the moments when he was needed. Now, he waits to see if Crystal Palace will take the next step in offering him a full trial. 

Reflecting on his experience at UK Football Trials, Kit gained valuable insights about how trial matches differ from normal games. “People don’t play like you would expect them to in a match,” he explained. “Some players are trying unlikely things just to get noticed, so you have to expect the unexpected and make the best of your situations.” Learning this made a huge difference, helping him adapt and perform under trial conditions. He also found that attending the first trial removed any anxiety for the second one, giving him greater confidence in his ability. 

One of the highlights of the trial was a high-intensity goalkeeper drill designed to push players to their limits. With four lines of attackers involved, the session demanded quick reactions, bravery, and athletic saves—perfect for showcasing Kit’s talent. Another standout moment came during the game itself, when an opposition attacker pressed him aggressively inside the box. Kit calmly executed a Cruyff turn to escape the pressure before distributing the ball to his wing-back—an impressive piece of composure caught on Veo, which he later enjoyed showing his brothers. 

Kit’s family turned to UK Football Trials after leaving Chelsea’s Advanced Development programme, as they felt he needed greater challenges to continue progressing. “It’s hard to make network connections at the highest levels, and scouts can only see so many kids in grassroots teams,” they explained. The trial provided Kit with an invaluable opportunity to be seen by multiple clubs at once while also testing himself against other talented players. 

They would strongly recommend UK Football Trials to other aspiring players. “The training was excellent, and the coaches were players of a high calibre themselves,” they said. “There were more scouts attending than we ever expected, and they took the time to properly assess each player. It was superb value for money, well organised, and ultimately, it worked for Kit.” 

As for what happens next? That remains to be seen. Kit is still in the early stages of his journey with Crystal Palace, but his performances have already made an impression. With further opportunities ahead, this young goalkeeper has every reason to be optimistic. Watch this space—Kit Milligan is just getting started.