Charlie’s football journey began early, with a ball at his feet from the age of five. He joined local grassroots team Titans, where his talent was quickly spotted. Over the next couple of years, he experienced football at several pre-academies, including some Category 1 and Category 2 clubs during his under-7 and under-8 seasons — giving him early exposure to a more competitive environment. 

This foundation of experience made him a confident young player by the time he arrived at UK Football Trials, where his quick feet, clever passing, and ability to take on players in wide areas caught the eye of multiple scouts. 

“Once UK Football Trials told us Charlie had been scouted, we heard from Tottenham straight away,” said his parent. “They invited him to a future trial date. We’re still waiting to hear from Millwall, but we’re hopeful.” 

Although his trial with Tottenham is yet to take place, the invitation alone marks a major milestone in Charlie’s young football career. He knows what’s at stake and is staying focused as he looks ahead to the opportunity. 

Charlie reflected on his UK Football Trials experience with a smile. It wasn’t just the scouts that made the day special — it was the high-level coaching and fun, structured training environment that stood out for him. 

“It was a great experience with great coaches,” Charlie said. “I really enjoyed the fun drills and games.” 

The chance to be coached by top-quality staff who have worked at academy and professional levels helped boost Charlie’s confidence and gave him a clear understanding of what’s expected at the highest levels of youth football. 

“The best moment for me was being coached by top-quality coaches. That was really exciting.” 

One of the key reasons Charlie came to UK Football Trials was the opportunity to perform in front of multiple academy scouts all in one place. With many academies in attendance, the format allows players to maximise their chances of being spotted — and in Charlie’s case, that’s exactly what happened. 

“We came because it was a chance to be seen by multiple scouts all at the same time. I’ve already recommended UK Football Trials to other players — it’s definitely worth it.” 

Now, the next step in Charlie’s journey is his upcoming trial with Tottenham Hotspur, one of the most prestigious academies in England. With interest from Millwall also on the table, his future is full of promise. His family remains grounded but excited about the opportunities ahead. 

“We’re just proud of how far Charlie has come. He’s worked really hard and this is a great step forward. We’ll see what happens at the Tottenham trial and take it from there.” 

Whether or not a signing comes soon, Charlie Matthews has already shown he has what it takes to be noticed — and with the right support, he’s got a bright future ahead in football.