Jomar first stepped into the structured football environment at 16, when he joined Burnley’s shadow youth team as part of his college course. For two years, this experience gave him exposure to a higher standard of football and the demands of competitive development. During his final year, his performances caught the attention of Colne FC, where he went on to represent the Under-23s side. At the same time, he kept himself sharp by playing for several men’s amateur Saturday league teams, including Rolls FC and Grassington United, as his U23 fixtures usually took place midweek. 

The experiences of juggling youth football and men’s football shaped him into a resilient and versatile player, but his real breakthrough came through UK Football Trials. “I got emails from the clubs generally in the first week,” Jomar explained. “One club said I was too far to travel, and the other two said I could come for a trial.” 

His situation then took a unique turn. “I went to a training session at Garswood and I did well, but they had a new manager the week after so I didn’t hear anything back until their head of recruitment told me he passed my details along to some other clubs,” he said. That’s when opportunity finally knocked. “The Garstang manager messaged me to come for pre-season and eventually signed me after a few weeks.” 

Reflecting on his UK Football Trials experience, Jomar was clear about the lessons it taught him. “I learned to get out my comfort zone and to play to my strengths,” he said. Those qualities came to the fore during the 11-a-side showcase game at the trial. “In the first few minutes I made a successful last-ditch slide tackle, stopping the striker from going one-on-one with the keeper. This gave me boosted confidence for the rest of the game.” 

Moments like these not only caught the eye of scouts but also reminded Jomar of his own ability. For him, attending UK Football Trials wasn’t just about the exposure, but also about proving something to himself. “I wanted to prove to myself I was good enough to play at a high level,” he explained. 

When asked if he would recommend UK Football Trials to others, Jomar’s answer was certain. “I would recommend it as it gives you a fair chance to show your qualities to multiple scouts as well as being trained by high-level coaches.” 

He also values the guidance he’s received from clubs during the process. “They told me it’s better to play for a lower league team where you will start most games than sit on the bench for a team in a higher league.” For Jomar, the chance to get regular minutes and continue developing was the most important step, and Garstang offered exactly that. 

Now signed and looking ahead, Jomar is eager to make the most of his new chapter with Garstang. His story highlights that with perseverance, the right platform, and a willingness to keep pushing, opportunities in football can still arrive — even when the path takes unexpected turns.