Harry Shillington – 20 Years Old – Scouted by Millwall & Brentford 

At 20 years old, Harry Shillington has already lived a football journey that spans multiple countries, setbacks, and incredible opportunities — all of which have shaped him into the player he is today. From his early days in Denmark, through trials in England, to representing Australia and playing senior minutes in the Asian Champions League, Harry’s story is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of never giving up on a dream. 

Harry’s football journey began at the age of five when he joined B1903 in Denmark, one of the country’s most established grassroots clubs. Those early years allowed him to build a love for the game, develop his technical base, and start dreaming of what could be possible. After moving to the UK, he continued his development with Chorley Wood and later joined the Wycombe Wanderers Select Squad, where his potential really started to show. 

The defining moment in his journey came when he attended a UK Football Trials event. “A friend invited me along to the trials,” Harry explained. “He was a goalkeeper and wanted to join one of the academies. I thought it was a great idea and I firstly saw the trials as just another day to go along and play football. Once I arrived and realised that there were scouts watching us, it was an even better experience. I am so glad my friends talked me into going, otherwise, I may have missed an opportunity to be scouted.” 

That decision proved life-changing. On the day, Harry impressed scouts and was approached by multiple clubs, including Millwall and Brentford. “The best moment was when we had finished and I had three scouts talk to me about being offered a position. I felt rewarded for my efforts. The nerves I felt going into the trials disappeared and they were replaced with excitement. I felt that my journey to becoming a professional footballer had begun.” 

Brentford went one step further, offering him a full-time place at their academy after he impressed during his trial. “The club trial was nerve-wracking. Fear of the unknown I guess,” Harry recalled. “However, once I arrived, I was shown the change rooms and provided a kit to change into. The coaches treated me well and I was made to feel like a part of the squad from the start. We were organised into attacking and defensive drills and I was treated like I had been with the squad for years. It was a great experience and I was really excited when I was invited back to train again.” 

Unfortunately, just as the offer came, life threw a major challenge Harry’s way. His family decided to relocate back to Australia as his mum was diagnosed with cancer, and with that move came the difficult decision to decline Brentford’s offer. While it was a heartbreaking moment, it didn’t end his journey. 

Back in Australia, Harry joined the Melbourne City FC Academy, one of the most prestigious setups in the A-League. His performances saw him progress through the ranks, even earning the chance to represent Australia as a Young Socceroo. More recently, Harry achieved a dream milestone, making his first senior appearance for Melbourne City FC in the Asian Champions League against Hiroshima FC. 

Reflecting on the role UK Football Trials played in his journey, Harry said: “The UK Football Trial allowed me to perform under pressure and gave me a taste of what it would be like to play as a professional player who is under scrutiny.” It was the first step that proved he could shine in front of scouts and set him on the path toward becoming a professional footballer. 

When asked if he would recommend UK Football Trials, Harry’s response was emphatic: “Yes, I would highly recommend attending a session with UK Football Trials. It was a professionally run day and it proved to be the significant opportunity that I needed to showcase my skills so that I could start my journey to become a professional footballer.” 

Harry’s story is one of courage, resilience, and determination. From turning down Brentford due to family circumstances to fighting his way back into professional football in Australia, his journey shows that setbacks don’t define you — how you respond to them does. Now, with senior minutes under his belt and his career heading in the right direction, Harry Shillington is a name to remember for the future.