Burnley Captain Clarke Carlisle has emphasised the need for all young players to ‘dip their toe in the water’ and explore the opportunities available to them via Competitive Edge Live.
Now 30 years old, the Clarets defender has already started planning for when his own playing days come to an end and is scheduled to start a BA(Hons) in Sports Journalism at Staffordshire University later this year.
And he has urged all young players to make the same considerations about their futures as early as possible. Speaking at Competitive Edge Live, North at the Bolton Arena earlier this week, he said;
“I’m a bit of an exception to the rule because when I started at Blackpool on a YTS as it was then, I didn’t think that I would get a contract and I was actually looking more at the chance to go out to the USA on a football scholarship.”
“Since that time I’ve become proficient in another language while playing first-team football and I’m now looking to become qualified as a Sports Journalist. I may or may not go in to the media but by doing the qualification it gives me a better chance of securing my own and my families future.”
“The failure rate in football is around 85-90% by the time you get to the age of 21, so young players need to make sure that they can move on and train in other areas so that is why services like today are invaluable.”
“There’s no point in waiting or holding back on what you’re going to do next, get out there and dip your toe in water to see what other opportunities there are.”
