Jacob Giles joined Huddersfield Town from school aged 16 and undertook an education programme alongside his football training which saw him complete a BTEC National Certificate, an AS ICT qualification and a Coaching Certificate.
The young goalkeeper was dedicated to his football training but recognised the importance that a good education would have in later life.
Jacob says:
“Players tend to think that once they have signed for a club after leaving school their football career is secure, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. So few people make good careers out of the game, and even if you are one of the lucky few that do, it can be over very quickly.”
“I understand that players want to concentrate on their game and think that gaining an education whilst playing is too much, I was the same, but you need to have a back-up plan in case things don’t turn out the way you had hoped.”
After being released by Huddersfield Town, Jacob went on to study an undergraduate degree programme for two years at Bath University followed by a final year at Leeds Metropolitan University, something that would not have been possible without his football apprenticeship.
Jacob, now 23 years old, is studying a masters in International Business which he hopes to complete in 2010.
