Tips Walthamstow’s players must employ to make it in the professional game

Throughout the history of the club, Walthamstow have had a number of highly talented players on their books. The same applies this season, with Bilal Sayoud and Brian Moses being just two players who are regularly shining for the promotion chasers. In order to make it in the professional game, though, there are some important things both of Stow’s top performers would have employed in the past to increase their chances of being snapped up by professional teams.

While both players might have missed the boat given their respective ages, there are some highly talented youngsters at the club who will be desperate to make it in the professional game. After all, non-league footballers love the game and generally play it for enjoyment, but it’s also a job and there is a clear path for career progression. Like in most careers, though, talent can only take you so far. Many players who have made it to the EFL or the Premier League have also needed a bit of luck along the way.

Overall, though, there are some notable tips non-league footballers can use to enhance their prospects of landing a professional contract. While Walthamstow want to keep as many talented players as possible, it’s almost impossible to stand in their way should an EFL club come calling. It also brings a great deal of pleasure to club officials and supporters to see one of their own plying their trade in a major competition.

As the likes of Jamie Vardy have proved, a player who is currently being selected by fantasy football managers and being backed to score goals by fans who enjoy football betting, it can be done. To be in with a shot, though, you need to have an edge on your competition. So, with that in mind, below are some top tips Walthamstow’s players must employ to give them a greater chance of making it in the professional game one day.

Devote yourself to the sport

While many non-league players have jobs outside of football, they still need to devote themselves to the sport as much as they possibly can. Sure, it can be tough during a challenging working week and with family life also to navigate, but it can be done. As numerous former non-league players have exhibited, non-league players need to live like professionals. Of course, they can’t train on a daily basis and have access to the best facilities around, but they can continually look to improve and grow by devoting themselves to the beautiful game. Ultimately, if an aspiring professional doesn’t have the right mindset and puts a considerable amount of time and effort into always looking to evolve, then they’ll simply stagnate in the non-league game.

Watch as much football as you can

In the same way fighters who dedicate themselves to the sport of boxing learn from other professionals and legends, footballers should never stop educating themselves and learning from the professional players around them. If a footballer already loves the sport, then watching some of the world’s most talented players is an easy task to complete anyway. Players should watch matches, read inspirational books from some of football’s most influential figures, and always talk to any professional players and coaches who could give them some golden pieces of advice. In order to rise to the top of the tree and make it as a professional, surrounding yourself with expert advice and educational materials can only be a good thing.

Train as much as possible

As we’ve already touched on, work commitments can get in the way for many non-league players. Despite this, though, there are still occasions when players can get some extra work in and improve their overall game. Training regularly is a necessity in that respect, with many non-league players enlisting the help of professional coaches in their spare time or training with friends who have made it. Ultimately, training once or twice a week probably isn’t going to be enough, therefore making regular training sessions something that should be at the forefront of your mind when it comes to upping the ante in your quest to becoming a professional footballer. A healthy balance also needs to be established here, though, as you don’t want to destroy your body ahead of Saturday’s big game, but bettering yourself by training as much as your body allows you to is something any non-league talent should aim for.

Find the right club

Much like at Walthamstow, there are some clubs that have a number of scouts watching the action on a weekly basis. Likewise, if a non-league gem can find themselves in the right environment which has a track record of producing players for the various levels above, then it can only provide more motivation. Players who are stuck in the wilderness, though, and turning out for clubs with limited exposure will always tend to struggle. Additionally, any budding professional players also need to ideally play for a club that is suited to their overall game. After all, had Jarrod Bowen joined a different side before Hereford United, then the current West Ham star might never have been spotted. Non-league players should therefore always focus on finding the best club for them and their progression instead of just settling for any old team.

Know what a scout is looking for

Footballers at any level should never stop learning about the game today, and what scouts and the clubs they’re employed by typically want from players. For instance, many clubs aren’t just interested in raw talent. In fact, attitude and your all-round personality also plays a key part these days. Talk to scouts at full-time, ask them what you could potentially improve in your game, and always be open to constructive criticism from individuals who clearly know what they’re talking about. Then, from there, you can mould yourself into the player they’re after.

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