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Football hopeful is given the boot

Stuart Pike
16/11/2005

BREDBURY footballer Carl Richardson's dreams of instant stardom were brought to a painful end on Sunday night, when he was eliminated from reality TV show Football Icon.

Lifelong Stockport County fan Carl, 17, had made it to the final 12 young players vying for a professional contract with Chelsea FC, but was asked to leave as the search narrowed to the final 10.

Thousands of players had taken part in trials for the Sky One show, with the final 40 making it through to the televised stages.

And elimination was even harder for Carl to swallow after he was forced to play through the pain barrier against Brighton Reserves.

Gutsy Carl, who had been a regular fixture on the physio's table, eventually limped off with 20 minutes to go to have his ankle strapped.

And his worst fears were realised when at the end of the episode, the academy director told him it wouldn't be fair on him to continue.

Dad Mike said: "They didn't want to risk any further injury and because of the timing of the show the recovery time wasn't possible.

"He had done extremely well and to come out of it with an injury was heartbreaking really. It meant everything to him. He was a bit upset about it because no one said he wasn't good enough but he was injured all the time."

A Sky One spokesperson said: "Carl did amazingly well to get down to the final 12. We hope that all of the 12 go on to success in their footballing careers.

"It's disappointing when anyone gets an injury and I'm sure that didn't help, although it was a footballing decision by Chelsea."

However Carl, who is 6ft 4in and plays in central defence and midfield, is now hoping that other professional clubs will be queueing up to sign him.

Mike added: "Carl is prepared to go to any club at any level and is prepared to go anywhere just to fulfill his dream which is to go and play football. If Chelsea and Stockport came in for him he would play for Stockport because that would offer more chance of first team football. He's not interested in the money."