Rose blossoms
Last Updated: 06/10/16 12:27pm
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Jordan Rose has the Nike Academy to thank for helping him land a professional contract with Stockport.
Skysports.com's James Dall spoke to rising star Jordan Rose about how the Nike Academy helped him earn a pro contract at Stockport
Jordan Rose has the Nike Academy to thank for helping him land a professional contract with Stockport County after admitting he had fallen out of love with the game.
The promising 20-year-old defender slipped out of the main football spotlight after becoming disillusioned with the sport, admitting, in a frank and honest interview with skysports.com, that he "no longer played for his own enjoyment".
And worryingly, Rose is no freak case, with many a youngster being dealt the blow that they are no longer wanted at such a tender age in their development, ultimately leaving them with nothing but resentment for a sport they once adored.
Rose is quite the journeyman, despite his tender years. The athletic stopper, who has been told by several coaches that he has undoubted potential, started out at Southampton when he was just 12 years of age.
He and his family then moved to France, meaning a change for Rose as he played for Caen for six months. Upon returning to England, he was snapped up by Bournemouth, where he did his two-year apprenticeship.
A chance
But, when he was 18-years-old, he was released by the Cherries, leaving him lost. Rose opted to play non-league football, featuring for Salisbury and Weymouth, before making a key career decision.
Rose explained: "I knew that I had to something with my life as football wasn't working for me. So what I did was apply for university in order to get an education and play full-time football.
"It was when I was there, the coach asked if I had heard about the Nike Academy. I filled in my application form and soon played a game for them. They liked what they saw and asked me to stay on."
The chance turned out to be one hell of an opportunity for Rose, who admits he "had picked up a few bad habits" during his time playing non-league football. Mentally, too, there were problems. Indeed, during those those recent years his footballing mindset had been affected.
Setbacks
He continued: "The Nike Academy helped rebuild some of my confidence after the setbacks I had suffered. If I am honest myself, I wasn't really enjoying my football any more. I was only playing because people urged me not to give up.
"I had got to the point where I was playing for other people, not for myself, not for enjoyment. As soon as I went to the Nike Academy, the whole set-up, the environment there, it made start enjoying football again. My determination was restored.
"If it wasn't for the Nike Academy I don't think I would have had the determination to get back into pro football. The Nike Academy has given me so many opportunities to show my talent. I think if it wasn't for the Nike Academy I would have accepted playing non-league now."
In July 2010, after impressing Stockport manager Paul Simpson during a trial, Rose put pen-to-paper on a professional deal at Edgeley Park. And attention now turns to establishing himself in the starting XI, a statement said with much enthusiasm. The Nike Academy has served its purpose.