Released Ranger Handed Second Chance

Released youngster James Foulkes is excited by the prospect of working with former England boss Glenn Hoddle.

The former R`s youth midfielder will join up with Hoddle at his reputable training camp in the sherry region of Spain, Jerez.

Foulkes was one of 30 recently released players to receive the honour of attending the camp in Andalucia, under the guidance of the experienced ex-England and Tottenham Hotspur boss.

The midfielder told the Ilford Recorder of his delight.

He said: "It really was an honour to be selected by someone like Glenn Hoddle,"

"It was a big blow to be released. I got a call asking me to attend an exit trial (where players released play a match in front of scouts), Glenn Hoddle saw me there, asked for a trial at Chelsea, and then five weeks in Spain and from there I was accepted."

Selected from 100 prospective candidates, Foulkes will also get the chance to study for a specially selected degree at Leeds Met Carnegie University.

The former R was thought to have a bright future in W12, but his release was met with some surprise as Glasgow Rangers took at look at the young talent.

He continued: "It'll be great to get anything out of it for the future, club-wise,"

"It will be great to put on my CV and I hope I can impress the scouts who watch me when I am down there.

"I had a trial at Glasgow Rangers and they said they liked what they saw in me.

"Then they were knocked out of the Champions League and said they did not have the money, but they told me that they might have a look in January."

Glenn Hoddle commented: "James impressed me with his all-round ability during the selection process and I am delighted that he has signed a full-time contract with the academy.

"He not only demonstrated his ability with the ball, but also his willingness to learn, something critical to his future success as we work with him to develop his skills and prepare him for a footballing future.

"We now have the nucleus of our first year squad of players, but our door is always open for new players to join the Academy and we will continue to host trials throughout Europe as more and more players are released from clubs, before having reached their full potential."

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