Teenager Max Lonsdale has revealed that he managed to earn a trial at Manchester United by turning up at Sir Alex Ferguson's house with a DVD of his performances.
After his release from Macclesfield Town, Lonsdale shopped himself to various club by posting videos of his time at Moss Rose on YouTube.
Lonsdale told The Daily Mail: "I posted DVDs to other clubs but got nowhere, so I just thought, 'Right, I'm going to do it differently with United. I'm going straight to Sir Alex'.
"Don't ask me where that came from. I've no idea. I'm normally quite shy, but something inside triggered it. I suppose I wanted it so badly, I just thought you've got to do whatever it takes."
With a DVD and a CV in hand, Lonsdale simply approached Ferguson’s residence and confronted the manager with the words: "I want to play for Manchester United."
The 18-year-old added: "The look was like he was sizing me up and, honestly, I've never felt so nervous.
"But he was brilliant with me. I think he was a bit sceptical at first, but once he realised I was genuine and deadly serious about wanting to play for United, he was great."
By the time the young midfielder left, he was heading for a two-week trial that turned into a month and so nearly ended with a professional contract.
"I admire people with courage, particularly a young person like that who had the guts to come to my door and tell me he wanted a career in the game," Ferguson told BBC Sport when the midfielder begun his trial.
"Hopefully we can address his bravery and determination to succeed. Giving in is too easy for some people these days."
And while Londsdale ultimately just missed out on winning a contract with the club, Ferguson was impressed enough to set up a trial at Doncaster Rovers and promised the door would remain open for him at United.
Lonsdale said: "He said I'd always be welcome to go back and train with them and that the door would never be closed.
"I just need to work hard at my next club, keep developing physically and try to find a bit more pace and it can still happen for me. The dream of making it at United isn't over."
Watch footage of Max Lonsdale's performances with Macclesfield Town
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| Sir Alex Ferguson was impressed by Max Lonsdale's audacious plea Photo: AP |
After his release from Macclesfield Town, Lonsdale shopped himself to various club by posting videos of his time at Moss Rose on YouTube.
But after growing tired of waiting for responses, he decided to be a bit cheeky.
Lonsdale told The Daily Mail: "I posted DVDs to other clubs but got nowhere, so I just thought, 'Right, I'm going to do it differently with United. I'm going straight to Sir Alex'.
"Don't ask me where that came from. I've no idea. I'm normally quite shy, but something inside triggered it. I suppose I wanted it so badly, I just thought you've got to do whatever it takes."
With a DVD and a CV in hand, Lonsdale simply approached Ferguson’s residence and confronted the manager with the words: "I want to play for Manchester United."
The 18-year-old added: "The look was like he was sizing me up and, honestly, I've never felt so nervous.
"But he was brilliant with me. I think he was a bit sceptical at first, but once he realised I was genuine and deadly serious about wanting to play for United, he was great."
By the time the young midfielder left, he was heading for a two-week trial that turned into a month and so nearly ended with a professional contract.
"I admire people with courage, particularly a young person like that who had the guts to come to my door and tell me he wanted a career in the game," Ferguson told BBC Sport when the midfielder begun his trial.
"Hopefully we can address his bravery and determination to succeed. Giving in is too easy for some people these days."
And while Londsdale ultimately just missed out on winning a contract with the club, Ferguson was impressed enough to set up a trial at Doncaster Rovers and promised the door would remain open for him at United.
Lonsdale said: "He said I'd always be welcome to go back and train with them and that the door would never be closed.
"I just need to work hard at my next club, keep developing physically and try to find a bit more pace and it can still happen for me. The dream of making it at United isn't over."
Watch footage of Max Lonsdale's performances with Macclesfield Town
Related links:
Team
Also see:
