George Ademiluyi would have no hesitation in recommending Brentford’s Youth Alliance partnership to interested players after his first few months in Academy football.

The right-back is one of 40 footballers who train three times a week with Brentford Category Two Academy coaches while also studying for a BTEC at West Thames College.

George, who had never been involved in an Academy set-up prior to his time at Brentford, admitted he didn’t know much about Brentford before applying for the partnership last summer.

However he said that as soon as he began at Brentford he knew he had made the right decision and would definitely recommend that anyone thinking about applying for next year’s intake does so.

“I was just playing football in the park with some older guys,” said George.

“One of my friends told me to come down and I thought why not.

“I came down with an open mind and went to the open trial and got selected.

“I didn’t know much about Brentford or the Academy before I came down here.

“I knew they were a good Academy and that they help young players to do well.

“The only regret I have is that I wish I had come here earlier.

“I am glad that I found Brentford and it feels like home.

“It is away from my area and that helps me to focus away from distractions.

“Being at Brentford has enabled me to become a better player, captain and leader.

“Hopefully I will be somewhere in the next couple of months.

“I would tell anyone thinking about coming to definitely do it and when they do come, to be prepared to work hard.

“Not everybody gets this opportunity, in the first week we were told we were the ones selected out of 300 or so, and when you hear that it makes you feel special.

“You need to be ready to work and to take this opportunity with two hands and run with it.

“We have got very good coaches: one has his UEFA B license, one has been coaching all around the country, and one who has lots of knowledge.

“It is a really good environment to play football in and to develop as a person.

“I would tell people to definitely come.”

George had trials at a number of professional clubs as a youngster but, when none of them materialised, he admitted he felt his chance had gone.

However he never gave up on his professional football dream and sees the Youth Alliance partnership at Brentford as being the first step on a way into professional football.

“I was playing in Sunday leagues before,” said George.

“There was a chance where I went to Southend United as I got put through to the six week trial but I got released in the third week.

“It was the same at Barnet and Leyton Orient when they both released me in my second week.

“I have been in and out of Academies getting signed and released and going on trials.

“Getting to go to an Academy and go on trial is a real opportunity but when they say no it is a real set-back if they say you can’t make it any more.

“My mind-set has always been different and I have been picking myself up.

“I have got closer each time and to come to Brentford and be selected into the Development Group is better than nothing.

“I feel I am a step closer every day.

“The first few months have been really good with the support of the managers and the players.

“The players voted me in as captain which was great support.

“Recently I got slightly injured and the coaches gave me advice on what to do and I feel a better player.

“I have become a better full-back in the time I have been here.

“Before I came here I was a defensive full-back but now I am up and down and understanding the game a lot more.

“I am a better player all-round I think.”

The Youth Alliance group train at the Westway on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays with matches played in the Football Conference Youth Alliance on a Wednesday afternoon.

Training is organised and taken by coaches from The Bees’ Category Two Academy who teach the boys in the same style as they would with a full-time Academy player.

George said the boys laugh about how far they have come in the first few months of their time with the Youth Alliance.

The full-back thinks the boys take great pride in looking back and seeing how far they have come and that leads to a really good team spirit within the group.

“Everyone has come out of their shells,” said George.

“In the first few weeks people just went with who they knew but since then you can see the group come together and performances have got better.

“We have come a long way from week one to where we are now.

“Everybody makes jokes about how we are now good at doing things that we couldn’t do in week one.

“Everybody is impressed with their achievements and now they are starting to believe in themselves more.

“We have high hopes that the next time we play the Academy we should beat them hopefully.

“People are feeling good about their performances lately and they feel like they have a chance which is good because you want a team with high esteem.

“I am really proud to be the boys’ captain.”

The aim for all the boys on the course is to find a way back into football either within an Academy set-up or at a top non-league club.

Two boys from the course have already been forwarded for an extended trial with Brentford’s Youth Team and George said seeing those boys getting their chance is a great motivation for the rest of the group.

“Everybody wants to play for an Academy and we are all there because we want that pro contract,” said George.

“We want to get paid to play football and do what we love.

“The fact that our boys can train with the Academy motivates us more.

“We recently had one of our boys go to the Academy and, although he didn’t get anything, it motivates us to be in his position and take the opportunity with two hands.

“It is really good that we can get chances in the Academy.”

Away from the football the boys also spent three days a week at West Thames College in Isleworth studying for a BTEC and learning employment skills that can be put to use if a life in football doesn’t work out.

George said it is great to have that fall-back especially if it leads to a future career in another industry within football.

“The college course is really beneficial because even though not everyone will make it in football there are still people who want to have careers in football,” said George.

“It might be management, physio or just being part of the club so it is really beneficial.

“One of our boys wants to become a P.E Teacher if it doesn’t work out so he can implement all the experience he gets from this.

“It is really good that we have a backup in case football doesn’t work out.”