Swapping Champions League dreams for the American dream

The end of March is when things start getting really serious at clubs up and down the English Football League.

But it's not just promotion races or relegation scraps dominating the agenda as the season draws to an end.

Behind-the-scenes decisions are made and meetings arranged which will affect not just the months ahead, but the careers and even lives of hundreds of promising footballers who have spent the past two years on academy scholarships.

For around half of those, extended scholarships or lucrative professional contracts are dangled, keeping hopes and dreams of 'making it' alive for at least another year.

For others, when the clocks go forward, their time is nearly up.

So what happens next?

'Have to be prepared for a career outside football'

The EFL's Youth Development Week is a perfect time to shine a light on what happens to scholars released by their clubs at the end of their League Football Education (LFE) apprenticeship.

LFE was formed 21 years ago by the EFL and Professional Footballers' Association to provide apprenticeships for 16-18 year-old scholars at EFL clubs. Around 600 boys join the programme each year.

At the end around half of them will earn extended scholarships or professional contracts while of the other half, most will end up in higher or further education, an apprenticeship, an American scholarship or part-time work in semi-pro football.

Last year 16% of LFE apprentices went into higher or further education, with a third of those opting to study at universities in the United States.

They combine four years of full-time football with studying for a degree in a country where football culture is booming - a World Cup looming in 2026 and with Lionel Messi and a host of former Premier League stars now lighting up the MLS.

"Our trustees have always strongly believed in education alongside football development," said LFE chief executive officer Sarah Stephen.

"At some point even those who get a pro contract won't be in the game. We have to prepare them all for an alternative career, whether that's inside or outside football.

"Before they have even started, part of the welcome presentation is to show them where some of the boys are now - boys who aren't necessarily playing football but are out in America or some have careers playing in Sweden and are doctors, physios, firefighters.

"It's got to be a life-enriching experience for everyone. Ofsted said we are absolutely developing extremely resilient, confident, articulate young men ready for their next steps, whether that's as a footballer or whatever they choose to do."

LFE send development mentors into clubs, provide mental health support and run a life skills programme covering issues like addiction, personal finances, sexual health, consent and, in certain regions, knife crime.

They also track scholars for three years after their apprenticeship ends, and provide further support where needed, while all scholars become PFA members for life.

Each May around 200 players attend trials for released players, where 95% get some form of interest from clubs in the EFL or National League or from UK or, increasingly, US universities.

So, let's meet some of the kids in America...

'Parking next to Lamborghinis in my Toyota'

Maximus Rigby spent nine years playing for Leeds and shared pitches with Anthony Gordon, Jarell Quansah and Oscar Bobb before being released in 2021

Maximus Rigby, a 21-year-old midfielder from York, was signed by Leeds United aged nine. After signing a scholarship at 16, he was released two years later in 2021. He has spent the past four years studying business marketing at Saint Francis University in Pennsylvania while playing Division One football for the Red Flash.

"As a kid you don't understand the dynamic of how the football industry works when you sign at that age, especially being such a high level," Rigby says.

"You're like 'wow, this is a pretty straightforward line, all I have to do is keep playing and I'm going to be there in a few years'. You realise along the way it's not like that.

"As you get older you start to see lads you've been with for a good period of time get released, whether they are too small, not technical, whatever the reason, then the questions start to come around you. You start to feel the pressure, this isn't a game you just sit around and enjoy any more. That's when it really hits you."

And Rigby said things got "really competitive" when Leeds won promotion to the Premier League in 2020.

"I was parking next to Lamborghinis in my Toyota," he smiled. "It shows you are so close but so far. You're training with guys that are famous millionaires, but there's that element of they are just human.

"When you're with them you think 'I can strive for this, for sure' – it does motivate you and you can see this is not too far away if you get a bit lucky or put in the work."

Rigby, though, had realised it might not work out. He didn't put "all his eggs in one basket" with Leeds or anywhere, attending a number of trials, which, in turn, opened the door to the States - and a culture shock at first.

"Going out there you have no idea what you are about to do - when I got out here after a long journey you go into a dorm room with nothing on the wall, like a prison room, you think 'I've just made the mistake of my life'," he added.

"But give it a week or two and you make friends, learn so much, and you're so busy you don't miss home, you just soak in an amazing opportunity.

"I think a lot of people get turned off by the whole school aspect, but I think people underestimate it. You learn a lot. I have team-mates from all over the world.

"There's a big misconception about the style and level of the football out here. Some guys are 22 or 23 and have professional experience in France or Germany.

"It's been a blast, a crazy journey but one I'm thankful for, with a lot of lessons along the way."

'There's a guy here who played in Serie A... suddenly Sheff Wed under-18s isn't so impressive'

Alex Hare is in his final year at Tampa

Alex Hare, a 22-year-old goalkeeper from Derby, played for his beloved Rams from age seven to 16 before being picked up by Sheffield Wednesday. He was released in 2021 and opted to move to the US, spending time at Missouri State and Coastal Carolina University before transferring to the University of Tampa where he will start his final season with the Spartans in August alongside a sports management degree.

"My dad's always been a very realistic person, so he drilled into me from a young age 'enjoy your football while you can, but don't have the idea everything is going to be sunshine and rainbows, because the chances are you're probably not going to make it'," said Hare matter-of-factly.

"When I was released by Derby it was tough to take. It was like your girlfriend's dumped you x100. It's horrible, especially with it being the club you supported growing up, and still do."

It was a feeling he experienced again with Wednesday two years later - but Hare says the LFE did a good job of highlighting the routes available to him long before he was released by the Owls.

"Early on I recognised America as a really good pathway for me, but when you're 14 you're a typical naïve footballer thinking you're going to be playing Champions League by the time you're 22," he added.

"You get to 17, 18 and reality starts to hit. You see a lot of very good players in age groups above you and it's not happening for them and you start to shift your mentality.

"The America route seemed great because I get a degree and I can set my future up in a better way off the pitch - it's still full time football for four years, a lot of lads who end up dropping into non-league don't get that, and I get the experience of living and going to university in America.

"I felt it would be a better move for me and my life and it has been, I'm very glad I did it."

Thanks to his coach, Hare has already had a trial with second-tier professional side the Tampa Bay Rowdies and hopes to make a career in the game when he graduates.

"The standard surprised me, it was a lot better than I thought it would be," he added. "You don't realise how many Europeans there are.

"Without sounding arrogant I expected to come to Tampa, a Division Two school, with the best football resume but there's a guy here who has made an appearance for Bologna in Serie A - all of a sudden Wednesday under-18s isn't looking too impressive.

"I do worry if I go back to England I'd have to drop a few tiers down. I'm not sure if I'd be able to get a move where it would be worth giving up the life I have out here.

"I definitely want to work in football, it's my passion, whether that's going into coaching, analysis, player representation. I think I want to stay in America, there's more opportunities with the game growing, and it's 26 degrees in mid-March too."

Click here to learn more about the work of the LFE and for more information on youth development within the EFL, head here.