HUDDERSFIELD teenager Sheiden Rogers is set to swap pulling pints for pulling on the shirt of a Swedish football team.
The 19-year-old former Huddersfield Town junior is hoping to resurrect his playing career by joining the ranks of Ytterhogdals IK.
For Rogers it means on March 30 he will be trading grafting at the High Park public house on Bradley Road for 13 weeks working with a club who currently play in Division Three of the Swedish League.
It is an opportunity that Rogers cannot wait to take after his progress as a scholarship player with hometown club Town came cruelly undone.
Having trialled with Manchester United and Liverpool as a junior, Rogers initially joined Bradford City, but at the age of 13 joined the Town scheme.
“When I was younger I went for a lot of trials but in the end I initially ended up getting a two-year offer with Bradford,” explained Rogers.
“But then came the chance to join Town at 13 and I was in Deighton at the time, so it was great.”
However, the worst of luck struck when he suffered a serious ankle injury.
“I had a triple break and dislocation of my ankle in the pre-season ahead of the second year of my scholarship,” said Rogers.
“It came at just the wrong time and I spent the season that I should have been working to win my professional contract trying to recover and get fit.
“I really didn’t get to play much and it worked against my chances of becoming a professional.”
While admitting it left him wondering whether he still had a chance in football, Rogers stuck to the task.
“Once I left time Town I did give up hope a little, but I did look at trying to get started again in semi-professional football,” he added.
“I also was thinking about maybe looking at other options and perhaps becoming a personal trainer, but I also had the chance to play for Brighouse Town and then I moved to AFC Emley where I am now.”
However, Rogers then received a call from the League Football Education (LFE), which is a partnership set up by The Football League and The Professional Footballers’ Association to manage the apprenticeship schemes at League clubs.
“It was great to get the call and it is just a fantastic opportunity,” said Rogers.
“You are working out there from Monday to Friday training at the club and then playing as well.
“The trip is all paid for and then I actually get paid on top for the work that I do with the club.
“It is going to be very different and probably a different way of playing.
“However, with the trial schemes in England you often only get six weeks, but 13 weeks is a really good opportunity.
“It gives you time to get to know the club and it gives them time to get to know you.
“Initially it is just the 13 weeks and then you have to hope the club want you to stay or another club shows an interest, but it is just great to have the chance and have a fresh start.
“I go there with no preconceptions and they will have none about me, and I am totally confident that the ankle is strong and that problem is behind me.
“I have got my international clearance now so I can’t play in England at the moment, so I am really looking forward to getting to Sweden and playing a few games.”
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