Carlos Peel
Carlos Peel. I was born in Sunderland on January 11th 1989. I was born into a working class family living on the outskirts of Sunderland. I moved house several times before I’d even hit my mid-teen years. I had a pretty ordinary childhood; nothing different to the usual teenager up until about the age of 17.
I’d played Football in the local leagues for several years; I didn’t even play in the top league- not because I wasn’t good enough, simply because I didn’t want to. I’d turned down numerous opportunities from clubs in divisions above me; but I wasn’t bothered. I didn’t class it as too serious and I played for the fun with my mates. I also played for my School team, we were pretty successful. In the 5 years I spent there, we won 4 league titles, 3 league cups and two county cups. It was at that last county cup win when I got spotted. We were playing another local school… they only had two players who didn’t feature for a local academy. Whereas us, we had just one player that featured for an academy. I was marking the ‘best striker in the North’ and I had him in my back pocket the whole game. Both teams had known several scouts were watching from numerous academies.
It was only a couple of days later; I received a letter from one Niall Quinn. He’d personally sent out a letter asking me to join Sunderland academy. No trial, no nothing. Just one contract, for a certain Carlos Peel. I only had one answer. I played two seasons in the Sunderland first team until a serious injury ended my career. Niall had always had sympathy for me. Some said it was the only reason he took me under his wing. I said it was a club hero doing it because of his love for the game. I followed him everywhere, and made notes on everything. I’d built up some respect in the game thanks to Niall. I just needed to find the right way in.
Carlos Peel. I was born in Sunderland on January 11th 1989. I was born into a working class family living on the outskirts of Sunderland. I moved house several times before I’d even hit my mid-teen years. I had a pretty ordinary childhood; nothing different to the usual teenager up until about the age of 17.
I’d played Football in the local leagues for several years; I didn’t even play in the top league- not because I wasn’t good enough, simply because I didn’t want to. I’d turned down numerous opportunities from clubs in divisions above me; but I wasn’t bothered. I didn’t class it as too serious and I played for the fun with my mates. I also played for my School team, we were pretty successful. In the 5 years I spent there, we won 4 league titles, 3 league cups and two county cups. It was at that last county cup win when I got spotted. We were playing another local school… they only had two players who didn’t feature for a local academy. Whereas us, we had just one player that featured for an academy. I was marking the ‘best striker in the North’ and I had him in my back pocket the whole game. Both teams had known several scouts were watching from numerous academies.
It was only a couple of days later; I received a letter from one Niall Quinn. He’d personally sent out a letter asking me to join Sunderland academy. No trial, no nothing. Just one contract, for a certain Carlos Peel. I only had one answer. I played two seasons in the Sunderland first team until a serious injury ended my career. Niall had always had sympathy for me. Some said it was the only reason he took me under his wing. I said it was a club hero doing it because of his love for the game. I followed him everywhere, and made notes on everything. I’d built up some respect in the game thanks to Niall. I just needed to find the right way in.
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