Ben Walster MK Dons youth - great mate, played for the same football team for 7 years and been to the same school since year 5. But now he is studying sports science and is playing for the reserves team. Played against Marlon King about a month ago. :L ^^)
I know the entire Worthing Football Club squad and go to college with most of their youth team. I also used to spit shine Lomana LuaLua's football boots when I was a young child.
Cameron Jerome - Birmingham City's former England U21 Striker
When I found out Cardiff had given him a pro deal I almost fell off my chair... and then when he went to brum for 4 mill... well, let's just say it was a massive shock :O
still never seen him actually score a goal when I watch him play live... but that goal against Liverpool last season? Awesome!
Know a few others too, mainly managers/coaches though, ex-Huddersfield players like Ronnie Jepson, Peter Jackson, etc
went to school with Junior Bent who used to play for Huddersfield and Bristol City (dunno if anybody else) but I don't think he's in the game cos he'd be too old now
Jake Picton. Both used to play in our school team before he signed for Scunthorpe United. He was released at the end of last season so on here he will be a free agent.
I used to play five a side on Tuesday nights with Jimmy Ryan (plays for accrington) I know Steven Connors (plays for fleetwood) and jay spearing has ploughed my sister lol.
One of my mates facebook statuses was 'why do SI make me so **** on FM lol' on the day of release. Haven't looked for him ingame, but he only plays semi pro, might load up a lower league game sometime and have a look.
Joel Skeldon, former Walsall youth goalkeeper, got released a year or so ago, not sure if he is on this years, but was a free agent last year.
Dean Lee, Blues youth RM, got released a couple of years ago, not sure if he is still in the game or not, again last time i saw him on the game, free agent.
And claim to fame... Daniel Sturridge played with him a few times, got on well with him, but couldn't get near the GIT!
My best mate Matty Cross when he was at under 15's level for Coventry played against Danny Sturridge when he was at Man City, and marked him out the game never been let to live that one down XD
Mark Hughes came into the hotel i worked at for afternoon tea, when he was out of football between city and fulham jobs, came and had a brief chat with me and my boss...
And Geoff Hurst lives about 1/2mile away from my stepdad's house
I know a lad called Joe Jones in the Leicester City U 18s, same class as me in primary and a good mate, plays for Northern Ireland at youth level, got him on facebook too and it wa really surreal to see him on FM.