Febian Brandy: The once Manchester United youth prospect tells talkSPORT how his Skouted app can change football

Febian Brandy: The once Manchester United youth prospect tells talkSPORT how his Skouted app can change football
Febian Brandy has had his fair share of ups and downs during his football career.A star going up through the ranks of Manchester United‘s youth teams, he suffered numerous injuries and countless loan spells, but his love for the game has never waned.9

Febian Brandy in action for Man United in 2007

He is now using his vast experience to help the players of today with the introduction of a new app, Skouted.He tells talkSPORT.com all about his new venture, Sir Alex Ferguson and life at Old Trafford.

---

Manchester, Wales, Thailand and Greece. No, this is not the introduction to the latest Michael Palin travelogue, but instead the journey in which Brandy has taken in his quest to find football success.London is Brandy’s latest destination, only now he is not thinking purely about his own route back into the game; he is considering how to help others, too.He is late to our meeting, not by much, but this could be down to a lack of sleep.It becomes apparent in the interview, a bit of shut-eye is not high on his agenda.“We’re up in the morning until 3/4 o’clock,” Brandy says.“Talking in the WhatsApp group and because we’re all so passionate about it, waking up at that time to talk about it seems normal.”9

Brandy in FA Youth Cup action in 2007

The other night owls keeping Brandy company at unearthly hours are co-founders, Keita Orelaja, a Loughborough University student and rugby player, entrepreneur Raj Sharma and computer scientist Harjot Singh.Along with sleep deprivation, the group are bonded by their passion for Skouted, distinguished with a ‘K’ it is a mobile and online football app, launching next week.The initiative has been designed to help players and potential recruiters find each other.A year in the making, it is the football equivalent of LinkedIn, the same network that brought this collaboration together.“What Skouted does is it offers players a platform, to promote themselves, upload highlights to be viewed and assessed by hundreds, thousands of scouts and clubs,” Orelaja explains.9

Brandy, along with co-founders, Keita Orelaja and Raj Sharma visited talkSPORT HQ

“It’s really quite cool how we have done it because scouts and clubs can search, not only via your name, but through really key filters, such as age, radius from the training ground, position, their playing style, what foot they are, so we are talking about 10 filters to narrow it down and then they can go through and if they like them, take it from there.“Academies are scouting players from under 8/9 age groups and at that age it helps with who you know to get you seen by the right people and if you get missed around that age and you’re not still around the system come 13/14, scouts rarely tend to look beyond that and it’s rare you will get a look in.”To become a footballer is the aspiration of many, a relentless dream pursued in the hope of eclipsing your hero, hoping for that faint chance to make it as a professional.

Skouted was built with players in mind. Our aim is to bridge the gap between aspiring players and clubs, levelling the playing field for the industry. Post your higlights and let your talent define you. Sign up now and keep your eyes peeled. https://t.co/YM2ZhWSVKk pic.twitter.com/CzYbc6pe0s— Skouted (@Skouted_UK) January 16, 2019

The pressure is usually self-inflicted, Skouted are keen to stress there is no guarantees the site will create the next David Beckham, it is fun sprinkled with a hint of seriousness, depending on what you are aiming for.Not everyone who comes on here will be signed by Manchester United, but if you are hoping to be scouted, we have so many different levels, that you can be picked up by a club that matches your standard.“We have a competition where players will send us videos and we might feature it on our profile,” Orelaja adds.

If you can check out and follow @skouted_UK a lot of big things coming soon pic.twitter.com/p5QP6V6OLW— Danny Simpson (@dannysimpson) January 30, 2019

“I always get these DMs (direct messages) from really talented players and when you go on their profile they have no videos or highlights at all.The app has already had sign-ups from clubs in the Premier League, the buzz is growing.Players such as Jay Rodriguez, Danny Simpson and Sky Sports presenter Hayley McQueen have shown their support for it.If you take the whole scouting element away from it, what we really have is a beautiful social platform, where people can upload, share, collaborate and talk about football and secretly clubs are keeping a watch.We are not making this entirely serious; there will also be a load of fun features such as goal of the month, player of the month.“We want to end that stigma that oh it’s too late to be a footballer. If your clips are good enough and you are good enough, someone will find you.“Look at Charlie Austin, Jamie Vardy, they were all playing non-league.”9

Ian Wright is a famous late starter in football

Football history is filled with tales of late bloomers, rags to riches stories that offer a glimmer of hope to the optimists. Rickie Lambert was called up to the England squad aged 31, Didier Drogba joined Chelsea at 26.Vardys non-league route is well-documented.The most famous and widely used example, Ian Wright, played Premier League football with Arsenal for the first time at 26; he almost gave up four years earlier after disappointing trials with Southend and Brighton. The rest is of course history.Brandy had been at Man United since he was eight; he immediately impressed and continued to do so. Quick, skilful and with an eye for goal, his talent was apparent from early on.He had won the best player award at a prestigious youth tournament in Spain, with Barcelona heavily interested in him.Brandy wisely remained tight-lipped about contact when confronted by Ferguson, Manchester was his home, the boss was not a man to cross. Even at 14, he learned quickly.@FebianBrandy9

Brandy like many others had immense respect for Sir Alex

While his reputation as a fiery, no nonsense man was well documented, Ferguson had a compassionate, caring side.He once phoned an injured Brandy, out of the blue, the call was well received and meant a lot. It was typical of the boss.Sir Alex, he was first class with me, legendary, the respect for him is just different, Brandy recalls.He didn’t have to do that, I’m probably way, way at the bottom of the list and for him to go out and do that shows what kind of person he is.He treats everyone the same, from [Cristiano] Ronaldo, Rio [Ferdinand], Gary Neville, the reserves, the youth, the janitors, the receptionist, he is literally the boss, but he never makes it out that way, he just commands that with his aura.Ferguson was not the only one to take time out to offer advice. A number of first-team players such as Paul Scholes, Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs followed suit, a family orientated club as Brandy puts it.9

Ferdinand was one of the senior players to offer encouragement

Team-mates, but friends first, Brandy witnessed a number of players fail to make the cut.Hindsight suggests Skouted would have been beneficial years earlier.“When I was at United, we were coming up to 14/15 that’s your scholar stage and obviously I was fortunate,” he says.But there was other players who were there and didn’t get a professional contract and some of them were friends of mine and we would speak.“I would ask them if they had anything else lined up and they would say no, accept the situation and eventually fell out of love with football.If Skouted was available back then, all of their clips would have been uploaded and alright, they might not have had the ability to break through at Man United, they could have made it a team further down the league and restarted their career, instead of feeling they have reached the end of the road.”While the football machine had been ruthless to some, others such as Brandy were forging ahead, he continued to shine in academy and reserve sides that featured the likes of Tom Cleverley, Danny Welbeck and Danny Drinkwater, all three future Premier League winners.9

Brandy played in the youth teams with Danny Welbeck and Danny Drinkwater, both top row

His form earned him recognition at various levels for England, injury and fate intervened in the cruellest of ways, a broken foot in what would be his last appearance for the reserves under current first team manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the latest in a long line of bad luck.But rather than dwell, Brandy, now 30, smiles as he reflects, refreshing in his acceptance that it is part of the game.I’ve always had a smooth career, there have been injuries that have slowed me down a bit, but being with Man United, the England set-up, I’ve been quite fortunate throughout, he says.I’ve broken my metatarsal and for England I’ve broke my fibula, this slowed me down, but the way my career has panned out I wouldn’t change it for anything.From the age of 19, I could see I was not going to be a first team regular, I was banging on the door at that age, but not enough.“I realised at that age I was not going to be here, so started preparing myself for leaving.9

Brandy believes his chances of making the first-team would have been different without injuries

If I had been injury free and kept training the way I was training, I do believe I would have put myself into contention, all the signs were there.“I was being called up to England all the time, with the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Scott Sinclair, but that’s football, injuries happen.Andy Carroll said Febian was meant to be the next Ronaldo at one stage, Sharma adds.The West Ham striker is well-versed in dealing with injuries himself.Loan spells with the likes of Swansea City, Sheffield United and Gillingham followed, a far cry from the days of scoring the winner in the final of the Champions Youth Cup against Juventus, a period Brandy calls the best of his career.9

Brandy also spent time with Sheffield United among others

Many would shout this from the rooftop, or continuously name drop, Brandy is modest and credits his humble outlook to that of his parents.It’s down to my upbringing, I’ve always been grounded, my mum and dad always told me to remain that way.“The area I grew up in, my mum and dad would never let me get carried away.“When I speak to people they say ‘oh you’re not the everyday footballer, but what does that mean, how am I meant to be. I am just a normal person, that’s just how I have been raised.While Brandy remains reserved, his future plans will hopefully turn the next normal player into a superstar.

---

Emiliano Sala disappearance: Underwater search for missing

---

QPR manager search: Rangers favourite Marc Bircham remains

---

Lionel Messi stats: A look at the Barcelona star's goals and

---

Simon Jordan believes Adam Johnson should be made an example of, as a cautionary tale for youngsters that footballers are not above the law. The former England winger will reportedly leave HM Prison Moorland on March 22 after serving half a six-year sentence handed to him in March 2016.
The Times & The Sunday Times

---

The ten longest goal droughts in the Premier League, including Manchester United, Manchester City and Leicester City stars Posted on March 1, 2019 Even some of the very best strikers to have graced the Premier League suffered from the occasional goal drought.
Premier League stats: Arsenal and Tottenham stars on longest

---

Tottenham 'plot improved offer' for Real Betis midfielder Giovani Lo Celso after initial bid was rejected Tottenham are reportedly plotting an improved bid for Betis' Giovani Lo Celso Spurs have seen a £53million bid rejected as Betis hold out for a much higher fee They hope the Argentine will play well at Copa America to […]
Tottenham to make improved Giovani Lo Celso transfer offer

---

Dec 03, 2018 · The inaugural winner of the women's Ballon d'Or, Ada Hegerberg, was asked to perform a twerk live on stage to celebrate collecting her award before Luka Modric won the men's prize
First woman Ballon d'Or winner Ada Hegerberg asked to 'twerk

---

However, according to Sky Sports News, Newcastle have now made the breakthrough in negotiations with the MLS side and now appear on course to sign the 25-year-old. The report claims that Almiron is currently travelling to England in order to finalise the transfer before the end of the month.
Football gossip: Pogba, Toure, Morata, Llorente, Bailly

---

Daniel James has reportedly agreed personal terms with Manchester United. Reports earlier this month suggested that Swansea and the Red Devils were close to agreeing a £15million deal for the highly-rated winger. Getty 2 Daniel James scored in his second Wales appearance The 21-year-old has just a season left on his contract with the
Who is Daniel James? Profile of Swansea winger nearing

---

PSG star Neymar pushing club to sign under-fire Barcelona ace Philippe Coutinho in summer transfer Neymar has urged Paris Saint-Germain to sign unsettled Barcelona star Philippe Coutinho, according to reports. Coutinho, 26, has struggled to adapt to life in talkSPORT 1 week ago
Philippe Coutinho: Barcelona star damages Neymar relationship

---

Benitez defends his decision to prioritise Premier League over FA Cup January 14, 2019 by Football Paradise Staff Reporter 1 Rafael Benitez has vigorously defended his policy of not risking Newcastle's Premier League status by chasing FA Cup glory.
Rafael Benitez defends decision to prioritise Premier League
sportstons.com/soccer/rafael-benitez-defends-decision-to-prioritise-premier-league-over-fa-cup/
Rafael Benitez has vigorously defended his policy of not risking Newcastle's Premier League status by chasing FA Cup glory. The Magpies have been heavily criticised by the club's fans for fielding a weakened line-up when his side were held 1-1 at home by Blackburn in the third round.
Rafael Benitez defends decision to prioritise Premier League

---

Ruben Loftus-Cheek believes there is "no reason" for him to leave Chelsea and has hinted he could extend his contract at Stamford Bridge. The 23-year-old has scored nine goals this term and is confident he can put a long-term back problem behind him to reach his full potential.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek Claims He Has 'No Reason' to Leave as

---

uefa champions league live streaming youtube bt sport
live streaming champions league kostenlos
diretta gol premier league live streaming
nonton premier league live streaming
live streaming of champions league final 2018
dhaka premier league 2018 live streaming
best free live streaming champions league
football live streaming mobile app
champions league watch live uk
premier league live streaming xbox
live streaming champions league indonesia
live streaming of uefa champions league
champions league 2018 streaming live gratuit
uefa champions league live streaming youtube
pokhara premier league live streaming
champions league final live stream usa
bangladesh premier league live streaming gazi tv
champions league semi final live streaming
champions league live streaming in mobile
champions league live stream konferenz
champions league live streaming twitter
isl premier league live streaming free
bangladesh premier league live streaming free
champions league live streaming free english
premier league live streaming totalsportek
champions league live streaming ten sports
premier league live streaming sportek
champions league live streaming switzerland
dhaka premier league live match streaming
kazakhstan premier league live stream
best free live streaming sites champions league
champions league live streaming bt sport
premier league live streaming batman
juventus ajax champions league live streaming
ghana premier league live streaming
live streaming champions league manchester city
football live streaming japan
reddit champions league live streaming
champions league live stream guardian
indian premier league live streaming
where to watch champions league live streaming
premier league live streaming usa
premier league live stream deutschland
champions league live streaming cr7
champions league live stream xfinity
champions league draw live streaming free
champions league live streaming ten sports reddit
football live streaming sites twitter
hockey champions league live streaming
football live streaming bundesliga
champions league live streaming sites
champions league live streaming ipad
caf champions league live streaming free
premier league live streaming low quality
champions league final live streaming online
premier league live streaming india
bangladesh premier league live streaming hotstar
uefa champions league live streaming channels in india
maharashtra premier league live streaming
champions league final live streaming india
psg champions league live streaming
sbs champions league live streaming
premier league live stream singapore
english premier league live streaming manchester united
how to watch premier league live streaming
premier league live streaming subscription
premier league live stream manchester united
live football streaming hd app
premier league darts live stream reddit
premier league live stream buffstream
champions league final youtube live streaming
manchester city vs liverpool champions league live streaming
live uefa champions league live streaming
watch real madrid vs juventus live streaming of champions league
indian football premier league live streaming
watch indian premier league live streaming
real madrid vs liverpool final champions league live streaming
uefa champions league 2018 live streaming youtube
champions league live streaming greece
mumbai premier league 2019 live streaming
uefa champions league group stage draw 2018 19 live streaming
saudi premier league live streaming
watch premier league live streaming online free
gibraltar premier league live stream
premier league live streaming free ipad
espn uefa champions league live streaming
premier league live stream reddit
champions league live streaming star sports
barca vs psg champions league live streaming
champions league live streaming bein
saurashtra premier league live streaming
premier league live stream man utd
english premier league liverpool vs chelsea live streaming
champions league live streaming sopcast
caribbean premier league live streaming
football live streaming in hd
champions league final live streaming hd
african champions league live streaming
champions league live stream kijken
best live streaming premier league
juventus vs tottenham champions league live streaming
facebook champions league live streaming
uefa champions league live streaming free online
champions league live streaming channel
premier league live streaming free
liverpool premier league live streaming
premier league live tv streaming free
football live streaming england vs croatia
champions hockey league live streaming
dhaka premier division cricket league live streaming
inter vs tottenham champions league live streaming
darts premier league live streaming
football live streaming sites app for android
champions league live stream juventus manchester united
football live streaming twitter
afghanistan premier league live streaming youtube
premier league live streaming channels
premier league live streaming uk
football live streaming joker
champions league live stream uefa
premier league live net stream channel
live streaming of champions league quarter final draw
football live streaming juventus vs genoa
premier league live streaming football
#ajax #amsterdam #espndeportes #laliga #fcbarcelona #manutd #amrabat #zinedinezidane #Ajax #Manchesterunited #ronaldo #ucl #footy #juventus #Chelsea #manchesterunited #beinsports #united #nike #europaleague #manchestercity #Like4Like #Cristiano #foxdeportes #CristianoRonaldo #bundesliga #telemundodeportes #meme #Football #sports #skysports #Ronaldo #RealMadrid #manchester #realmadrid #toronto #football #foxsports #oshawa #likes4likes #news #Futbol #liverpool #Casillas #futbol #hakimziyech #premierleague #tottenham #ajaxamsterdam #realmadrid #durhamregion #transfers #beinsportsusa