Every player starts somewhere

I get an email in my inbox. A new player has contacted me and is interested in joining our team. Let's call him Theo.

"Hi," he says. "My name is Theo. I saw your team on Instagram, and I like the spirit and ethos of your club. I've been living in Berlin for a year or so, and I'm looking for a team to join. Are you guys open for a trial?"

I tell Theo – sure. Come down on Monday and see how you like it.

I give Theo my WhatsApp contact and tell him to write me there. We have a little conversation about his time in Berlin so far. He's enjoying it, but he's finding it a little difficult to make friends. People keep leaving Berlin, and he's looking for a community to be part of.

I tell Theo our process. If you come down and it’s a good fit—the level is right and you like it—you can train with us for a month. After a month, we can decide together whether you’ll sign up for the team. That should be long enough to know whether the team is right for you, and if you are right for the team.

I ask Theo a few questions about him as a player. Where do you like to play? What are your biggest strengths? He tells me he's always played in defence and can play anywhere across the backline.

“No,” I tell him, “which side do you prefer?”

“The left,” he says.

He tells me he's quite technical, good in the air, and fights hard for his team.

I tell the team that Theo will be joining us on Monday. If you see a confused face looking for a bunch of guys he's never seen before, that's probably him. Say hi, and make him feel welcome.

Theo arrives at training for his first session. I go up to him, shake his hand and introduce myself. I tell him, "I want you to feel comfortable. Just play your normal game and enjoy yourself. We’re a friendly bunch, and there’s no reason to feel nervous."

Before we warm up, I remind the team that this guy right here in the Rayo Vallecano shirt is Theo, and he’s joining us for training today. We ask him to say a few words to introduce himself, and welcome him into the group.

Theo has a solid session. He’s quite technical, good in the air, and fights hard for his team. He tells me he’ll p better when he’s more fit.

I tell him, “I know, Theo. I know. Don’t worry about it. Just keep enjoying yourself.”

Theo comes back next week and plays even better.