I want to find a lad and fulfil his dream of becoming a professional footballer, says Rob Quinn

FORMER Crystal Palace midfielder Rob Quinn is playing a key role to find local players to make the grade at the second attempt.



Quinn, 37, who signed for the Crystal Palace at the age of fourteen before making 29 first team appearances between 1995-1998, has enjoyed the highs and lows of professional football as well as playing for four non-league clubs here in Kent.

After leaving Selhurst Park, he made 140 appearances for Brentford, before playing for Oxford United (29 appearances) and finishing his professional career with 86 appearances for Bristol Rovers between 2002-2004.

He dropped down into non-league football and played for Stevenage Borough, Gravesend & Northfleet, AFC Wimbledon, Welling United, Cray Wanderers and Sevenoaks Town.

Keith Levett - who is Kevin Watson’s assistant manager at Ryman League Division One North club Chatham Town - and Quinn are directors of FCA Ltd.

“This time last year I set up Crystal Palace Foundation Academy to allow 16-19 year olds, who did not quite made the grade at a professional academy yet, to continue to pursue this dream but more importantly gain good academic grades should this not work out,” explained Quinn.

“I am in partnership with VLUK, an independent education provider and all boys enrol on a two-year Btec Level 3 extended diploma in sport, which can take them to university and help them pursue a variety of careers in the sport and leisure industry.”

Quinn has arranged three trial dates, two this month and one in May, in Beckenham.

“The scheme is based at Goals, Beckenham North, Copers Cope Road, opposite to the main Crystal Palace Academy and this is where boys train, study and play games,” said Quinn, who has six caps for the for Republic of Ireland at under 21 level.

“We will have two teams playing in the Conference Youth Alliance and one in the British College League next season.

“The scheme has been a big success this year and two boys are currently training with the main Crystal Palace Academy after impressing this season.

“I try to be honest with all the boys about what level they may end up playing and try to get them to be realistic about their ambitions.

“Competition is fierce and the sooner they realise that a decent living can be made from non-league football alongside a good job, the better.

“My aim for next season is to build links with non-league clubs to promote players who I think may be ready to stop up to senior football. This will benefit both club and player.

“I have a great affinity for Crystal Palace as I joined them at fourteen and went through the ranks all the way to the first team and now I’m head coach of the under 11’s in the Academy.

“From my experience in both professional and non-league football, I try to help the boys be adaptable to different ways of playing.

“I want to hopefully help the club find a lad for whatever reason may have not been seen yet to fulfil his dream of being a professional footballer.

“However, the most important part of my scheme is to give the boys the opportunity to get a fantastic education alongside their dream of playing football at whatever level that may be.”

Quinn said that he wants to link up with six forms and colleges here in Kent.

Trials take place on Thursday 10 April, Thursday 17 April and Thursday 29 May, between 10-00-14:00 and take place at Goals Beckenham North, Copers Cope Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 1NZ

For further details please email  robquinnacademy@gmail.com and visit www.vluk.org.