Football: Student scores trial with professional team

Ben Matthews at Barrow AFC against Lancaster City

Ben Matthews has jumped straight out of the classroom and into the changing room of Barrow AFC.

Barrow, looking to earn promotion to League Two this season, spotted the youngster whilst he trained at Hopwood Hall College’s Football Academy as the college’s captain and centre-back.

Three Hopwood players were invited to Barrow's pre-season training; Jacob Frost, Joseph Richards and Ben Matthews.

Having worked with the three students, Barrow decided to take Matthews along with them as a trialist in their pre-season friendlies, where he participated in the 3-1 win over Carlisle United, the narrow 2-3 defeat to Newcastle United U-23s and the 5-0 win over Lancaster City.

Matthews said of his first taste of professional football: “I have grown so much as a person and a player over the last few weeks.

“Being around the other players and seeing how professional they are rubs off easily and has made me realise what you must sacrifice to reach the top level.

“The training is so intense, but really enjoyable. The matches are a big test but the new manager, Ian Evatt, has given me so much confidence just by telling me how he believes in me.

“I just have to get my head down now and prove myself, I know how important it is to understand that I haven’t made it yet.”