Deacon Explains How School Trip Led To Arsenal Career

Arsenal striker Roarie Deacon has revealed how a normal school trip designed to get him out of his lesson – led to a life changing career in football.

The fleet-footed speedster signed scholarship terms during the summer, and has been one of the many success stories of this campaign, bagging 4 goals from an unfamiliar striker position. But Roarie doesn’t make up a ‘sob story’ to his success, on the contrary, he claims the road to being a Young Gun came by chance.

“I was nine-years-old and a pupil at Eardley School in South London.”

“Arsenal used to send a coach once a week to train our school team and one day we were all invited up for a tour of Highbury and to play a game in the JVC Centre. After the kick around, another boy and I were invited to go along to an Arsenal soccer school.”

The surprise of an invite to the soccer school was only matched by what followed. Deacon quickly proved himself as a promising young player, and was being promoted through the ranks rapidly.

“I remember that the coaches kept taking me out of the age group I was in and they put me in a higher age group – then another and then another. I ended up playing three or four years above my age and the coaches said that I had done so well that they wanted me to go along to the Arsenal Academy for a trial.”

After impressing the coaches during his week long work out, a contract was put forward, and the quiet Londoner had gone from school boy to footballer in a matter of months.

The pacy starlet also admitted he wasn’t always a forward, indeed scoring goals went against all the early principles he was tough, as a left back.

“I was thrilled to say the least. The trial went well and I was invited to sign, which I did without hesitation.

“I was a left back when i came to Arsenal, but after a while I was asked to play on the wing. After a little while longer I was moved into attack and now I tend to play as an out and out striker or in the hole behind the strikers.

His inspirational story epitomises the philosophy that life is about taking your opportunities, but it’s also important to recognise your destiny, and reach your full potential – something Roarie is determined to do.

“My dad used to drive me up from South London up to Hale End twice a week. I suppose the travelling time is about three or four hours a day, but it was more when I was at school.”

“I know that if I didn’t go on that school trip, I would not have the chance I have now and I suppose that is why I am determined to make the most of it.”

Quotes Via The Official Arsenal Magazine.

Deacon returns to action on Saturday as the Under 18’s travel to Ipswich to take on the Tractor Boys. Expect Roarie to feature in that game, as he focuses on fulfilling his potential and reaching the big time.

Article By – J.Sanderson