Swindon boy signed by Chippenham Town in record time
He already has international experience as well
A Year 10 pupil from Swindon has been offered a contract by Chippenham Town FC’s U16s in record time.
It took 15-year-old Bubacarr only five weeks of trialling, which is the quickest any player has ever received an offer for the team.
The young striker began playing back in Gambia when he was four years old and has been with a number of clubs since coming to the UK, including Chesterfield, Swindon Town’s Boys Advanced team and Ferndale Rodbourne YCFC.
Bubacarr told Greatest Hits Radio: “At first it was difficult to get in the environment, but then I started settling in with the team mates and the coaches and then played football against teams like Oxfordshire.
“And then I think it was like the second game I played, that Saturday he said ‘I'm going to offer your contract to play with us for the under-16s.’”
He will now train with the team throughout pre-season with his first official match scheduled against Forest Green Rovers after the summer break.
At Chippenham, the U16s train three times a week after school.
“At first it was difficult to balance school and training, but now I'm settling in, so I'll be in school in the mornings and then afterwards, I'll go training and then do like all my homework and stuff like that. I manage it quite well”, Bubacarr said.
The young footballer already has international experience as well, having recently travelled to Barcelona with his STFC team.
Over the course of the two days of the Football Barcelona Cup, Bubacarr lead his team to victory by scoring seven goals.
He was also named a Player Ambassador, a title which recognises not only his performance on the pitch but also his leadership qualities and professional attitude.
“Playing with STFC and going to Barcelona was great and now that I have a contract with Chippenham, I’ve got a real pathway to a professional career”, he added.
“I want to get a scholarship which would get me a two-year scholarship contract. That means I could have the opportunity to train with the first team and then other teams could see me. Then I could be playing for the first team and then that means that, hopefully, the end result is being in the Premier League.”
Throughout his journey, Bubacarr has been supported by his family and friends as well as his school, Lawn Manor Academy.
“I’m very proud to have been identified for my ability and to be going up the levels. But more than anything I want to make my family proud and that’s what’s made me thrive the most through football”, he explained.
“They gave me this opportunity to get recognised.”