One of the most pressurised times in a footballer's career can be when they find themselves without a club, and act eagerly to impress those managers who make the decision to take a player on trial.
Over the years, League Two side Bradford City have completed several signings following successful trial periods, including Nahki Wells, Greg Leigh and most recently Tyler French, as it is a helpful way to boost the quality of the squad with little risk when it comes to panic buying or a lack of scouting knowledge on the player. However, there are those players who are less fortunate, and simply just do not show enough ability to earn a contract at Valley Parade; but where are they now?
Tom Elliott- on trial at the same time as Wells, the two fought it out to earn the striker contract available at the time; and it was in fact Elliott who bested his Bermudian counterpart. Elliott was born and began his career at Leeds United, but in his five years at the club he endured loan spells at Macclesfield Town, Bury and Rotherham United. Following injury problems he was released from Leeds and signed a short-term contract at Scottish side Hamilton Academical, but failed to have an impact as the Accies were relegated. The forward found himself on trial at Bradford the following Summer, who actually offered him a contract which he rejected and opted to sign for Deitmar Hamann's Stockport County. After making 42 appearances in Lancashire Elliott moved on again and has since played for Cambridge United, AFC Wimbledon and Millwall, where he made over fifty appearances for each, but now finds himself at the same level as the Bantams, plying his trade for 'The Class of 92's' Salford City. He is contracted to the Ammies on a two and a half year contract.
Adam Drury- the attacking full-back began his career at League Two side Grimsby Town but was snapped up by Manchester City at just the age of 12 before signing his first professional contract in 2011. He failed to ever made an appearance for the Premier League side, but did spend loan spells at Burton Albion and St Mirren. At Burton, he originally signed on loan for a month but impressed in his short time there and it was extended until the end of the season. In fact, Drury's last ever appearance for the Brewers was in their 3-2 victory against City in the 2013 play-off semi-final. After St Mirren, Drury had unsuccessful trials at Leeds, Bradford and Blackpool before joining Bristol Rovers on a non-contract; which he cancelled one week later for personal reasons. Drury went on to fail a trial at then-National League side Lincoln City and Rotherham before signings on dual-registration terms at Gainsborough Trinity. However, after just over a month at the club, he left the club by mutual agreement and signed for Grimsby Borough FC, which was within his hometown. He remains there to this day.
Nortei Nortey- the man with the most notorious name in football, Nortei Nortey was on trial at City at the beginning of this season. Upon spending his youth career with Chelsea, the right-back was released from Stamford Bridge in July of 2013 and was earned himself a contract at Maidenhead United. After a year at York Road Welling United snapped him up on a free transfer, where he made 32 appearances in Welling's unfortunate relegation season and scored one goal. He jumped ship however to stay in the National League, joining Wrexham but he failed to really have an impact at the Welsh side and found himself as a back-up on the bench for the first half of the season. Unhappy, Nortey moved on loan to Solihull Moors for the remainder of the season, making 18 appearances and impressing enough to helps the Moors stay up and he signed for Solihull permanently. Nortey left after a season to Dover Athletic, and after two years was released from the club where he found himself on trial at the Bantams in League Two, even featuring against European Champions Liverpool in pre-season but did not meet Gary Bowyer's expectations and was let go; but did not struggle to find himself a job, joining relegation strugglers Chorley in the National League.
Theo Richardson- the Manchester United goalkeeper was on trial at City during the 2018/19 relegation pre-season, but was not unfamiliar to West Yorkshire. The keeper had started his career at neighbours Leeds but opted to join the Red Devils after a trial in early 2017, after finding it hard to get chances at Elland Road as he was battling with the likes of Bailey Peackock-Farrell and Harrison Male, but encountered the same problem at Old Trafford. Since being released by United he also failed trials at Queens Park Rangers and Birmingham City as well as Bradford. Since his break from football, Richardson has made the brave decision to find first team football down in non-league at Cleethorpes Town and is planning on building his way up the leagues. At the age of 21, it is possible Richardson will return to the football league one day.
Gordon Greer- veteran defender Greer began his career in Scotland, at then-Scottish first division side Clyde. Greer was then signed by Blackburn Rovers for a fee of £250k, where he made his debut against Spanish giants Barcelona. Whilst at Rovers he was sent out on loan to Stockport County, but made just five appearances before Blackburn was released and returned to Scotland with Kilmarnock to make over 100 appearances for the Killie, gaining enough recognition to play for the Scotland 'B' team. After rejecting a contract from Kilmarnock, Greer went on to play for Doncaster Rovers, Swindon Town and Brighton & Hove Albion, making over 200 appearances, before returning back to Blackburn on a free transfer, signing a one year contract at Ewood Park. After being released again by Rovers, Greer spent trials at City as well as briefly Doncaster, but eventually turned down both contract offers and once again returned to a former club; Kilmarnock. He has since been released, but at the age of 39 it is unlikely he will return to football and will possibly look into a coaching career.
Kyle Naughton- the Yorkshire born defender was actually originally an attacker, and acted as a winger in his early days at Sheffield United, but struggled to impress whilst doing so. It was in the 2007/08 pre-season when then and now manager Stuart McCall gave Naughton a chance to earn himself a contract at Valley Parade, but he failed to show McCall what he was capable of and remained at the Blades, where manager Kevin Blackwell converted the outcast Naughton into a full-back; and potentially saved his career. He flourished in his new role alongside Kyle Walker, who was also at Sheffield United too, and the duo were both snapped up by Tottenham Hotspur for a combined fee of £9m. Whilst Walker excelled at Spurs, Naughton failed to do so and was shipped out on loan to Middlesborough, Leicester City and Norwich City, meaning he'd have to wait three years before making his competitive league debut for Spurs. In 2015 the full-back switched England for Wales, joining Swansea City for a reported £5m fee, which has proved to be an excellent fee for 164 convincing performances for the Swans, even sticking with them during their relegation to the Championship. It is fair to say that City have missed out on a real coup in Naughton.
Gary Woods- having spent his youth career at Premier League giants Manchester United, Woods made a free transfer switch to Doncaster Rovers in March 2009 and fought off the competition of Neil Sullivan to make the number one shirt his own. He actually played 49 of the 53 games Donny played when winning the League One title in 2013, but was surprisingly released and taken on trial at Valley Parade, as he had a good connection with goalkeeper coach Lee Butler. Despite going on tour to Ireland with City, no contract was ever agreed and he went on trial to Championship outfit Watford. After a month trial at Vicarage Road, he joined the Hornets on a one year deal but failed to ever make an appearance for the club. Woods was then met by spells at Leyton Orient and Scottish sides Ross County and Hamilton Academical, where he is most recognised from after 85 appearances, but now features in League Two alongside City for an administration-threatened Oldham Athletic.
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