Ieuan Ridout '17 Recruiting Profile

I have made it my goal in life to become the first member of my family to study in the United States. This decision is also aided by the fact that colleges in the United States are vastly superior in regard to the amount of courses available and colleges available, when compared to the United Kingdom.

I only look to train and perform at a level that is challenging, both mentally and physically. You could even add the emotional challenge to this also, as I would prefer to be victorious in a league or cup that is agonizingly close, and tests my emotional stability, rather than a competition that I could enter knowing my team would shut out comfortably. In the same scenario, I would be willing to join a struggling team as well. 

In terms of past and present achievements, I have played football for a handful of professional clubs in the English leagues. These clubs include SkyBet Championship sides Cardiff City and Bristol City, as well as my current club, Cheltenham Town, who play their football in the Vanarama National League.  I have played for pre-academy, world-renowned PG10 Coaching, who I have played for against Manchester City, Newport County, and have toured Barcelona and Madrid, scoring 5 goals against the regional champions in Barcelona, who feed the Barcelona Academy set up

I am currently studying a Level 3 B-TEC Diploma in Sports and Excellence, which includes nutrition, psychology, coaching, anatomy, health and safety and many other aspects of sporting activity, and in my first year, achieved Distinction-merit out of a Distinction-Distinction. However, I am more motivated this year, to turn this into a Distinction*, with my work this year being added onto last year's results. In class, I am well-mannered, confident, and not afraid to learn from my mistakes. I am encouraging to other class-mates, and am intrinsically motivated to get through every challenge set to me.

I know that on the pitch, I have a level head, being able to search out a pass from five yards, to 40 yards, and I love to break up the play and pull the strings from deep. I'm short but stocky from the waist up, and have great center of gravity, so I am most effective in a deep midfield role. I have been told I have similar traits to Chillian midfielder Gary Medel. However, I am unable to have an affect from a central defensive position. Mentally, I have a great knowledge of the game, being that I have been coached by some great ex-players, including former Chelsea Youth team player Peter Griffiths, former Wales goalkeeping legend, and ex-number one GK in the world Neville Southall, as well as some lower league players, such as Antoine Thomas and Peter Haynes. I have the ability to see what approaches aren't working, and what could be done to change the course of a game in a matter of seconds, and fully understand how different formations have different effects on both teams' performances. 

Once my tenure on the pitch is over, I want to be drafted into the MLS, and believe I have the potential to do so, and the work ethic to turn that potential into the talent needed to play at that level. In the event of this not happening, I would love to take on another playing role if possible, but if not, I would be more than happy to take on a coaching role at  your college, whatever the role, providing it is ball orientated. My tactical knowledge is excellent, and I believe that adding me to the coaching staff would be beneficial to any college at any level in the country. I am always studying the game in my spare time; watching Gary Neville on MNF, analyzing games I watch on television or live, as well as games I play in, and oppositions I will face in the future.