Ahh… Football – the beautiful game. It is the most popular sport in Britain. How dare these damn foreigners play the sport and beat us! Worst of all, how dare the Americans play it? The Americans steal everything! They have their own kind of football why do they need ‘soccer’ too? But, soccer is only for girls and guys who are not tough enough to play that big manly sport (you know, the one where everyone is padded up head to toe) American Football, right, right?
Wrong.
Soccer is an ever growing entity in the States. It is not bigger than American football yet, but it is getting there. Think back to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Remember Rob Green’s howler when Clint Demspey scored against England? That game ended 1-1. Not bad for a country who were not even playing their ‘main’ sport.
Just incase you don’t remember that one..
What is causing this boom in American soccer? The amount of money being invested into the sport is leading to a growth in popularity by fans and players alike. Ex-superstars are heading over to America for a big payday before their final swansong. Players such as Thierry Henry, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Didier Drogba and Ashley Cole are all plying their trade in the MLS. Even so-called mediocre journeymen are making a decent wedge out in America – the likes of Seb Hines, Luke Boden, Tyrone Mears and Kevin Doyle.
Soccer in American colleges is hitting a peak with teams showing off their top class facilities and players. Combined with the increased number of scholarships for UK students, this is another factor in the advancement of soccer in America. According to the Fulbright commission, there was a 21% increase in UK students studying in American colleges in the past 10 years – with 11,000 in American education last year. Ex Ayr-United player JJ Hawshaw feels that this is down to the increased awareness from UK students. He said: “I think kids are realizing that going to America is an option for them. When I came over in 2012 it was a relatively new concept, not that many people were aware of the benefits of a scholarship.”
Former Crosshouse man JJ Hawkshaw
Failing to deliver
However, scholarships are not easy to attain and they come with their risks. Firstpoint USA – based in Glasgow – aim to help footballing kids with potential to realise their dreams. But they are seemingly full of broken promises. In an interview with BBC, John Ward from Bradford revealed that Firstpoint promised a 90% scholarship in return for a £2,000 upfront fee – Firstpoint failed to deliver on said promise. His son, Dayne, said: “They were saying the funding was there. I have been offered a few places – but one would have meant I would have had to pay $17,000 (£10,451) for my first year at college. We’ve had nothing affordable.”
Some do make it. Firstpoint USA’s managing director, Andrew Kean, has argued that his company has successfully achieved over $100 million (almost £70 million) since it started. Dom Dwyer appeared to be going nowhere in his footballing career. However, he signed up with a company similar to Firstpoint USA – Soccer Icon USA – and has left his Ryman Premier Division gig at Staines Town for the States. Since studying in Texas and Florida he has signed for Sporting Kansas City of the MLS and scored over 30 goals since 2014, as well as being named in the 2014 MLS all-star team – beside Thierry Henry.
Hawkshaw in action
JJ Hawkshaw, who had previously signed a contract with Ayr United, is hoping for a similar success. He turned down Celtic in favour of Ayr United – but he fancied himself to make it big in America. Jonny McTear and The Scholarship Co made his dreams come true. He feels that there are a lot of benefits to training in America over Scotland: “The weather is a massive benefit. Other than that the environment is a lot more relaxed. There is a lot less pressure on you which allows you to enjoy the game and develop at your own rate.”
Hawkshaw feels that his family have had the biggest influence in his success.
“They always have my back no matter what.”
He said: “They always have my back no matter what. Whatever I choose to do they are always right there behind me.
“Apart from that, my coach, James Regan, has been a massive influence in my development as both a player and as a person. He believed in me at a time where I probably didn’t believe in myself.
“The coaching itself hasn’t really changed; we usually play two games a week so it’s a pretty frantic week. The coaching is top notch and they always make sure we are prepared for the week ahead.”
Hawkshaw hopes to continue being involved in the game in the coming years, as well as pursuing a career with his soon to be attained master’s degree in Business.
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