A TEENAGER from Bewdley's dream of becoming a professional footballer has moved a major step closer after being given a two-year scholarship with Premier League Aston Villa.
It’s not so much a case of following in dad’s footsteps, but rather outpacing him.
While Richard Softley played semi-pro football for Redditch United and Moor Green, son Luke has his sights on becoming a full-time professional.
The 16-year-old pupil at Bewdley School is currently working through his GCSE course, but come July he will be moving in with a host family who will look after him as he trains every day with the under-18s team in the Villa Academy.
“He’s absolutely over the moon,” said Richard, who works as the assistant head at Kidderminster's Baxter College. “It took a couple of days to sink in but he’s one step nearer fulfilling his dream. He will be training and playing football every day.
“We know there are no guarantees, you have to be realistic, but his attitude is spot on. He will give it his best shot, and that’s all he can do - live without regrets.”
Luke started playing at the age of four with the Bewdley Town Mini Kickers, taught by "fantastic" coach Wayne Payton followed by Mark Hickey and dad Richard.
Luke was spotted at the age of 8 by a Villa scout and since then its been a big family effort from mum Kerri, and grandparents, plus help from friends and Bewdley School to ensure Luke got to all the training sessions, which in recent years have involved four trips a week to Tamworth plus weekend matches.
Luke’s whole family are sporty. PE teacher Richard played the same positions as Luke, midfield and then centre back; Kerri was an England Badminton international; while younger brother Sam, 11, is a keen footballer as well.
With all the talk recently about the risk of dementia from heading the ball, how do mum and dad feel about that?
“With all the stuff in the press, you think about it," said Richard. "And as a centre back he heads the ball in matches.
“But they don’t do a great deal in training. There is a risk to everything and they take precautions to limit the risk.
“This is his dream. It’s what he wants to do. And he has worked exceptionally hard for it.”
One thing Richard is sure of: “He’s much better than I was.”
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