Rhain Davies

oskarutd · 9th May 2008, 16:17

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegrap...006068,00.html

Australian 10-year-old wins over Manchester United

By Dave Murray in Manchester

May 10, 2008 12:00am

AUSTRALIA'S soccer whiz kid Rhain Davis finished his first season with Manchester United this week - and there's no sign the club has any plans to let him go.

Rhain, 10, made international headlines when the world's most famous club saw his talents on a DVD and signed him up to their elite youth academy last July.

His family packed up their home in bayside Brisbane and moved 17,000km to give him a shot at stardom.

All indications are that Rhain continues to make a good impression at the Red Devils, with the family under strict instructions to keep quiet about his progress.

"We don't want to put any more pressure on him, he's still just a kid,'' dad Mark told The Saturday Daily Telegraph.

A club source said the end of the season was the time young players found out if they were staying on at the academy.

"Sometimes a player who is good at 11 or 12 doesn't develop any further and isn't good when they are 13,'' he said.

Rhain's grandfather sent Manchester United the now-famous DVD of his grandson weaving through opponents with ease.

Copies placed on internet site You Tube have been viewed an incredible 6.5million times and sparked a string of copycats from all over the world, all wanting to be just like Rhain. Comparisons were made between Rhain and child prodigies Wayne Rooney and Ronaldo.

Living in a rural area on the outskirts of Manchester, Rhain has been getting a taste of what it would be like to be a star.

His modest house is in one of Manchester's most sought after areas and club legends Rooney, Wes Brown and manager Sir Alex Ferguson are only a short drive away.

In contrast to the public fields he used in suburban Brisbane, he now shares Manchester United's Carrington training grounds with the sport's legends. The grounds are un-signposted and sit like Fort Knox in the middle of farmland.

Players and authorised visitors must first be given permission to pass through a set of boom gates monitored by a security camera.

A narrow path runs for more than 500m to the main entrance, where security guards are posted and two sets of tall fences keep out unwanted guests.

More than a dozen local and international fans were given permission to gather outside the entrance for autographs and pictures when The Saturday Daily Telegraph visited the grounds this week.

The club's stars emerged after a training session and cruised off in luxury cars worth more than the homes of some of their waiting supporters.

"Your normal Audi is just bog-standard, everyone gets one of those because that's the club's sponsor,'' one waiting fan said. "If you want something extra you have to pay for it.''

Brazilian star Anderson was one of those who had wanted an "extra'', speeding off in a $150,000 Audi R8. The players had been preparing for one of the biggest months in the club's history.

With two wins they could win the dream double of both the Premier League and Champions League titles.

They are rewarded handsomely for their talents, creating huge stakes for young players like Rhain if they can beat the odds and make it through to the elite level.

Striker Rooney, 22, and centre back Rio Ferdinand, 29, earn more than $200,000 a week. The club wasn't talking about Rhain's prospects of joining them however. "Our policy is that we don't discuss junior players,'' a spokeswoman said.

One reason for the secrecy is that many of the young hopefuls won't last, with about 30 kids Rhain's ageall being assessed and tested through weekday training sessions and weekend games.

"We don't tend to hear too much about the young lads until they start breaking through,'' said Manchester sports reporter Stuart Mathieson.

"Most people in England want to play for Manchester United and there are plenty of young lads who think they're good enough and their parents think they're good enough.''

Red442 · 9th May 2008, 18:16

"and club legends Rooney, Wes Brown and manager Sir Alex Ferguson"

I'd hardly put Wes Brown in the legends sentence with SAF. Or Rooney for that matter...yet.

BlahRules · 9th May 2008, 18:28

Brown has been with us for whole his life and Rooney has been here for 3/4 years, as far am concerned if you gone say Rooney is a legend then Brown has his reason to be a legend.

Red442 · 9th May 2008, 19:47

I said that Rooney could be a legend. And I have full respect for any player who spends his life (so far at least) at one club, but he is hardly a Charlton, Best or Law.

BlahRules · 9th May 2008, 20:42

Curious, If Davies makes it. would he repersent England? like Bojan doing for Spain

BlahRules · 9th May 2008, 20:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red442

I said that Rooney could be a legend. And I have full respect for any player who spends his life (so far at least) at one club, but he is hardly a Charlton, Best or Law.

Dont have to be, a player who gave it all to one club is a legend to that club when he retires

weso26 · 9th May 2008, 22:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlahRules

Curious, If Davies makes it. would he repersent England? like Bojan doing for Spain

probably

PS18 · 10th May 2008, 00:34

Bojan is Spanish-born, it's an entirely different scenario.

Elliott · 10th May 2008, 00:41

Capello should call him up now, just to ensure his long term future is with England.

Chris H · 10th May 2008, 02:10

Good article, thanks for posting it.

Cold_Boy · 10th May 2008, 04:44

Fcking hell this kid is at least 8 years from playing for the United first team and people already discussing him and whether he will play for England or Australia.

SharkyMcShark · 11th May 2008, 13:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlahRules

Curious, If Davies makes it. would he repersent England? like Bojan doing for Spain

Fucking hope not. Kid is Australian. Should play for the Socceroos.

oskarutd · 11th May 2008, 13:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by SharkyMcShark

Fucking hope not. Kid is Australian. Should play for the Socceroos.

His grandfather is english so it´s up to him, I guees.

Mr. MUJAC · 11th May 2008, 13:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlahRules

Curious, If Davies makes it. would he repersent England? like Bojan doing for Spain

No.....he was born in Australia and with no EU alignment, he would have to get British citizenship before he could even be considered.

I believe his parents are both Australian but the grandparent law may come into play.

If not...then he is 100% Aussie and can't play for England.

PS18 · 11th May 2008, 22:25

he could play for England under the residential rules surely (will have been here for 8/9 years before coming into any sort of contention surely, more than enough)?

FlawlessThaw · 12th May 2008, 00:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by PS18

he could play for England under the residential rules surely (will have been here for 8/9 years before coming into any sort of contention surely, more than enough)?

Would be five years necessary I think (Pietersen in a similar situation qualified for the England cricket team after five years of residence).

Elliott · 12th May 2008, 01:54

From post#5 and onwards this thread is friggin' nuts

ronnie dazzler · 14th May 2008, 16:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. MUJAC

No.....he was born in Australia and with no EU alignment, he would have to get British citizenship before he could even be considered.

I believe his parents are both Australian but the grandparent law may come into play.

If not...then he is 100% Aussie and can't play for England.

british citizenship shouldn't be a problem though. It would be possible for him once he has been in England 5 years?

9th May 2008, 16:17	#1 (permalink)
oskarutd Reserve Team Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Iceland Posts: 1,255	Rhain Davies http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegrap...006068,00.html Australian 10-year-old wins over Manchester United By Dave Murray in Manchester May 10, 2008 12:00am AUSTRALIA'S soccer whiz kid Rhain Davis finished his first season with Manchester United this week - and there's no sign the club has any plans to let him go. Rhain, 10, made international headlines when the world's most famous club saw his talents on a DVD and signed him up to their elite youth academy last July. His family packed up their home in bayside Brisbane and moved 17,000km to give him a shot at stardom. All indications are that Rhain continues to make a good impression at the Red Devils, with the family under strict instructions to keep quiet about his progress. "We don't want to put any more pressure on him, he's still just a kid,'' dad Mark told The Saturday Daily Telegraph. A club source said the end of the season was the time young players found out if they were staying on at the academy. "Sometimes a player who is good at 11 or 12 doesn't develop any further and isn't good when they are 13,'' he said. Rhain's grandfather sent Manchester United the now-famous DVD of his grandson weaving through opponents with ease. Copies placed on internet site You Tube have been viewed an incredible 6.5million times and sparked a string of copycats from all over the world, all wanting to be just like Rhain. Comparisons were made between Rhain and child prodigies Wayne Rooney and Ronaldo. Living in a rural area on the outskirts of Manchester, Rhain has been getting a taste of what it would be like to be a star. His modest house is in one of Manchester's most sought after areas and club legends Rooney, Wes Brown and manager Sir Alex Ferguson are only a short drive away. In contrast to the public fields he used in suburban Brisbane, he now shares Manchester United's Carrington training grounds with the sport's legends. The grounds are un-signposted and sit like Fort Knox in the middle of farmland. Players and authorised visitors must first be given permission to pass through a set of boom gates monitored by a security camera. A narrow path runs for more than 500m to the main entrance, where security guards are posted and two sets of tall fences keep out unwanted guests. More than a dozen local and international fans were given permission to gather outside the entrance for autographs and pictures when The Saturday Daily Telegraph visited the grounds this week. The club's stars emerged after a training session and cruised off in luxury cars worth more than the homes of some of their waiting supporters. "Your normal Audi is just bog-standard, everyone gets one of those because that's the club's sponsor,'' one waiting fan said. "If you want something extra you have to pay for it.'' Brazilian star Anderson was one of those who had wanted an "extra'', speeding off in a $150,000 Audi R8. The players had been preparing for one of the biggest months in the club's history. With two wins they could win the dream double of both the Premier League and Champions League titles. They are rewarded handsomely for their talents, creating huge stakes for young players like Rhain if they can beat the odds and make it through to the elite level. Striker Rooney, 22, and centre back Rio Ferdinand, 29, earn more than $200,000 a week. The club wasn't talking about Rhain's prospects of joining them however. "Our policy is that we don't discuss junior players,'' a spokeswoman said. One reason for the secrecy is that many of the young hopefuls won't last, with about 30 kids Rhain's ageall being assessed and tested through weekday training sessions and weekend games. "We don't tend to hear too much about the young lads until they start breaking through,'' said Manchester sports reporter Stuart Mathieson. "Most people in England want to play for Manchester United and there are plenty of young lads who think they're good enough and their parents think they're good enough.''

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9th May 2008, 18:16	#2 (permalink)
Red442 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Here> Posts: 1,036	"and club legends Rooney, Wes Brown and manager Sir Alex Ferguson" I'd hardly put Wes Brown in the legends sentence with SAF. Or Rooney for that matter...yet.

9th May 2008, 18:28	#3 (permalink)
BlahRules Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Posts: 1,963	Brown has been with us for whole his life and Rooney has been here for 3/4 years, as far am concerned if you gone say Rooney is a legend then Brown has his reason to be a legend.

9th May 2008, 19:47	#4 (permalink)
Red442 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Here> Posts: 1,036	I said that Rooney could be a legend. And I have full respect for any player who spends his life (so far at least) at one club, but he is hardly a Charlton, Best or Law.

9th May 2008, 20:42	#5 (permalink)
BlahRules Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Posts: 1,963	Curious, If Davies makes it. would he repersent England? like Bojan doing for Spain

10th May 2008, 00:34	#8 (permalink)
PS18 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Ruud ftw Posts: 574	Bojan is Spanish-born, it's an entirely different scenario.

10th May 2008, 00:41	#9 (permalink)
Elliott Likes Loan Stickies Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 3,513	Capello should call him up now, just to ensure his long term future is with England.

10th May 2008, 02:10	#10 (permalink)
Chris H Reserve Team Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Yes! Posts: 1,455	Good article, thanks for posting it.

10th May 2008, 04:44	#11 (permalink)
Cold_Boy Amit Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: somewhere i hate to live Posts: 8,987	Fcking hell this kid is at least 8 years from playing for the United first team and people already discussing him and whether he will play for England or Australia.

11th May 2008, 22:25	#15 (permalink)
PS18 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Ruud ftw Posts: 574	he could play for England under the residential rules surely (will have been here for 8/9 years before coming into any sort of contention surely, more than enough)?

12th May 2008, 01:54	#17 (permalink)
Elliott Likes Loan Stickies Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 3,513	From post#5 and onwards this thread is friggin' nuts