FISHING FOR SUCCESS

Ambitious young English coach Charlie Trout has high hopes for the Puerto Rico national team

- Sean Cole

In the summer of 2007, Charlie Trout took a bold step, leaving behind his family and football club for a fresh start on the other side of the world. His playing ambitions were fading and he wanted to explore new possibilities. Moving to Chicago on a college scholarship sent his life and career down a very different path.

Remarkably, Trout's still there 18 years later, now with a wife, three young children and a wealth of coaching experience. At the age of 39, he manages the Puerto Rico men's national team, who are ranked 157th in the world. Nobody could have predicted his trajectory so far, or where it might take him from here.

Trout grew up on the Clifton council estate in Nottingham. He inherited a love of football, and Nottingham Forest, from his dad. Surrounded by kids of a similar age, he would play for hours on end at the local park. At the age of 11, while representing Nottinghamshire Boys, he was spotted by Leeds United and recruited for their youth system.

Accustomed to being one of the best, he lost his spark at Leeds so returned to playing for fun and was picked up by Lincoln City, where he signed as an apprentice. He went on to train regularly with the first team, and was even given a squad number, but never made a competitive appearance. At 19, he was released and signed for Gainsborough Trinity of the Conference North.

"It's a grind. I was working different jobs, but football has been a big part of my life, and I've just always loved it," says Trout. "You see how important it is to local people. The buzz of getting up on a Saturday and going to play. Whether you're playing in front of 50 people or 10,000, it doesn't matter. Non-League was good for me. It made me grow up"