Colgan is a Chelsea man

Millions of young men and dare say Ladies would love the chance of playing soccer at the highest level. For Brookville teenager Nick Colgan (right) that dream becomes a reality when he touches down at Heathrow this weekend.

By tube it’s about an hour from the airport to his first stop on that ladder to soccer stardom, Fulham Broadway.

A quick step across the road and he’s at Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea Footoall Club, a mecca for the South West London fans and his home for the next two years at least as he attempts to become a top professional.

He’s just 17 but at over 6ft. he can look after himself when the boots begin to fly.

The former St. Olivers Community College pupil realises that it’s not an easy road but once he can get over those first couple of months away the hunger for success will really grow and after that Dave Beasant better watch out.

“Things went so very quickly with Chelsea. I still haven’t come down to earth”, the playcr revealed. Having had some experience at West Ham last January he travelled over to their London neighbours about a month ago for a week long trial and returned to the ‘Bndge two weeks latcr for another seven day period.

And now having signed on the dotted line it’s off for good to the British capital on an apprenticeship .

“It was a hard decision to make because I’ll bc leaving everything here including my family and mates but it has always been my dream to play professionally,’ he stated.

Colgan of course is a product of that great footballing nursery, the Drogheda Boys AFC. He has already attracted the attentions of the Republic of Ireland U-16 team and last November made his debut in Dundalk. He was to gain a second cap in Lurgan some months later in a scoreless draw with Northern Ireland.