Hope this helps to correct a few misconceptions.
There are three kinds of trials, or try outs:
Open trials: Anyone can attend. Usually, any talented players are selected and then invited to train with the club on trial so the coach can see more of them. This usually happens early in pre season. Central signed Nicholas Dillon following an open trial.
Invited trials: A coach or scout may see a player, maybe at a college game or even a fete match and he will be invited on trial. Occasionally an agent or scout from overseas will recommend a player. In this instance, some research is carried out and then the club may pay his ticket and provide accommodation and even a small stipend. John Terry was invited to a trial at Chelsea by Graham Rix
Requested trials: This is where a player approaches you for a trial. Again, some research is carried out. It is very unusual for a player in this instance to be offered a ticket or accommodation.
A player on trial is never guaranteed a contract. However, in some cases prospective salaries and benefits can be discussed so the player can decide if it’s worth his effort if he does get through.
It is not in the best interest of any club to waste a player’s time. (you never know, his younger brother could be the next Messi!!)
There is another situation where players believe they are being sent on loan, but actually find out that they are on trial. This nearly always ends in disaster because the player arrives with a confident attitude that soon turns into resentment that he has to face a trial and is not automatically accepted, and anger towards his club for misleading him.
I have never heard of a club advising a trialist to give up his job or home to come on trial. I have heard players told that they have a contract if they give up school and want to pursue football. If I am asked should they give up school or their home, I would tell them to talk to their parents as I could not advise them. I may advise them to tryout with a club near to them, finish their studies and try football after.
It is usual for a player to be told where and when training takes place and what to wear. It is unusual for a club to arrange transport. However, once a player attends training, he can usually hook up with someone to get a lift or the club may arrange a lift with a player.
Players are very rarely welcoming to trialists. The newcomer is trying to take your place, or your friends place, on the team. You or your friend may even be released if the new boy is good. (Clubs very rarely have spare budget available for new signings). During the first day or two it’s tough because you feel like an outsider. Players don’t pass you the ball, and if they do, the passes aren’t good. They tackle you harder (check Ronaldo & Bale). The game is often faster and you get caught in possession. The players don’t know how you want the ball played and you don’t know what runs they will make. (you will often see a new boy play a nice chip over the defender and see the striker 15 yards away because he makes diagonals. Alternatively, the new boy will play a nice diagonal, but the striker plays in straight lines. Either way, the pass looks terrible! Another common sight is seeing a trialist defending by kicking the ball into row Z while the coach gets vexed because he wants you to play out of defence. Alternatively, I used to see Sancho get bollocked at Gillingham sessions because he did play out of defence while the coach was shouting “get rid of it, get rid of it!”)
Training times and venues are not written in stone. Weather conditions , fixtures and injuries mean that changes take place. A European guy requested a trial with an SPL club. He could afford to stay for a week. Training was cancelled for 3 days due to snow and the team had to travel away to a match. The European never even kicked a ball. The responsibility to attend training is always on the trialist. That’s not to say that the club won’t help, but when you’re organizing 30 or 40 people, the trialist, sadly, is your last priority.
Staff in football aren’t always nice, just like in any other business. Football is a pressured environment and when the coach ain’t happy, the other staff and the players know it. I have dozens of horror stories surrounding coaches mis treatment of players, both in the UK and here.
The coach chooses his immediate staff. The club can criticize and force disciplinary measures, but effectively the coach is there to manage his staff and players. If he doesn’t and he’s winning, he stays. If he doesn’t and he’s losing, he may go earlier than if all is hunky dory. He knows that and acts accordingly.
Saying that, it is always worrying to hear reports of disrespectful behavior by your staff.
Trials are not easy, not by design, but purely because there is a lot going on. Being rejected is not always fair. It’s 1,000 times worse than being turned down by a girl and 100 times worse than failing a job interview.
Playing professional football is a dream and having a trial is exciting and nerve-wracking and not usually what you expect. It’s like your first day in a new school, but worse. Those that get through realize it’s a baptism of fire. Those that don’t are never happy.
Finally, Sancho knows how hard it is to be on trial, so has empathy for those who come to the club. But Sancho and I aren't often at the training ground...that's what we pay the coaches for! As for Terry, well Sancho played for him (and so did Kelvin Jack and Cyd Grey) and they will all say he's tough at times, but would recommend him.
This is an example of a requested trial discussion that has taken place:
Hey, Kev...
XXXXXX contact me yesterday and asked me to find out from you if he can get a trial with Central. If yes, when would be the best time.
Secondly, if for some reason he impress and you decide to give him a shot will he be housed?
Yes, he's welcome to come! And yes, if we sign him we have accommodation! He can come anytime. If Terry wants him, we may not be able to sign him until XXXXXXXXX.
Hello Mr. Harrison, everything is good, I am super interested in coming. Budget isn't my main focus, I just want to perform! I've matured since the last time there, and I know a lot more about pro league ball, my main and only concern, is housing, as I don't want to be a burden for my family, but if that can be accommodated for, I'm all in, and if changes are being made in XXXXXXXXX I should go asap, but will have to consult with parents first, but we can go from here, thanks for the email.
Hows things mate? If you're interested in coming over, let me know dates. I can't remember, but was you here when we changed coaches?
I'll be honest, we have our budget all spent at the moment, but we do need to add to the squad so if you impress, we will try to find a way to bring you on board. There will be changes made in XXXXXXXX so now is a good time to come!
Kev
Hi XXXX
Have spoken to the coach. He's happy for you to come on trial for a few days. He won't mess you about, so if he thinks you won't fit in, he will let you know so you can try elsewhere. We cannot accommodate you during the trial, but I don't think we're far from your family as we usually train at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
But if we bring you on board, we can look at accommodation as part of the package.
Hope that sounds ok?
Ok, I am confident I will make the side, would you be able to further explain the living situation? Or would that only be if after I make cuts? That's really the most important thing for me, I just wana know ahead of time, I really don't want to depend on my family. And also when is ideal to come down? Another question, I was on the website I was trying to find the schedule, but do we have any scrimmage games outside of Trinidad? Also is there a break around XXXXXXXX?
Hi mate
There would be no accommodation while you're on trial. However, should we sign you we can try to arrange something. Best time to come is in next few weeks. There are no games between XXXXXXX and XXXXXXX but there will be training. We don't have games outside of T&T.
Don't think there is too much misleading going on there. Simple, straight forward, no cast iron guarantees. It is what it is.