Student earns scholarship offer at EFL Championship Club

Barking Abbey Football Academy student Peter Angelov has been quietly going about his football business over the past two weeks by attending training and trial matches at Championship club Queens Park Rangers FC.

Angelov was scouted by QPR after impressing at a competition that was to celebrate 150 years of the FA Cup. Peter scored 7 goals during the round robin competition that had former professionals playing such as Andy Johnson formerly of Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham and England striker.

Football Academy coach, Carl Emberson, sent Peter as a representee of Barking Abbey Football Academy so that Upton Park FC (formerly known as West Ham United FC) in the early years of the FA Cup competition would have some younger talent to help them hopefully qualify for the final, which is going to be held at St Georges Park the home of our National Football team England!

Abbey Academy Head Coach Carl Emberson has supported the annual showcase events for Upton Park FC for the past few years by sending Abbey’s most talented Academy athletes.

Coach Emberson said “These experiences can only be good for the development of these young athletes, plus there is always the chance with any showcase football tournaments there will be scouts there!”

This was to be the case where QPR first team coach Neil Banfield was present and decided Peter showed enough talent to offer Peter a two-week trial at QPR.

Fast forward two weeks and after two successful trial matches, we are Proud to announce Peter has been offered a professional scholarship contract until the end of the season!

Well done Peter we look forward to seeing you in blue and white hoops soon!!