Maghull’s Ryan to be Deportiva’d

Oct 2 2008 by Philip Kirkbride, Ormskirk Advertiser

A YOUNG footballer is set to be catapulted from the Ormskirk Sunday League to Spain’s La Liga, writes Phil Kirkbride.

Twenty-year-old Maghull Community Association FC player Ryan Wilkinson has been asked to go on trial with fourth division side FC Sociedad Deportiva Besain.

The player was spotted in a game between the two clubs on Tuesday night at Formby FC in front of 100 supporters.

The match came about purely by chance.

Chester City were due to face the Spaniards during their two-day Merseyside tour but pulled out.

After searching the internet, FC Sociedad stumbled upon Maghull.

At the same time as discovering Maghull, they may have also unearthed their latest signing in Wilkinson, who scored two goals in the 3-3 draw.

After the match, the coach of the touring side approached Maghull manager Neil Marten about taking Wilkinson on trial next month.

Marten said: “The game was unbelievable, fantastic - I’m still in a state of shock - this game is a big step in the right direction for our club. It’s the equivalent of us playing, say, Crewe Alexandra or another team from League Two. Some of the football FC Sociedad played was unreal, their movement off the ball was fantastic. But in the second-half we played them off the park. .

“It looks like Ryan will be going on trial there next month and they have already said they want to play us again.”