IF WIRRAL football scout Mike O'Brien affords himself a knowing smile when he reads the sports pages of the national newspapers, it is understandable . . .

For affable Mike is responsible for unlocking a rich seam of local soccer talent. Among his 'discoveries' are Dave Challinor, now a regular in Tranmere Rovers' Nationwide League Division One team, former Tranmere star Alan Rogers, now with Premiership club Nottingham Forest, and Perry Taylor, Tranmere's England Under-16 international striker who is strongly tipped for the top.

The latest starlet to be helped by Mike is 17-year-old full-back Adam Eaton, from Wallasey, who last season made the Everton substitutes' bench - not bad for a youngster who thought he was on soccer's scrapheap.

As an 11-year-old, Adam was rejected by Liverpool and Everton and became so disillusioned he almost quit the game. However, it was Adam's mother, June, who changed his mind. She saw an advert for Mike O'Brien's Soccer Start School in Globe Sport and persuaded him to go. Mike, who lives in Upton and is Everton's regional scout co-ordinator for Wirral and Wales, recalled: "I told Adam he had the talent and just needed a bit more self-belief. He's already made a terrific impact at Everton."

Adam, former pupil at Oldershaw School who used to play for Poulton Athletic and Ashville youth teams, was named man-of-the-match when Everton won FA Youth Cup last season.

Mike O'Brien's next Soccer Start School - it is now in its 11th year - is on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, July 27, 28, 29, at St Benedict's School, Upton. Cost: £20 for three days. Phone Mike on 677-8360.

Two examples of players being rejected and gone on to be football legends, both on and off the part, are Kevin Keegan's teacher telling him as a youngster he will never make it in the game, because he is too small, and Kenny Dalglish being rejected after a trial as a youngster with Liverpool. Legend has it, unbeknown to him Bill Shankly was furious when he later found out that Dalglish had been rejected.

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