Report by Peter Simcox

ECU Joondalup youngster Bayley Brown-Montgomery will head to the United Kingdom at the end of February for trials at English Premier League clubs Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion academies.

The 15-year-old is another player to come through the highly successful ECU Academy and he has impressed everyone including first team coach Dale McCulloch, who has him training with the first team in the pre-season.

The midfielder, whose father Stuart Montgomery is well known in Perth football, knows it will be tough in the UK, but he is up for the challenge.

“I’m looking forward to the trip, it's been a lot of hard work and preparation for the challenge ahead and I hope it all comes together,” Brown-Montgomery said.

“Getting into a squad would be a massive achievement and it's something I've always wanted to be able to fulfil and would be a dream come true.”

His form last season in the U15 National Premier Leagues WA was outstanding, and he was selected and played a number of games in the U18 side late in the season.

“A few people had mentioned I was playing well and when the club’s agent heard, he watched me and said it was my time to go over and get looked at,” Brown-Montgomery said.

He also said his dad, who he described as his number one critic, also felt he was in good form.

Brown-Montgomery said it was a nerve-racking experience stepping into the U18 team but in his debut game against Sorrento, the 15-year-old proved he was a star in the making.

“Coming off the bench at 2-1 down and to score and two assists in my first game felt like I'd done my job... it was just a shame that we let it slip in the top four final.”

Former Swindon Town defender and ECU U15 head coach, Charlie Comyn-Platt believes the future is bright for Brown-Montgomery.

“He had a good year, and we pushed him on from the under 15’s to the 18’s, along with James Bruce, and they were outstanding in the older age group,” Comyn-Platt said.

“He has been training with the first team all pre-season and doesn't look out of place. His attitude towards training is excellent and that goes well with his raw talent.

It will be a great experience for him going to England to train with a few clubs, training everyday in a professional environment will only benefit him mentally and physically.”

Comyn-Platt said everyone at the club is backing him and wish Brown-Montogomery all the best.

The 15-year-old is quick to acknowledge the support he has received from the ECU Academy coaches and his dad, who believes his son, has what it takes to succeed at the next level.

“Since an early age he only wanted to be a professional soccer player and to see his improvement and dedication in the last few years (especially last year having such a dominant season in both 15’s and 18’s) has only magnified the belief in myself and his mum that he has a given himself every chance,” Montgomery said.

“He is under no illusion, and has plenty of family reminding him, that the hard work starts now and there are no shortcuts.

“I just hope he is given a chance to show how good he actually is and luck is on his side, and plus myself being a Villa supporter I couldn’t be happier he is going there.”