FC United of Wrexham players hit the big time, Yarwood and Miguel make Prestatyn town debuts.

 

FC United of Wrexham players hit the big time, Yarwood and Miguel make
Prestatyn town debuts.

Two FC United of Wrexham futsal players have made their semi-professional debuts this week for Welsh second division side, Prestatyn Town. George Yarwood and Bruno Miguel have both swapped futsal for football to play for the Cymru north division side.

The two lads received their chance for the 2019-20 second division champions and both seemed to capitalise on the opportunity in some style, with both producing excellent performances. Cefn Druids, of the Cymru Premier division, were the opposition on Friday night and both lads held their own. Prestatyn town interim manager, Andrew Ruscoe, stated he had ‘nothing but praise to offer the lads after the final whistle. When I spoke to Ruscoe about the two players, he went on to compliment them further by saying “To see George and Bruno make the transition is sentiment to their character, passion and desire to succeed”.

Yarwood had played futsal for Wrexham under Ruscoe, while Miguel still does. Both players, when I spoke to them made it very clear that they are very thankful for Ruscoe’s faith in them. It’s clear that the two can play at the top level following their performances against premier division opposition, with FC United of Wrexham and Ruscoe giving them high praise. Following the game on Friday I spoke to Miguel, he told me that he started playing for Wrexham after being out of the game for a long period of time. The club helped him to rebuild his confidence and regain his sharpness as well as improving his ability. Both revealed to me that it was Ruscoe that identified their ability and gave them the opportunity to try out for the former second division champions, Prestatyn Town. Miguel went on to say “Andy had been around my futsal career for a while, and he had faith in me so he gave me the opportunity to try out for Prestatyn”. Yarwood also told me that Andy has ‘helped him and supported him over the last few months’.

 

I spoke to Bruno Miguel, who played in Portugal when he was 15, further about his experience for Prestatyn Town and how it differed form playing Futsal. Miguel claimed “It’s a completely different world, every second playing, there is a lesson to learn. Lower levels lack tactical organisation, training, and time on the ball, Now I can see and have a better understanding of the game, the level of intensity is much higher and there’s a lot more communication”. After talking to Bruno, it was clear to me that he had a clear drive and desire to succeed in the game, his head is in the right place, and he certainly has the right people around him to achieve his dreams. I hear he is already a favourite of the other players and staff at Prestatyn Town due to his unpredictability when playing. Everybody at the club is full of praise for Miguel, Ruscoe went on to say “I have just seen a lad who started with me when he was a young skinny 18-year-old. He’s transitioned into one of the finest, hardworking, skilful exciting individuals I have ever witnessed.  He literally goes through brick walls for me”

Geroge Yarwood in action.

 

As well as Miguel, when I spoke to Yarwood I found that he had taken some time out of the game also. When Yarwood returned to football in July at Wrexham, he impressed. I spoke to him after his game on Friday and he told me Ruscoe showed his belief in him and helped him to improve his game during Futsal training sessions. Yarwood went on to say “The movements and formations used in futsal helped him to improve his own game during an 11-a-side format of the game. Following Ruscoe’s appointment as interim manager at Prestatyn, Yarwood approached him and stressed he was ready to give semi-pro a go. Ruscoe couldn’t refuse this brave request and told me, “George for me has been outstanding since joining in 2020”.

 

Bruno Miguel playing for Prestatyn Town.

One thing that stood out to me when I had finish speaking to Bruno and George was how grateful they were of FC United of Wrexham, both had progressed from the Futsal side and been given the opportunity to improve their game. Their ability was recognised, and they were given the opportunity they deserved, to move up and have a crack at semi-pro football. As you will know, I am very new to the Wrexham set up and know little of the organisation and the people around it. Regardless of this, within my very short time I have spent talking to people around the club I have learnt that the club is there for one reason only. To give the players who deserve a chance, a platform to be able to achieve their task. Ruscoe, Tom Winsper and Morgan Churchill, the co-founders, set this team up to help young players get closer to the dream that every child dreams of.

 

I asked Ruscoe for a short statement on his view of the club following the two lads getting their chance, he said “The reason FC United of Wrexham was created, was to bridge the gap by connecting players from grassroots amateur levels, with semi-professional clubs and youth academy clubs like Prestatyn Town, so that players get amazing opportunities like the one Bruno and George have at present”.

 

Interim Manager of Prestatyn Town, Andrew Ruscoe.

After speaking to them both I realise they are exceptional young men who have full respect for where they come from, they are both full of admiration for FC United of Wrexham. The club also clearly has their back and backs them to go far and its clear both players have taken their chance with both hands. I look forward to working with the two of them in the future and now I am part of Wrexham, I hope I can assist others to follow in their footsteps.  

 

Futsal and Football are two different games, but who said Futsal players could not make the transition from futsal to football! They clearly can, Bruno and George are living proof of that.