Jake plays for his village team. He is good enough to play at a much higher level, but, whenever he has a trial at a professional club, they tell him ‘You’re good: but you’re too small.’

But – with his dad’s support – Jake keeps trying. He doesn’t listen to them.

And, one day, he gets offered a trial at Premier League United.

And what could be his last chance...

Player Profile

Name: Jake Oldfield

Age: 11

Position: left midfield

Best friend on team: Yunis

Why did you write a book about a boy trying to get into a Premier League academy, Tom?

I’ve read loads of footballer’s autobiographies - and I love it when they talk about how they were taken on by their first professional club. Rooney’s is good for that. Beckham’s too. It’s so hard to get chosen to play at that level, so I wanted the first book in the series to show how tough it was and how it really helps a player if he has a parent really backing him.

Are dads important in the Football Academy series?

They are. I write a lot about dads and how they get on with their sons. When it comes to playing football at this level, how the parents back the boys is vital. The dad is a big character in the Football Detective books too.

Why are you do interested in dads?

I had three dads, sort of. And it was all a bit chaotic. When you have dads, then don’t, it can be a bit difficult. And now I am a dad, as well. I have thought a lot about it. Jake is lucky his dad is right behind him. In Striking Out and Captain Fantastic, the mums and dads are a tougher. I try to be as a good a dad as I can. I think I can learn a lot from Jake’s dad.

Read the first chapter of Boys United here.