How Bradford City missed out on Man United's Mason Greenwood

Clive Michallat, a scout with the club for 15 years, was on holiday in Portugal when he heard the bad news.

It was Greenwood’s dad Andy ringing to say they would be choosing Manchester United over his hometown club.

Michallat had first spotted Greenwood playing in a tournament for Idle Juniors. He was just five at the time, playing in the under-sixes, but his talent was obvious.

He took him into the City academy a year later where Greenwood was soon training with the under-10s.

Michallat said: “Alan Nevison, the head of the academy at the time, came down to watch Mason and even then we were trying to decide which was his best foot.

“He was two-footed and just that good. He was Ryan Giggs-esque, even at that age, he didn’t run but floated really.”

Come the end of the under-eights season, the youngsters are given the choice who they want to sign for. Greenwood was training at Man United as well and that’s where he would be heading.

“It spoiled the holiday,” laughed Michallat, “but he was destined for United.

“But I’ve kept in touch with his family. They are lovely and very supportive.

“His dad did say that one day he would like to play for his hometown club – we shall see!

“But it’s no wonder that Mason has gone on to do as well as he is because of his family. He is a level-headed lad.”

He was two-footed and just that good. He was Ryan Giggs-esque, even at that age, he didn’t run but floated really.

With such fierce competition, scouting young players is full of knockbacks and stories of ones that got away.

Another to slip through the net was Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

Michallat was head of recruitment at the time, a role he combined for three years with a full-time job as a prison officer. But it meant he could only work every other weekend as a scout.

“I watched Kalvin play for Wortley boys as an under-15 against Halton Moor – Oli McBurnie was in their team.

“But I missed out on Phillips by a week. I spoke to his manager and mum afterwards but they said, ‘sorry Clive, he’s already going to Leeds’.

“I watched Oli three times as well but Dave Wetherall knew the family and got him to come down.”

Michallat had more success with Andre Wisdom, the Derby defender he first scouted as a 13-year-old for Yorkshire Amateurs.

Wisdom was sold by City to Liverpool a year later in a deal that has generated close to £1 million over time.

I missed out on Phillips by a week. I spoke to his manager and mum afterwards but they said, ‘sorry Clive, he’s already going to Leeds’.

Michallat laughed: “It was hard at first because his manager wouldn’t give me permission initially to speak to his family! But we got through in the end.

“One or two other clubs were watching Andre and I think he was in the Leeds shadow squad. But we had a bit of a connection because Dom Rowe knew him and we managed to get him down.

“I still talk to Andre and he’s done very well for himself.

“I’ve probably scouted over 100 lads. There was a time when we got four development centres up and running and we were competing with the likes of Leeds and Huddersfield.

“As a Bradford City fan myself, I want the best talent but it is difficult.”

City’s current head of academy Neil Matthews, who came from Huddersfield, has been very supportive of a scheme Michallat is involved in to provide sports kit for under-privileged youngsters.

Andre Wisdom has earned City nearly £1 million since leaving them at 14 for Liverpool

The idea came when Yorkshire Amateurs manager Neil Sibson brought a couple of teenagers for a trial at the club – and had paid for their boots out of his own pocket.

Michallat said: “So many lads and girls are being denied a chance in sport because they simply can’t afford it.

“I work in schools and it’s very sad to see the poverty levels. That will have only increased because of COVID.

“Neil gave us the opportunity to start collecting old football boots and kit and it just started from there.”

Together with Andy Kenure and Kenny Watson, Michallat has set up Action For Sport to “right the wrongs” of inequality by collecting second-hand sportswear that can be used by those less fortunate.

“We just don’t want parents throwing away stuff when it could be going to someone who really needs it.

“We haven’t officially launched yet but the amount of interest already has been fantastic. Bradford City have been a massive support.

“Paula Watson, the head of operations, invited us to an equality and diversity meeting. Wayne Jacobs and Ian Ormondroyd were there and loved the idea.

“We’ve been told we can be based at the ground and be part of the club, which is fantastic.”

More details on the charity are available on their website at actionforsport.com.