The Carlisle teenager in the sights of top Thailand football club Bangkok United

Clayton Ruddick, 17, recently spent several days training with Bangkok United, who play in the country’s top division.

Clayton, whose family are originally from Harraby, is facing a decision on his future as he also has offers to take up a football scholarship in the USA.

He says it is his ambition to turn professional – while he also dreams of playing in England with his home-city club Carlisle United.

Clayton said of his trial spell at Bangkok, which has led to an invitation to return: “I enjoyed it – it was exciting, a good opportunity, and the highest level I’ve played in Thailand so far.

“Technically I felt just as good if not better than some of the players, although the intensity was higher than what I’ve been used to.

“This is the next step – I want to go pro.”

Clayton, a versatile attacking player, added: “If I was to play in England one day, that would be great. I want to be able to make a living by playing football.

“I would love to play for Carlisle. That would be amazing.”

Clayton pictured during his recent trial with top Thai club Bangkok United

Clayton played for Harraby Catholic Club’s junior teams before moving to Thailand aged nine, as his dad Gavin had his own business in the country.

He played for a local academy called Planet Football, and was eventually spotted by Brazilian club Cruzeiro, who invited him onto a football scholarship which is based at the British International School in Phuket.

Clayton also played for FC Bangkok, representing the club in the Helsinki Cup in 2019.

Gavin said: “It was the time when he was spotted by Cruzeiro when things took off for him.

“A couple of weeks ago, the coach at Bangkok United contacted Clayton to ask if he would like to come up for a trial so they could take a look at him.

“We got him out of school a week early, brought him home to Pattaya where we live, and then spent three or four days last week on trial for Bangkok United.

“It culminated in a game on Saturday which they won and Clayton got two assists.

“He impressed the coach and they’ve asked him to go back and possibly sign for them once he’s finished school.

“The other avenue we’re considering is the American market, which is something his agent is pushing him towards. He’s had offers from about 10 universities there.”

Gavin said they have narrowed the USA options down to football scholarships at Cornell University and Charleston University, whilst awaiting an offer from Notre Dame University in Indiana.

“He finishes school next spring, and it’s a case of weighing up a pro contract here [in Thailand], or going to university on a scholarship to play football whilst doing a degree,” Gavin said.

Clayton has worn Carlisle United shirts both to his Bangkok trials and in other tournaments.

Gavin added: “Every kit they bring out, home and away, we get them sent over here – and every time we get home we’re at Brunton Park.

“I’m a Carlisle boy and home is where the heart is.”

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