I am Kai Bailey born January 5th 2004.
Started training as a football player at 3 years old, however was a little earlier as my Dad taught me to walk well he teased me to walk using a tiny little Nike Total 90 football. I loved that ball crawling all over the lounge palming it into all the furniture and trashing the place. But as time went on and the crawling was becoming a pain I needed to get on my feet!
All I ever wanted to do was kick that shiny silver and red total 90. So the old man decided to tease me with it! coaxing me onto my feet and pushing me to take those 1st steps to glory and win possession off my Dad.
It didn't take long I soon over come that fear of taking the fall down on my bum, luckily with a heavy duty nappy on to take the sting out of it wasn't too bad!
The Early days of learning those new steps
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At 3 nearly 4 years old I was taken to my 1st training session on a freezing cold January morning, hard frost on the ground and biting cold winds out there in the mud learning the start of my new found love Football with Hackleton Harriers, my 1st club meeting my new team mates and coach Ryan for the 1st time.
I remember how much fun it was running around that pitch and playing some fun games with my new team mates every Sunday without fail!
All ready for my first day at training
We used to do lots of fun games and drills every Sunday was so much fun i loved it! Also really gelling with all my new team mates looking forward to seeing them every week for a kick about.
Hackleton Harriers Blues - The early days Under 5/6's Squad
We also later on managed a view friendly matches which was great and getting us ready for the start of the league.
Was amazing how the years flew by and how we grew into a great team, starting our league playing days in the NDYAL at under 7's All young lads eager to start playing matches on a Saturday morning on a wet soggy pitch at Dallington Park.
Under 7's Blue - Start of the the NDYAL Football League
Hackleton Harriers Blue Under 7's Our First League Game
Top Left to Right
Harry Evans, Sonny Rodella, James McGrath, Kai Bailey, Luke
Bottom Left to Right
Oliver Greener, Harry Stringer, Callum Farmer, Lucas Boak
The first game I remember us winning clearly and me scoring my first ever competitive goal late in the game a screamer from at least 10 yards out :) and nearly blowing a hole in the net, what a feeling!! This sparked off Kai Bailey a Striker! As I entered the Footballing Scene!
The fixtures were always every 2 weeks on Saturday morning and we always played 2 games. usual kicking off at 9:30 and again at 10:30 sometimes later. The early games meant setting up the goals, this of course allowed us to run about a bit and have a bit of a laugh before kick off. Then all of a sudden Dallington Park would be packed full of teams waiting to play their 2 weekly fixtures. Was a busy morning up there and the games were so much fun.
Later on and towards the under 7's season My Dad decided to become a coach and put another Hackleton Harriers Team together, under 7's RED.
Now as much as I loved my team mates in the blues and really never wanted to leave them. I had to move to my dads team the REDS :( this due to us now having to play home and away fixtures which posed a bit of a problem. However I moved across and started a new challenge to help my old man get this new team up the divisions :)
Hackleton Harriers Under 7's Red
Top Left to Right
Callum Field, Elliot Turton (Els), William Exton, Taylor Hollobon, Kai Bailey (Me)
Bottom Left to Right
Jonathan Rimmer, Sam Tennant, Kyle Freegard-Hardinges, Dylan Robinson
As i joined Hackleton Harriers Under 7's Red It was late into the season with not many games to go we are close to the end of the season. However we were winning every game we played. This down to a new found partnership upfront as here I found my new team mate, a great lad and player - Elliot Turton. With me and Els in the squad at under 7's we became a team to be feared and between us we were beating teams week in and week out!
We were still playing at Dallington Park every 2 weeks and i remember how hard it was for me at first as my old team mates were there at the same time sometimes kicking off at the same time. I always wanted to warm up with them as well as my new team just to still feel a part of the team cos i missed them a lot.
Was great when our matches were played earlier and the blues kicked off later so i could watch them and cheer them on, mostly wishing i could go on as a sub lol always nagging Ryan to put me out there.
When the season had finished we played some summer tournaments to end that under 7's season and that was great as the Reds and the Blues would always enter together. My Dad and Ryan would arrange them and we would all meet there was great, it also meant i got to have a run out now and then with my old team mates :)
We played a great tournament that year in Ascot was on the day of the Royal Wedding! Was an amazing tournament, we were only able to take 1 team and this mean Ryan and Mark from the Blues picked me and Els to join the lads from the blues and go along. We played some great football and won most of the games too :)
We were still playing at Dallington Park every 2 weeks and i remember how hard it was for me at first as my old team mates were there at the same time sometimes kicking off at the same time. I always wanted to warm up with them as well as my new team just to still feel a part of the team cos i missed them a lot.
Was great when our matches were played earlier and the blues kicked off later so i could watch them and cheer them on, mostly wishing i could go on as a sub lol always nagging Ryan to put me out there.
When the season had finished we played some summer tournaments to end that under 7's season and that was great as the Reds and the Blues would always enter together. My Dad and Ryan would arrange them and we would all meet there was great, it also meant i got to have a run out now and then with my old team mates :)
We played a great tournament that year in Ascot was on the day of the Royal Wedding! Was an amazing tournament, we were only able to take 1 team and this mean Ryan and Mark from the Blues picked me and Els to join the lads from the blues and go along. We played some great football and won most of the games too :)
Ascot Tournament Team
Left to Right
Elliot Turton, Kai Bailey, Sonny Rodella, Mason Coombes, Harry Stringer, Lucas Boak, Callum Farmer, James McGrath
The under 8's season was now here and it was going to be a good season ahead. We had some great summer tournaments winning the Welland Valley tournament overall and being invited to an Aston Villa showcase tournament which i will talk about later.
The pre season went well too with some great friendlies and me and Els were off to a great goal scoring start! We were flying as a team, having been placed into Division 2 In that first part of the season we were winning a lot of games and scoring so many goals! 10 games played during that first half of the season winning all 10 games.
Things were about to change after the first part of the under 8's season as it looked like we were moving clubs! The reds and the blues were both going to move together, the coaches had agreed it was time for a change and most of us looked forward to it. We had settled on joining Welland Valley and enjoyed all the facilities and like the way to club looked. So Hackleton Harriers Red become Welland Valley White and Hackleton Harriers Blue became Welland Valley Yellow.
Things were about to change after the first part of the under 8's season as it looked like we were moving clubs! The reds and the blues were both going to move together, the coaches had agreed it was time for a change and most of us looked forward to it. We had settled on joining Welland Valley and enjoyed all the facilities and like the way to club looked. So Hackleton Harriers Red become Welland Valley White and Hackleton Harriers Blue became Welland Valley Yellow.
As the season went on and into the second part not only were we at a new club, we were also moved up to Division 1. This meant playing some tougher teams including my old mates the Blues, who were now of course Welland Valley Yellow.
This was a great time and great season.1 game I remember we both scored 6 goals a piece and a couple of the other lads also getting on the score sheet winning the game 16 - 1 over the 30 minutes. By the end of the under 8's season we had played 20 games won 17, lost 2 and drew 1.
The draw actually came against my old team the Blues which we battled it out against each other and Me being thankful not to have beaten them and vice versa to have not been beating by them after all they were my team mates I spent years with on those cold muddy morning growing up from that toddler to a young boy, a draw was the perfect result :)
Myself and Els were battling it out for the golden boot with Els just edging it at the end of the season with 26 goals and me with 25. Overall I had managed 47 goals for the entire season including friendlies :) but they were not counted :(
However during the end of season presentations I was awarding Managers player of the season which I thoroughly deserved for everything contributed during the matches and in training.
Welland Valley White Under 8's
Top Left to Right
William Exton, Dylan Robinson, Kai Bailey (Me), Elliot Turton (Els)
Bottom Left to Right
Jonathan Rimmer, Kyle Freegard-Hardinges, Sam Tennant, Taylor Hollobon, Josh
Also during this under 8's season, me and Els had also started our first full season with NTFC in their Elite Squad 1 tier down from the Academy.
NTFC Elite under 8's were a fantastic bunch, there was Me, Els, Callum Farmer from Hackleton Blues, Harry Stringer also from Hackleton Blues, Saul Kader, Robbie Austin, Euan Peasland, David (can't remember his surname) "however he want on to better things very quickly moving on and being signed by Aston Villa Fair Play to him", Mitchell Carrington, Lucas (Goal Keeper) we were a great team coached by a great coach at the time.
I got the opportunity to Play many fixtures with these lads throughout the under 8's season - Brighton, Arsenal, Walsall, Coventry, Oxford, Brentford, MK Dons and many others. One game that sticks was against Brighton we were 4 - 0 down at half time and the lads dug deep to come back and draw 4 - 4 with me scoring 2 great goals late in the game, 1 goal a great header from a set piece was very memorable :)
Northampton Town FC Under 8's Elite Squad
Top Left to Right
Euan, Mitchell, Elliot (Els), Robbie, Kai (Me), David, Matt (Coach)
Bottom Left to Right
Aden, Lucas, Harry, Callum, Saul
Northampton Town FC Under 8's Elite (No David)
Me Playing for NTFC
Me, Els, Harry and Callum at Walsall for NTFC Elite
Myself and Els had managed to get a place training with Aston Villa, This was great we were picked out during a tournament they hosted at the end of the under 7's season in the summer and we were selected to join them training every Tuesday Initially for 6 weeks and extended if they felt we were good enough Happy Days free training from a Prem club :)
We were training each Tuesday in Northampton by another great coach - Paul Brackwell great guy great sense of humour :)
We were doing well here and were even invited up to Bodymoor heath a couple of times to train at their state of the art facility was amazing! Also playing some friendlies against other Birmingham based clubs including against their actual academy where I felt we held our own and actually drew 1 game against them!
The training continued for me and Els and a few others that were in from the start and we carried on there for 12 weeks, I learned a lot here specifically new technical skills turning off the defenders and close control. Paul used to line us up at the start and run through a drill which he would beep is beeper and off we went running towards that cone and turning sharply off keeping the ball under control! Also where I learnt to carry out some great skill at pace to beat defenders, I really loved that drill!
Me and Els Picked at the Aston Villa Tournament
A little later into that second spell of 6 weeks I was invited back up to Bodymoor heath for some additional training and matches and to be assessed. This was a couple of Saturday afternoons always after a tough grass roots fixture in the morning. The final game was me playing within their academy team under 8's which at that time meant being reunited with an old team mate from Northampton David (you know the one I cannot remember the surname)
I played well scored 2 goals in that game however was not lucky enough to be recruited by them which was a bit of sting but! It just made we want to try harder and was a great experience all round and I learnt some valuable lessons in what it takes to get to the top, this inspired me to train hard and work hard every single day!
Great times at BodyMoor Heath
So Here we are Under 8's gone another season ahead and it was time for the competitive football! Tougher league games, playing for longer and Cup games.
The under 9's season and another new challenge ahead. I was still playing for my dads team however we had moved clubs halfway through the under 8's season from Hackleton to Welland Valley. Both the reds and blues has decided it was time for a change and moved both the teams together to continue the rest of the under 8's and the under 9's new season with a new club.
It was great as My team Welland Valley White were placed in the Premiership for this part of the season as we had stormed our way up the divisions from division 2 to the prem! I have to say this was a lot of effort and some fantastic football from me and Els but also all the lads in that squad had worked so hard in training and during matches we were looking to be a strong team with all the teams out there talking about us and how we were now 1 of the teams to beat.
Welland Valley Yellow who were my old team the blues were also facing a new challenge unfortunately being placed a division lower which to be fair was not where they should have been, they were easily a prem team! but at least it meant I did not have to face them!!!
Welland Valley White Under 9's Team
The under 9's season also meant another extension with Northampton Town Elite FC for both me and Els and all the other lads who were there the season before were also offered another season. This started well with some great training and a couple of friendlies against some local grass roots teams and we were preparing for our first game against Walsall.
Me Playing Under 9's Game vs Aldershot (I think)
I and my dad were not happy with this as we had all worked hard to deserve our place here, and decided it was time for a change. Also my best team mate looked to be progressing which we all knew was coming as he was playing so well and looked ready for that next step! Els was moving up to the NTFC Academy which was great news for him and he deserved this the boy worked so hard and is a talented footballer.
But it meant I was loosing my wing man in the grass roots team and I would be going it alone up front. This dynamic duo was coming to and end so it was a sad time for me, but I was happy that Els was getting his chance :)
Back in the grass roots world and with Welland Valley White the season here was starting and our first fixture was Bugbrooke Yellow. We had played these guys in a tournament just once and lost 2 - 1 so we knew it was going to be tough! However it was also Me and Els last game together so wanted to make sure we finished on a high for Els and to get the win!
Before the start of the season we had some great friendlies to prepare and was looking to play some tougher teams to see how we were progressing as a team. My dad had worked hard here to get some clubs outside of our league and in Milton Keynes to play us! We played 5 different teams in pre season from Milton Keynes and won 4 drawing 1. I had started strong banging in goals in every game and already had 12 goals in 5 games. Els was flying too with 8 goals in those 5 games, one of the games we had won 11 - 1!!
Now here we were the 1st game of the league season at under 9's and our 1st premiership game! The match vs Bugbrooke. It was me and Els last game together and we started well, playing some lovely football with Els setting me up for the opening goal a lovely through ball and I am turning off the last man and drive it low into the bottom corner beating the keeper. I celebrate with my traditional Cart Wheel to round off :)
We line up for the kick off again, this time with Bugbrooke looking to drive forward which they did the lads dug in however they were strong and managed to get a goal back very quickly! End of the first half and 1 - 1.
The old man give us a good team talk but I was fired up already as was Els we wanted this win! If this was going to be the last game for the 2 of us together we needed these 3 points at least the prem season meant we would not have no wins :)
So off we went 2nd half, Bugbrooke again came out strong! they were attacking well working us hard down the wing and they came up with a 2nd goal to take the lead. This fired me up even more and from the kick off I went for it! Els laid the ball off to me and I made a run taking on 2 players and passing them with ease, just outside the box about 15 yards out I was floored! a blatant foul. The ref give a free kick, I let Els step up he was up for this game and knew he was going to score. He set himself for the direct free kick a 2 man wall in front of him and the keeper standing dead center. He calmly ran up to the ball and struck it perfect, it looked a little high however was hit so well it dipped down and pinged the under side of the cross bar an in it went, a fantastic goal to level the game! 2 - 2.
There was about 5 minutes left of the game and it looked like it was going to be a draw, until! a loose ball near the halfway line, I picked it up and ran forward steaming through the defence I saw the gap about 15 yards out and just struck it! the ball went low and hard and the keeper had no chance it went straight thorough him! We were winning 3 - 2 :)
In fact that was it we had won our opening game and won it in style. We were so happy our first 3 points in the prem from our new team who had come all the way up from the bottom it felt great. However saddened by the fact I had just lost my wing man :(
See ya Els good luck buddy.
Now back to NTFC and that dilemma of what happens next! I had earlier in the pre season trialled for MK DONS, me and Els turned up to their open academy trial which had gone really well for both of us, we were both offered a place straight into their Advanced Center which was the equivalent of the NTFC Elite, not quite ready for the academy unfortunately however I was determined! Els of course declined as he had climbed the ranks at NTFC!
I thought I would like to give it a go at MK Dons so thanks to my old man as he sorted it all out, making sure I left NTFC on good terms them even stating I would be welcomed back at anytime!
So here we are already 3 months into the under 9's season and I am starting my training with MK Dons Advanced and my first game being away to Luton town. I was excited and it was nice to be a part of a new team, all the lads were welcoming and the coach was a great guy. We were playing them in a friendly and it was going to be 4 games of 15 minutes so every player was getting some decent game time. Luton were a strong team it was their academy side and they were good we lost the 1st 2 games however the last 2 we drew and won! I had scored my debut goal a beaut from a tight angle and even tried a spectacular over head kick which hit the cross bar!
I had decided I was happy here at MK Dons and was ready to give them a full season of my best and work hard! And they had spoke to me after that game and said they were very impressed and would love for me to join them.
Joining MK Dons also meant an opportunity for my first time away on residential as they go to Holland each year to play in a European tournament. This was great so exciting to think I would be able to play some football in a different country, I was allowed to go too my dad was excited but mum was a bit sad as her little man was going it alone for a few days, soppy I know but whoop who cares I'm off to Holland baby :)
Before Holland MK Dons had a couple of fixtures one which I would like to talk about was away to Walsall where we were playing them and Wycombe! Damn it was cold! I mean -4 cold when we arrived. Was a great training ground with a lovely new 3G surface. We lined up for the 1st game against Walsall and it started so well I was out at Right Midfield and excited about the chance to attack and defend. I was up against the biggest 9 year old I have ever seen! he was huge and knew how to use that to his advantage. I remember looking over at my dad and him laughing as I shrugged my shoulders every time I bounced off him. However about 15 minutes into that game I did a fantastic 360 spin which has now become my favourite move after watching the master Zizou (Zidane) countless times on you tube and felt I can do it better than him :) Anyway I did the move and left that big over grown 9 year old for dust and smashed the ball high into the top corner and we took the lead, was a great finish and won us the game 1 - 0.
Later though we were destroyed in all the other games I blame the cold personally lol :)
Back in the grass roots world thing we were not going too well, the loss of Els from the team had proved difficult and all the strain of goal scoring and providing at that level was on my shoulders, my dad had no choice to compete in the prem I was playing non stop and things were getting hard for me. We were loosing I was still scoring regularly but as a team we were not strong enough.
We managed to have a good cup run winning our 1st 2 rounds - round 2 and 3, we got a by in the 1st round. We were through to the 4th round and were playing away to a team from Kingsthorpe. We had not played them before and knew nothing about them, but the old man was confident he said I would be playing up front and would need to drop back to midfield to defend as much as possible from the front so was going to be an energetic game for me. The other lads all looked fired up too and the few nights before in training we all felt confident.
The pitch was soggy a lot of rain had left parts a little washed out but hey that's grass root in England :)
So kick off and we were looking good I was managing to attack quite freely and had a few chances however not getting the goal! Defensively the lads were brilliant all making sure they held off the Kingsthorpe attack they all wanted this cup run to carry on! But it was not long before a mistake at the back and they managed to get a goal we were 1 - 0 down after 10 minutes, our heads were going down but the old man was still confident he knew we were playing well! End of the of the 1st half we were losing 1 - 0. I was a little deflated thinking about another loss and missing my old mate.! However my Dad said to me we can win this buddy just keep pushing and do what you do best.
So 2nd half and we had all the play and possession the lads were joining me in the attack and a nice through ball was played by me and was finished calmly by our left back - Kyle. 1 - 1 and we were feeling confident again. The 2nd half went so quick and that was it the final whistle! We had 5 minutes each way of extra time. and then penalties, which I as looking forward to as were all the lads whom were already hassling the old man about I will take it first I will 3rd lol he was not thinking about pens he was thinking about killing this game in 10 mins! He sat me off for that 1st half of extra time and it felt like days had passed for me I was constantly hassling him to go on however he as telling me to relax and I want you fresh for that last 5 minutes!
So 2nd half of extra time and it was still 1 - 1. All the lads were expecting penalties except for Daddy Bailey he knew we would get this win in the next 5 minutes. His plan worked I was so fired up from sitting and watching that last 5 minutes I was playing awesome. I ragged their players up and fired home a great goal straight from the kick off to make it 2 - 1 to us! And again the next minute or so I was through on goal again and close range scored another, we were 3 - 1 up and sailing through the quarter finals, but it weren't over there I had the ball down the right hand side and played a beautiful reverse pass back to josh one of our midfielders who was waiting patiently un marked inside the box and he just swept the ball in to make it 4 - 1 and a great win. The lads we so excited as was I the old man had a smile on his face and simply gave me a huge hug, See I told you so boy when your relaxed and up for a game you are at your best. He always knew :)
Moving on!! New Chapter with a new Club
My dad decided to quit coaching at Welland Valley and offered me a new opportunity to join Grange Park Rangers FC Yellow. These guys were in the prem for under 9's and are a great team with some great players. So i jumped at the chance to join them!
I joined these guys half way through the under 9's season, they were doing well sitting mid table and still in the cup. I remember my 1st training session so well at goals, meeting all the new team and them welcoming me especially Rico as i knew him well from previous times at NTFC where he was training at the academy level. I linked up with him during training a lot as we both liked to score goals which was nice :)
My 1st game for GPR was against Bugbrooke yellow away i was nervous as i wanted to start well! I remember being a sub for the 1st 15 minutes itching to get on! And when i did i started well linking up with all the lads playing as a lone striker. Then my opportunity come a through ball from the midfield which i took well and opened up and shot!! Bang... bottom corner and happy as scoring on my debut..
The games were tough this season as the teams were all strong in our division. I was really enjoying it though playing football at this level again with a strong team.
As i mentioned these guys were still in the cup for the under 9's season and it was the quarter finals. Earlier before leaving i had put my old team Welland Valley Whites through to this round before leaving. Now i am then cup tied so can't play! And who to GPR draw?? My old team, gutted as i couldn't play!
On the day i went along and warmed up with them and went through the routine and sat at the side watching as GPR battered them 5 - 0 some great football played and a shame they were beaten so badly after all they were still my old team mates!
GPR went on the win the cup this season getting to the final and i could not play any of the games! I was gutted, however so pleased to be a part of the club and going through the journey with them. Including the cup final morning which was held at Sixfields. We were playing Brixworth and it was set to be a great game. The morning was fantastic we all wore suits and GPR ties looked so smart, were using the 1st team dressing rooms the whole occasion was amazing!. Even though i could not play again i was part of the overall warm and sat on the bench cheering my team on who won the final in style 5 - 2 a great individual performance from Rico on the day too!
Under 10's Season - 2013 - 2014
So here we are another season gone under 10's. I am still playing for GPR and having finished in the top 3 we are still in the prem division. Also moved up was my original team and team mates Welland Valley Yellow (Hackleton Harriers Blues) and looking through the fixture list there they were 3 games in and we are away to them! I am dreading it having to play my best team mates ever. However it is what i do play football and for the team i am playing for i give it my best no matter what!
Also i have been offered another year with MK Dons with Sqaud 1 Advanced. So again looking forward to another year of pro fixtures and another tour to Holland later in the year :)
