RUMOUR: Brandon Fernandes

[akranes]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/spor ... 829733.cms

Interesting. He is believed to be a cross between Messi, Ronaldo and Heskey.

[Gordons Cumming]

UrggH!!

[JS28ZoD]

Randomly, a friend of mind from uni is his agent?! I've just seen a picture of the two of them at an airport and can confirm this guy is about 5ft6, Mayb he'll be our Indian Jermaine Defoe!

Good luck to him for his trial!

[Geekins]

Messi - Yes
Ronaldo - Yes
Hesky - whaaaaaat?

[Divvy]

His agent asked us to Tikka chance on him. He'll Korma in and try and prove himself over the two weeks.

When asked what he'll sing to the team if he signs, he said he was torn between "Tears on my Pilau, I’m a Bhaji Girl or Jalfrezi Little Thing Called Love".

[Alexander Litvinenko]

His agent asked us to Tikka chance on him. He'll Korma in and try and prove himself over the two weeks.

When asked what he'll sing to the team if he signs, he said he was torn between "Tears on my Pilau, I’m a Bhaji Girl or Jalfrezi Little Thing Called Love".

On the trip over he'll be accompanied by his Naan.

[Divvy]

His agent asked us to Tikka chance on him. He'll Korma in and try and prove himself over the two weeks.

When asked what he'll sing to the team if he signs, he said he was torn between "Tears on my Pilau, I’m a Bhaji Girl or Jalfrezi Little Thing Called Love".

On the trip over he'll be accompanied by his Naan.

And his Pappa Dom. (sic)

[akranes]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Reading-FC-offer-Brandon-Fernandes-two-week-trial/articleshow/16829733.cms

Interesting. He is believed to be a cross between Messi, Ronaldo and Heskey.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak4Ius1i-_c
0:19 I think that is him laughing manically.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jniZ6hr3 ... re=related
Pretty good goal.

[moonwalklikebas]

Good to see traditional Berkshire Middle Class racism is still alive and well. Its a little embarrassing!!!

[SPARTA]

Good to see traditional Berkshire Middle Class racism is still alive and well. Its a little embarrassing!!!

You're probably the only idiot here who misreads puns as racism.

[Barry the bird boggler]

Contents of the above Times link

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Reading-FC-offer-Brandon-Fernandes-two-week-trial/articleshow/16829733.cms

PANAJI: The suspense over which English Premier League (EPL) club Brandon Fernandes has gone for trials has finally ended.

Brandon's UK based management company, Kemp Thornton, have been reluctant to name the club who offered the India junior international a two-week trial, but those in the know said Brandon, 18, is heading to Reading Football Club.

"Brandon is due to train at Reading FC for two weeks once he passes the medical test on Wednesday. Brandon is looking forward to the test," a source close to the footballer told TOI on Monday.

Brandon -- the only Indian footballer to play for all age-group teams -- has already left Cape Town in South Africa for London on Monday and is accompanied by Africa Soccer Development (ASD) Cape Town director Mike Steptoe.

Since being promoted to the English Premier League (EPL), Reading FC have been far from impressive. With no league wins from six matches, Brian McDermott's side is languishing in the relegation zone, thanks largely to the absence of star players and lack of confidence.

Despite the relative low profile of the club, until now a tightly-guarded secret, interest in Brandon's English assignment is soaring.

"The last 24 hours have been manic. Brandon's opportunity seems to have inspired Indians across the globe, and we have been swamped with emails and phone calls. It's fantastic and we can't wait to see what the rest of the week brings," a Kemp Thornton spokesperson said.

The news of Brandon's trial has created a buzz in football circles in South Asia and the one most excited remains ASD director Mike Steptoe, who, two years ago, was ridiculed for doing the scouting in cricket-crazy India.

"Everyone in football told me I was wasting my time looking in India for potential talent that could one day play in top European leagues, but we discovered that there is as much raw talent in India as everywhere else in the world. Brandon is a super talent and regardless of the outcome of this trial, we believe he has a future in professional soccer," said Steptoe. Brandons' father, Jaju Fernandes, a former executive committee member of the Goa Football Association, was nervous as well as excited.

"We have always dreamed of seeing our son play football at the highest level," said Jaju




Brandon comes from Goa which means, as you can probably tell from his name, a large amount of Portuguese heritage. Hope he does really well, love to see Reading take a lead on asian sub-continent talent. Also could do wonders in providing some useful revenue if it works out.

[MouldyRoyal]

From a cynical point of view, it's great from a marketing and merchandising perspective.

Having Ji-Sung Park gave Man U a massive supporter base in South Korea as he is a huge deal over there. I wouldn't be surprised to see QPR suddenly gain some fans there since August.

[Barry the bird boggler]

Could also mean a bit more if he is a success at Reading given the large Indian communities in Slough and parts of Reading. Long way to go obviously but the connection makes real sense and if they could unearth a real talent there is a lot to tap both globally and locallly.

[Geekins]

a lot to tap both globally and locallly.

Excellent, need some new female fans visiting the mad stad.

[pea]

Good to see traditional Berkshire Middle Class racism is still alive and well. Its a little embarrassing!!!

You're probably the only idiot here who misreads puns as racism.

Not sure where you get this misplaced faith in HNA?

If this goes well and we get the same amount of Indian fans signing up as Planet Swans did when they signed their Korean this is going to be hilarious

[Elm Park Pasty]

Just curious, he is Brandon Fernandes right? QPR's chairman is Tony Fernandes. You don't think he was told that he was coming for a trial with the Premier League club that wears Blue and White hooped shirts with his uncle Tony and ended up at RFC by mistake???

[akranes]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/interviews/Ive-done-my-best-at-Reading-Brandon-Fernandes/articleshow/17011443.cms

"I've done my best during the trial period at Reading FC. It was difficult at the start since it was more of direct football and a lot physical, but once the adjustments were made, I was as good as anybody else,"

"I had two (goal) assists and we scored three goals. I felt confident throughout the match and never out of place,"

"I am pretty confident that I have done enough,"

[MouldyRoyal]

direct football

Oh dear, he's not getting signed now then is he!

Also heard he has been on trial at Leicester

[themadstad]

If this lad is good and gets signed it'll raise our profile a little. Football is big in the state of Goa, which is where he's from, and it's already been in the local media. Though football is generally growing across India now anyway.

Good luck to him and who knows we could unearth a gem.

Apparently our decision will be made in the next few days now his trial has ended.

[Royal91]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/interviews/Ive-done-my-best-at-Reading-Brandon-Fernandes/articleshow/17011443.cms

"I've done my best during the trial period at Reading FC. It was difficult at the start since it was more of direct football and a lot physical, but once the adjustments were made, I was as good as anybody else,"

"I had two (goal) assists and we scored three goals. I felt confident throughout the match and never out of place,"

"I am pretty confident that I have done enough,"

If Brandon's actually said that, then he's a bit arrogant and I LIKE it!