Ray Winstone is spearheading a new campaign to support young footballers released by professional clubs.

With 99% of aspiring players rejected as they bid to earn pro contracts, the West Ham fan and movie star believes more should be done to manage the exit process. 

And that is why he is using his position as co-founder of Integral Sports Management to call upon the Premier League and EFL to support a proposed referral service to help youngsters who find their dreams in tatters.

Winstone, 64, said: "Young people are our future and rejection is a difficult thing to deal with at any age.

"But it is particularly tough when you’re younger and when the disappointment is your dreams and aspirations. 

"This is the reason I wanted to create a different type of sports agency and use my experience from the film industry, where rejection can be daily for some.

"I hope this proposal by ISM is considered seriously by football’s governing bodies and that anyone who can have a positive influence in football gets behind us."

Rejection hits hard

Many children spend years with clubs before failing to make the grade.

When Harvey Peters was released by Norwich recently, he and his father Keith turned to ISM for assistance.

A trial with Watford was secured and Peters has now agreed a scholarship — much to the delight of Winstone (pictured above).

He added: "I’m over the moon to see the difference our approach has had already with players like Harvey."

ISM’s online service would ensure there is an automatic referral to specialists who can offer mental health and well-being advice, details of further education opportunities and direct links to other partners. 

With that support network in place, young players would be able train to acquire a trade and still play football to a good level.

Young people are our future and rejection is a difficult thing to deal with at any age Ray Winstone

Keith Peters said: "When Harvey was told he was being released by Norwich, there was disappointment and tears.

"The reality is that most young players in the academy system are released and very few make it to a professional contract.

"In many cases, players are at the club for many years before the fateful decision is made.

"I don’t doubt the decision is taken based on a professional assessment of a player’s strengths and weaknesses but in Harvey’s case our family bubble was there for him and that was key to helping him deal with it.

"Players he played with also messaged him to say he was too good not to be snapped up by another club and those messages lifted his spirits no end and gave him renewed determination.

"I know not all young players have that family support bubble and to see players taking their own lives is a tragedy. It is good to see ISM canvassing for more support being provided to young players when they are released by clubs.

"I know of players released who have not coped well with the rejection and who are now undergoing counselling. 

"In some cases, the parents struggle with the rejection as much as the boys themselves. 

"There is a lot of money in the professional game and I would like to see a better support structure for those rejected by clubs so the sort of tragedies we read about are eradicated sooner rather than later."