Bobby Bowry made his name in South London with Crystal Palace and Millwall.
Now the former midfielder from Croydon is trying to help the next generation of stars from the streets of London south of the river.
The huge talent pool is in the spotlight after featuring in One Shot: The Football Factory on Sky Documentaries. Filmed over the course of 18 months, the programme follows the progress of wannabe Premier League stars as they hone their skills on South London's artificial pitches and cages.
They hope to catch the eye of scouts from clubs who could put them on a potential path to stardom, while also offering a lucrative way to escape their often tough lives.
South London has provided nearly 20 per cent of all English Premier League footballers in recent years with the likes of Camberwell duo Tammy Abraham and Jadon Sancho among the most high-profile.
Yet for every one that makes it, thousands are overlooked and it is from this mass of hopefuls that Bowry’s Volenti academy train selected youngsters and arrange showcase matches where they can still get spotted.
Ex-Premier League midfielder Bowry, 51, told the Mirror: “Everyone wants to be the next one or the jewel in the crown but the process is so tough now.
“I went in at 19 to Palace and my first training session I was alongside Ian Wright and Mark Bright and realised it is dog eat dog. Now if you don’t get your boy in a club by 12-13 it becomes very much snobbery and becomes very hard to get in the system - you have to be exceptional.
“Some clubs get as many U8s and U9s in as possible but only a frighteningly small percentage stay the course. We have been really successful in the last three to four years with our U16s-U19s in our Volenti football programme which we run out of the London Nautical School in Blackfriars.
“Last year we won four national titles and have a lot of success with boys who come out of the system and you reinvigorate them. The system is brilliant but it is brilliant for the ones who make it.
“On a Monday night in Croydon we have 180 kids and we have had about 55 signed by clubs. They play showcase games, this weekend our U18s play Watford and already this season our U16s played Portsmouth and drew 1-1.
“We also drew with MK Dons and beat Southampton 's elite centre. We are not a football club but are doing the football clubs’ work for them.
“”Our job is to develop their skills and mentality and give them that bit extra which some pro clubs don’t give because they are only looking for one or two. A lot of the boys come to us for something extra and a little TLC.”
Bowry and Volenti, who also coach girls, are now expanding their network and have just linked up with Kyle and Elliott Bennett in the Midlands, where the duo started out with Wolves.
The brothers hold over 900 professional appearances between them and have launched launch their new ‘23 Academy’ at the Thomas Telford School in Shropshire, which they used to attend.
Bennett staged a free taster session this month ahead of a new Monday evening academy in September. His Hednesford team-mate Leroy Lita, who played in the top-flight with Reading and Swansea, was also on hand to help the youngsters along with Bowry.
Bennett, 31, who is running another free taster session on August 23, said: “If you don’t get picked up by clubs, where is your middle ground and who is helping you get the extra training to get to that level?
“I feel that is what is missing. You can’t ever promise anyone anything and guarantee you will make someone into a professional footballer.
“I would never say that but with extra training , guidance and confidence, kids can still have a future in the game. We are not trying to take anyone’s players from their local team, we are just an extension of that.”
Londoner Lita, 37, who also helps run an academy in Nuneaton and coaches at Walsall, has been helping pal Bennett in Telford. He said: “I don’t think enough players go into coaching.
“Lots just go off into other things and it is a shame because they have so much to give to these young players. I think it would make a big difference.
“It is not something you can do half-hearted but I am passionate about it. It is good to see young players trying to achieve their dream.”
