young GK has signed a two year deal with QPR - first year as a full apprentice and second year on a pro contract.
Played 2014 with Ellerslie AFC in the U19's and Reserves as well as playing in the winning ACFC U17's team
Played 2013 with Beachlands Maraetai in their first team in AFF/NFF Conference (pretty sure)
Looks to be a good prospect.
Awesome news. Met this kid earlier this year and he was clearly well brought up as well as being a good prospect. Best of luck to him
Conor is a good mate of mine and he has heaps of potential to go far as a goalkeeper
Who was his goal keeper coach in NZ Chopah?
Niko used to be at ACFC - also worked out at Waitak from memory.
transfer to be completed in the Jan transfer window - can't sign before then as officially it's an international transfer and the window needs to be open to complete the transfer.
Nik (Miroslav) Nikolic also used to coach Westlake
really hope reading win today and send QPR down @Mattt_Heath
— Conor Tracey (@conortracey1) abril 28, 2013
I don't think that's the same Conor Tracey - seems quite a co-incendince though.
Tracey now a QPR player - 14 month pro contract. Leaves this week for London. Sounds like it's a full professional contact, not an apprenticeship.
Young Kiwi goalkeepers playing professionally in UK and Europe now:
Tracey, Basalaj, Marinovic, Gould, Crocombe
Hopefully they'll go on to good careers.
http://www.aucklandfootball.org.nz/index.php?id=44...
"A young Beachlands boy is on the road to turning his dream into reality after signing his first professional football contract.
Conor Tracey is on the path to joining the football elite, securing a 14-month professional deal with English outfit Queens Park Rangers.
The 17-year-old goalkeeper, who came through the ranks at Beachlands Maraetai AFC, leaves for London this week to begin training with the Premier League team.
The former Beachlands Primary School student travelled to England in the latter part of 2014 and secured trials at the Loftus Road club.
He played for the QPR youth team against Coventry City and Crewe Alexandra.
His performances impressed the bosses and after his return to New Zealand he received a call from the club saying they wanted to sign him.
On receiving the news, the teen says he was speechless...."
Sorry Lads, missed this thread, almost as low as QPR are on the table. anyway, this article appeared yesterday on a QPR website...
Oceania Football: BEACHLANDS, New Zealand - March 1, 2015 - A young Beachlands boy is on the road to turning his dream into reality after signing his first professional football contract.
Conor Tracey is on the path to joining the football elite, securing a 14-month professional deal with English outfit Queens Park Rangers.
The 17-year-old goalkeeper, who came through the ranks at Beachlands Maraetai AFC, leaves for London this week to begin training with the Premier League team.
The former Beachlands Primary School student travelled to England in the latter part of 2014 and secured trials at the Loftus Road club.
He played for the QPR youth team against Coventry City and Crewe Alexandra.
His performances impressed the bosses and after his return to New Zealand he received a call from the club saying they wanted to sign him.
On receiving the news, the youngster says he was speechless.
“I didn’t know what to say, what to do, what to think.
“Mum looked at me with wide eyes and a big smile across her face, and dad was trying to remain focused and calm. It was awesome, just felt awesome,” Tracey says.
Tracey began his playing career at Beachlands Maraetai as a five-year-old and remained at the club for eight years.
He went on to Onehunga Sports for two seasons and was part of their WYNRS U-15 team that won the Pacific finals of the Manchester United Premier Cup in Melbourne.
He later returned to Beachlands to take his first steps into adult football, playing for the senior men’s reserves at age 15.
Tracey was also an integral part of Beachlands' senior first team in the 2012/13 season.
In 2014, he joined Ellerslie U-19s and also played for Auckland City U-20s in two campaigns in the ASB Youth League.
Plaudits are already coming in thick and fast for the young starlet.
Beachlands junior president Phil Doran coached Conor in his first senior team and says even then he showed star quality.
“The most noticeable thing for me was, even as a youngster competing in a senior league, he always kept his calm and never showed any signs of feeling intimidated by senior players.
"He performed fantastically well and played a pivotal role in turning the team’s fortunes around,’’ Phil says
Doran adds that Tracey is a great role model for young hopefuls at Beachlands.
“His dedication and attitude is incredible. If other young players can show the same qualities there’s no reason why they can’t go on to big things," he says.
“The fact he is a local boy and managed to achieve this sets a new standard.
“It instils a confidence in me in what we do at the club at a junior level and is an example of what can be achieved if the right foundations are set at the grassroots. Dreams can be realised,” he adds.
Tracey admits the journey to reaching his dream of playing professional football has not been easy and has taken a great deal of commitment and sacrifice.
The young keeper says that without the support of his parents it wouldn’t have been possible.
“They played the biggest role, driving me all over the place to get me to games and training, and guiding me in the right direction.
“My parents always told me it’s not about playing for the best or winning club, it’s about development as a player. Everything they’ve done has always been supportive,” he says.
On advice to younger players wanting to succeed in the game, he says to keep working hard and make sure you stay focused.
“Train like you play, and play like you train,” Tracey says.
He says the years he spent playing at Beachlands instilled in him the desire to want to be a footballer.
“Beachlands definitely gave me the right development and coaching in my younger years. There was lots of fun and great coach relationships that gave the right motivation for me to want to keep playing football,’’ he says.
Beachlands president Brian Preston says Tracey is a massive inspiration to any child who dreams of playing football at a high level.
“Conor spent 10 years at the club. This shows other young aspiring players that you can come from a small place like Beachlands and, with hard work, skill and determination, you can achieve,” he says.
Preston captained the Beachlands senior team when Tracey was part of the squad, both as an outfield player and goalkeeper.
“We saw then how special he was.
"We knew he would play at a high level, either in New Zealand or overseas. The latter has eventuated,’’ he says.
Story courtesy of Teri Doran (Beachlands Maraetai AFC)
For more on Auckland football, visit www.aucklandfootball.org.nz.
Article didn't mention that all his previous clubs were asked to sign away any right to any development fees from QPR not sure who signed but was clear that only way he would be signed was if no fees.
Article didn't mention that all his previous clubs were asked to sign away any right to any development fees from QPR not sure who signed but was clear that only way he would be signed was if no fees.
That's a crock of sh*t from QPR. They're not exactly short of ££££
youre right, we are only 140 million in debt. Lots of money to spend.
Article didn't mention that all his previous clubs were asked to sign away any right to any development fees from QPR not sure who signed but was clear that only way he would be signed was if no fees.
That's a crock of sh*t from QPR. They're not exactly short of ££££
and surprisingly the club with probably the least to gain had the only complaint - bear in mind Beachlands who would have received the bulk of the development fee (probably enough to run their programs for years to come) didn't bat an eyelid when they were faced with decision.
It is not great from QPR but the greater good would have been another Kiwi in a pro environment.
Oh I see Conor has left for QPR now from Auckland Youth Team - must to had to wait till he was 18? Thought he had been sacked or got homesick. My bad.
Oh I see Conor has left for QPR now from Auckland Youth Team - must to had to wait till he was 18? Thought he had been sacked or got homesick. My bad.
Contract was cancelled after he failed a medical for some horseshark reason, I think the change in coaching effected his contract. Pretty gutting for him, he is a good kid.
BMAFC @BMAFC Feb 21 Auckland Region, New Zealand
Conor Tracey giving thumbs up while undergoing his medical at #QPR Good Luck from everyone at #BMAFC pic.twitter.com/V89vKUK89q
Playing regularly for Auckland City youth team in the ASB youth league under Jose Figueira:
http://www.nzfootball.co.nz/auckland-city-name-youth-league-side/
http://www.aucklandcityfc.com/news/article.asp?ID=1486
"Auckland City FC goalkeeper Conor Tracey was kept busy despite his team dominating possession and he made an important save six minutes from the end of the first half to deny Judd Baker."
