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15 year old Will Packwood first attracted attention from Manchester United while attending his second YPT Residence Program in 2005. A few weeks later the Boston native went on trial at Manchester United’s academy in England. Soon after, Will was identified by the United States National Team program as a 13 year old. The following year, in 2006, Will spent 6 weeks at the Birmingham City academy and was subsequently offered a youth contract. In 2007, he moved to England permanently in order to pursue a career as a professional footballer. He has been there ever since and, by all accounts, is thriving.

This Friday, Will will take another unforgettable step on his journey when he will do something that very few Americans have done…he will play at Anfield, the legendary home of the storied Liverpool Football Club when his Birmingham city team take on the Reds in the second leg of the FA Youth Cup semi-finals.  

The FA Youth Cup is the most prestigious youth tournament in England and mirrors the FA Cup format. Over 400 teams enter the tournament each year but, of course, there can only be one winner. The other semi final will see Manchester City against Arsenal. Over 20,000 people turned out to see Arsenal's quarter-final match up against Tottenham.

Manchester City won last year’s FA Youth Cup. Manchester United has won a record 9 Youth Cups. Arsenal has won 6 and Liverpool 3. Birmingham City last made it to the finals in 1967.

This tournament, Birmingham City has beaten Lincoln City 2-1 [3^rd round], Crewe Alexandra 3-2 [4^th round], Cardiff 2-0 [5^th round] and Watford 1-0 [quarter-finals].

Will is in the starting line-up for the match against Liverpool and, at only 15, will be one of the youngest players playing at Anfield this Friday.

The April 24th game can be seen on Liverpool TV at www.liverpoolfc.tv at 4:45pm est (9:45pm UK).  The match can also be seen on Setanta Sports 1.

Will can be seen below, 5th from the right, at Birmingham City's St. Andrew's stadium just before the semi-final, first-leg match against Liverpool.

Liverpool FC has played its home games at the Anfield Road stadium since the club was born in 1892, however, matches have been played on the site starting in 1884.

The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 as of August 31^st, of the current season, are eligible to take part.

At the end of the Second World War the FA had decided to organize a 'Youth Championship' for County Associations considering it the best way to stimulate the game among those youngsters not yet old enough to play professional football. The matches didn't attract large crowds but outstanding players were selected for Youth Internationals and thousands were given the chance to play in a national contest for the first time.

In 1951 it was realized that a competition for clubs would probably have a wider appeal. The 'The FA Youth Challenge Cup' (season 1952-53) was restricted to the youth teams of clubs, both professional and amateur, who were members of the FA.