Stellar highs and deep lows:

As kids, many of us dream of becoming professional footballers, idolising those who we watch weekly on TV.

Michael was one of those, and has turned his dream into reality.

He told me his story, from making his professional debut, to missing out on doing the thing that he loves most.

Stickland began his youth career at Farnham Town, as well as featuring for the district and county on numerous occasions. After training with Brentford at a young age and an unsuccessful trial at Crystal Palace as a teenager, Reading were the club to give Stickland his next opportunity, which he grabbed with both hands. A successful trial period led to a scholarship deal being signed, and eventually a professional contract.

Working through the age groups, Stickland became a critical member of the U23 side, to which he later became captain of. His hard work and strong performances ensured he was called up to first team training for the first time:

"The first time I trained with the first team I was taken back when I was asked. I got a message from the U23s coach in the morning saying that the first team were going to need me, and I was buzzing. Going up there and seeing people you look up to on a day-to-day basis and getting the opportunity to train with them was amazing, but I also knew I needed and wanted to show my levels of ability."

And this ability was quickly shown. Michael made his professional debut in the Carabao Cup at Home to Swansea City on 10th August 2021. He replaced fellow academy graduate Tom McIntyre at the half way stage.

"“It was a great honour. It was an opportunity that is not a given, so I was proud of the hard work that I put in and grateful for the support that my family gave me when I was younger. Getting to this point where I could make my professional debut, especially for a club like Reading, could not have been achieved without them. I was hugely proud but at the same time I knew there was a job to be done so I was really focused on the game."

"Coming on at half time, all I thought about was trying to do my job and help influence others, rather than succumbing to the occasion. It was a tough game as we had quite a lot of youngsters playing, and the result didn't go our way which was a shame because I think we gave a good account of ourselves."

"Swansea had a bit too much firepower on the day. They came with an experienced strong squad so coming away from it I was disappointed about the result. However, I was also immensely proud that I got the opportunity to make my professional debut, so it was a bittersweet feeling.”

Stickland, 19, was not scouted by a professional academy until the age of 15.

And the appearances kept on coming. A Championship debut at Home to Middlesbrough followed, as well as an FA Cup debut Away to Kidderminster Harriers. Numerous involvements with the first team reflected the hard work and credit Stickland deserved.

Shortly after, disaster struck. Stickland tore his hamstring and faced an extended period on the sidelines.

“The first injury was in February 2022 where I tore my hamstring. It was a grade 3C tear so quite severe and meant that I would either have to have surgery or enter a rehabilitation phase. We decided the best plan for me was to go with the rehab, and that took about eight weeks."

"When it comes to hamstrings, they are quite prone to doing them again within the first six months. Unfortunately, in my rehab I re ruptured my hamstring, having the same injury again. Therefore, the surgery route second time around had to be done which was it was a big pill to swallow. It was one of those where I just had to take it out the chin really and move on, focussing on getting back as soon as possible."

"I had the surgery in late April 2022 and then followed the recovery pattern that the consultant gave us and went on from there.”

It was not just the physical effects of the injury that Stickland was feeling. Facing a long period away from the game also introduced many mental challenges.

“I think from the physical side of things hamstrings are very prone to go again and I've had that twice now. It is one of those where I am at risk of being affected later in my career from this so had to really slow down and take time with each stage of the rehab. This is to make sure that it doesn't become a big problem further down the line or where it could get to the point where I just can't play football again."

"From the mental side, there has been times where it's been really tough. Not being able to do what you love every day can get you down and the fact that I was getting close to training, getting it ripped away was brutal. It has happened quite a few times and has led to missing a whole season of football so there has been times where it has been really difficult."

"However, I think having the right people around you like physios and family as support is the only way to really to get through it. If you do it alone, you probably won't get through it, so you have to have the right people around you and I am very lucky to have had those I trusted this challenging time.”

Looking ahead to next season, Michael hopes to return to full training and get back playing competitively once again.

“In terms of next season, I just want to get fit and stay fit. Obviously, not playing a game this season has been horrible, so that is the main target for myself. "

"Getting consistent games and staying fit, as well as getting a lot of minutes in my legs whether that's most likely U21s or pushing back into the first team."

"Realistically, after a long time out, I think I need my time to just get back playing football, get back into the swing of things and get into my groove again.”

Image captions