The show goes on for young duo

For some it's the end of the world, for others it's just the beginning.

With the 2009/10 fixtures already out, released youngsters can only hope while former team-mates start to dream.

In an era where Ronaldo costs more than any League One or Two club combined, hundreds of teenage cast-offs are now searching for a second chance.

The Portuguese ace represents the pinnacle and obscene nature of the game, as those left behind watch with awe and disgust.

While the youngsters let go by clubs can't be described as being on the scrapheap just yet, there is a void where their dreams used to be.

Wolves trio Lewis Gobern, Alex Melbourne, Matt Bailey were all released while Albion jettisoned Seb Lake-Gaskin and Zak Martin, who both had trials at Walsall.

The Saddlers buck the trend with youngsters, 12 of their current squad have come through the ranks, though they can still wield the axe.

Mark Lowe was the final player released by the Saddlers last season, who signed just three of their second year scholars on professional deals.

As pals Sam Adkins, Will Grigg and Darryl Westlake celebrated, Lowe was left to contemplate an uncertain future.

But the 18-year-old from Great Barr is philosophical about his career.

He knows he is in a better position than many and isn't afraid of dropping out of the Football League.

The midfielder said: "There are loads of players who have been released.

"It's not just professional football clubs, I know lads from Sutton Coldfield Town who have gone, so it's more difficult for them.

"If I can get myself back and go into non-league I'll be playing competitive football, it's better to have a year out and then get back in to the professional game.

"I have to keep my head down and work hard now. Being released has made me realise how much football means to me because I've been doing it every day."

The mature Lowe is hopeful of netting a trial at Kidderminster – Saddlers' head of youth Mick Halsall knows Harriers boss Mark Yates well – but the disappointment of his Banks's Stadium departure remains.

He said: "I was gutted. They kept the four of us until the end and everyone thought we were going to get deals.

"I was disappointed and surprised, because I thought I'd done well enough and I had a great two years as a scholar.

"Chris Hutchings thought I'd done well in training with the first team, but I wasn't the player he was looking for."

Boss Hutchings left Southend as a teenager, heading to Harrow Borough before being snapped up by Chelsea.

Wing star Michael Kightly was also released by the Shrimpers before starring for Wolves via Grays – something which inspires Lowe.

He said: "Chris told me to keep my head up and prove him wrong, because it happened to him.

"When you think about dropping down from the Football League, you think standards are going to be poor everywhere but it's not like that.

"As long as I'm playing football I'm happy."

Lowe's former team-mate Harry Harris is already ploughing his own furrow in the non-league game.

Harris left the Saddlers at the end of January after his deal expired and admits he needed to move, after a frustrating year under former manager Jimmy Mullen.

The 20-year-old, who was already on loan at Chasetown before the end of his Saddlers deal, felt he needed a change.

He said: "I had a great year with the youth team and when I got my first year professional deal I really enjoyed it under Richard Money.

"But under Jimmy Mullen I didn't enjoy it one bit. Sometimes your face doesn't fit and I don't think it did under Jimmy, I needed a change for myself."

The Aldridge-based attacking midfielder is now enjoying his football and believes the non-league can be the springboard for his career.

He said: "It was a fresh start, I went to Chasetown to enjoy my football and Charlie (Blakemore, manager) likes me as a player.

"I was going into games looking forward to it because there was no pressure.

"Charlie says if I perform next season I'll be able to get back into the League and I'm confident I can."