The eight-year-old had been part of Everton’s academy and was particularly attached to the club because he supports them and has a season ticket. Wayne Rooney and Coleen Rooney discussed the experience on The Therapy Crouch podcast.
Coleen explained that the family knew a decision was approaching as the academy squad was reduced.
“We knew he wasn't going to stay because he wasn't one of the stronger ones there and the day came when we got the phone call.”
She then recalled having to break the news to her son.
“I phoned him [Wayne] and I was like, 'You're going to have to tell him,' and then I had a moment before he [Wayne] came in and he [Cass] was on his own in the house.”
“I was like, 'Cass, I've had a call and you're not going to be going into the next [year at Everton]' and he threw his head into his hands and he just burst out crying.”
The disappointment did not last long, however.
“But an hour later? He forgot about it. He was fine. He still plays for his grassroots team and he was on the phone straight away to my mum and dad saying, 'Everton have released me.'”
Wayne Rooney then put the setback into perspective by pointing out that academy rejection is common even among talented young players.
“If you think about, anything really, even in school, you have people in higher sets, that's part of life isn't it?”
The former Manchester United and Everton forward also reminded Cass that players can take very different routes into professional football.
“In football, the amount of players we've played with [gestures to Crouch] who maybe don't make it at Man United, Everton or Liverpool, but then they go and play [elsewhere], so there's opportunity to have a career.”
Rooney used his own childhood as an example, telling his son there was no reason to rush a decision about his future.
“And you forget, they're so young. I said to him, 'I didn't join Everton's academy until I was nine, so actually you've got loads of time. Enjoy playing football and if it comes, it comes.'”
Wayne Rooney has also spoken about wanting his sons to establish themselves on their own merits. Kai Rooney, 16, has been awarded a scholarship at Manchester United, while Klay Rooney is also in the academy.
Cass continues to play grassroots football after the release, with his father’s message focused on the amount of time he still has to develop.