Touchline No. 26 / MAY 2015 www.lfe.org.uk @LFEonline /LFEonline

LEWISCHAMPIONSHIP APPRENTICE COOK OF THE YEAR

THE DEBUTANTS P6 APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR AWARDS P8 OUT OF THE ASHES P18 BRITS ABROAD P20 While big guns Chelsea and Manchester City face off in the final, this season’s FA Youth Cup FA Youth Cup threw up some great stories for clubs on LFE’s programme. In brief Several clubs reached the latter stages. the GOAL Touchline takes a look at them… The latest eleven talented 11 teenagers to make the grade in LFE’s February OF THE MONTH BY GAVIN WILLACY line-up, as voted by our team of BY ELAINE BRAND Regional Officers, were: Goal of the Month has flourished again this Daniel Gallagher AFC Wimbledon term. More clubs than ever before now submit Kieran Dunbar Birmingham City goals to be shortlisted and viewing figures Dominic Telford Blackpool remain strong. Tyler Lyttle Bristol Rovers Over 10,000 votes have already been cast this Ademola Lookman Charlton Athletic season and at the time of writing seven players Jodi Jones Dagenham & Redbridge had received monthly awards. Jacob Hanson Huddersfield Town February’s selection featured eight superb Hayden Coulson Middlesbrough strikes but Derby County’s James Carvell came Spencer Brown Sheffield Wednesday out on top with 37% of the voting for his quick- Kyle King Walsall footed tap in against Bolton Wanderers. Crewe Alexandra Nottingham Forest Dennon Lewis Watford Crewe were the poster-boys for the Football Forest scraped past MK Dons after extra-time, Nominations come in on four occasions throughout the League after reaching the quarter-finals. A 5-0 won 3-0 at West Brom and beat Burnley – with season which are made by LFE’s regional officers and WATCH THE GOALS AND CAST YOUR VOTE fourth round victory over Bolton was followed by a group of LFE apprentices in their side - in the a stunning 3-2 win over Arsenal at Barnet’s Hive the winners all receive a certificate, cheque for £50 and lfe.org.uk/goal-of-the-month LFETV last 16 before falling at the quarter-final stage to coverage on the LFE website. ground thanks to strikes from Liam O’Neill and Tottenham, losing 2-1. Matty Cash had got Forest Andre Brown that bookended an own goal. back into the game after they trailed 2-0 and their Their remarkable run was ended at Manchester efforts did not go unappreciated by the vocal City. A 6-1 defeat against an Under-18 team home crowd of over 4,000 at the City Ground in a LFE Ready for boasting a wage bill that would be the envy of real taste of the big-time for Forest’s youngsters. TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2015 League One was harsh on the Alex youngsters. Coventry City Oxford United FC Finally a word for Coventry, whose apprentices Leicester City Club Meetings Seven of the Foxes team that lost to Man City in the will never forget their Youth Cup experience this semi-final were LFE apprentices, having started on season. The Sky Blues saw off an amateur club (Peterborough Northern Star), won two high- LFE's annual club meetings are set to take the programme last season when Leicester were WEDNESDAY 29 APRIL 2015 winning the Championship. They had a hard-fought scoring thrillers (one of them in extra-time) before place at Oxford, Leicester and Huddersfield. route to the last four, the highlight being a 2-0 win being well beaten at Manchester City in the fourth Leicester City FC round. Their Youth Cup adventure had everything! The events are designed to help clubs share best practice at Southampton, before an exciting quarter-final and deliver updates on the apprenticeship in sporting against Birmingham. In front of nearly 2000 fans at excellence programme. Clubs can send up to four delegates the King Power Stadium, a late header by England to the days and for registration and more information please youth international Darnell Johnson clinched a 2-1 THURSDAY 30 APRIL 2015 visit LFE's website. victory following Harvey Barnes’ equaliser. Huddersfield Town FC Birmingham City The Blues did it the hard way winning two ties in extra-time at Blackpool and to get to the last eight. A fantastic 3-2 win over Liverpool in Welcome to Touchline, brought to the previous round was secured thanks to George O’Neill scoring a first-half equaliser and setting up you by League Football Education Sam Deadfield to put them ahead.

The Blues conceded again but won it in extra-time The FA Youth Cup is the with Kieran Dunbar tucking home a rebound. In the most prestigious of prizes LFE is supported by: sixth round at Leicester, they were dreaming of the at under-18 level reaching the semis when O’Neill gave them a first half lead and they were level as the full-time whistle beckoned only to concede an 88th minute winner.

2 NEWS www.lfe.org.uk @LFEonline /LFEonline NEWS 3 Academy League Education Assessment Round-Up Support Fund Trials 2015 BY ELAINE BRAND LFE’s annual Assessment Trials offers players the chance to showcase their talents in front of an army of scouts from professional clubs, non-league and from Universities in the UK and abroad. The events which are open to those who are coming towards the end of their apprenticeship or the end of a first professional contract (Under 19 year), aim to help players find a route back into the game at MAY DEADLINE FOR an appropriate level. 31 ESF SUBMISSIONS FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.lfe.org.uk/trials2015 As the deadline for making a claim from the Education Support Fund looms nearer, LFE chief executive Alan Sykes has warned clubs to ‘not leave things to the last minute’. As the season draws to a close, we analyse how the league season has panned out. Claim forms and supporting documentation North West Alliance U18 Professional Development League North must be received at LFE before 31 May for an At the time of writing Bury, Wigan Athletic and Nottingham Forest have climbed to the summit of award to be made. THURSDAY 30 APRIL 2015 were embroiled in a rat race for top spot. the league, storming past Huddersfield Town and To date just thirty-five per cent of the fund has Bradford City Football Club, Park The Latics’ 3-2 victory over the Shakers backed midlands rivals Birmingham City. While Forest have been drawn down by clubs and Sykes is eager to up by another win against Accrington Stanley has a 10 point advantage their rivals both have two ensure the clubs do not dwell over applications. given them the upper hand and they were set to games in hand and will be determined to claw back leapfrog their rivals with a victory over as many points as possible. “I would urge clubs to make claims as soon Preston in their penultimate game. as possible and not leave things until the last U18 Professional Development League South minute,” said Sykes. “Clubs run the risk of being North East Alliance Brentford remain out in front with a total of fifty- unable to maximise their claim or missing out Bradford City became the first club to confirm their three points but their fate may be determined by altogether otherwise.” status as champions, claiming back-to-back North Charlton Athletic who could equal that tally by East Alliance titles. Chesterfield are now fighting taking maximum points from their two games in Any queries should be directed to Alan Sykes TUESDAY 5 MAY 2015 on 0870 458 9250 or email: [email protected] it out with Doncaster Rovers for second place and hand. Staines Town Football Club, Wheatsheaf Park the two teams excitingly face each other in the last game of the season. U18 With the North and South divisions combining into South East & West Merit 1 three groups based on positions at the midway The top performers from both the South East stage, we can report that it is Middlesbrough who Pass4Soccer and South West Alliances combined to create a top group one with Craig Liddle’s starlets taking Pass4Soccer the organisation LFE has post-Christmas play-off division and it is Plymouth nine points from four games. Group two is led by been working exclusively with to open up Argyle who are standing tallest. The Pilgrims Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Sunderland and the opportunity for players to pursue soccer remain unbeaten in ten games and if that record Derby County closing in from second and third WEDNESDAY 6 MAY 2015 is extended to eleven, they will be crowned respectively. Blackburn Rovers are proving to be scholarships in America is hosting a trial Port Vale Football Club, champions ahead of second placed Luton Town. the in-form team in Group 3 with an unbeaten run game in May. of four games heading into the final stages of the The event which will take place on Friday 8 May South East & West Merit 2 competition. The best of the rest in the South will be determined at Sutton Coldfield Town FC, is open to players in one week’s time and it is Bristol Rovers and who have come through LFE’s apprenticeship Leyton Orient who lead the charge as the two programme and will be attended by scores of US contenders for a gold medal. The O’s will be hoping University soccer coaches keen to recruit players to take advantage of their one game in hand and for their squads for next season. that captain Freddy Moncur can continue his goal For more information about the opportunity and THURSDAY 7 MAY 2015 scoring form from midfield. to register please call Pass4Soccer on 0191 229 5263 or visit www.pass4soccer.com Walsall Football Club, The Banks’s Stadium

4 NEWS www.lfe.org.uk @LFEonline /LFEonline NEWS 5 Bright Osayi-Samuel, Henry Cameron, Dom Telford and Mark Waddington Ryan Sweeney Jodi Jones Blackpool Wimbledon Dagenham & Redbridge

1 It may have been a horrific season for Blackpool, Mark and Henry both now have half a dozen 2 Centre-back Ryan was handed a professional 3 Midfielder Jodi Jay is one of the few first but four apprentices have taken advantage of the appearances to their name, Henry signing pro for the deal early in 2015 and made his first-team debut year apprentices to make his league debut this Seasiders’ plight to make their full debuts in the League One campaign next season, Mark currently in the defeat at Dagenham & Redbridge on season. The 17-year-old from Bow in London’s Championship. out injured. They were joined in the team in March Easter Monday. Ryan is the third apprentice to East End, came on in the goalless draw at home by first year winger Bright, a Londoner, who came on be involved in Neil Ardley’s side this term, with to Portsmouth and made three more appearances After a two minute cameo on the opening day, Telford against Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton. left-back Ben Harrison a regular in the match-day off the bench for the Daggers, managed by had to wait until Christmas for his second chance, and squad and midfielder Dan Gallagher recently former Academy manager Wayne Burnett. promptly came on and scored the equaliser against making the subs bench. Local lad Ryan, from Rotherham! He had clocked up a dozen appearances Chessington, has been with the Wombles since by Easter. Midfielder Waddington also played in he was eight! August, in the League Cup and made his league debut against Rotherham. Winger Henry made his bow in January.

1 The2 Debutants3 4 5 6 7

Connor Chaplin Ben Kennedy Harry Anderson Kyle Wootton

S T . E .C V F Portsmouth ENAGE Stevenage Peterborough United Scunthorpe United

4 Forward Connor was the stand-out player for 5 Few apprentices will have had the start to 2015 6 Harry was one of six players left in limbo when 7 Local striker Kyle was delighted to be handed Pompey on their pre-season tour to Holland last that ‘Kenners’ has had. The Northern Ireland youth Crawley Town closed their academy down last his first professional start against Rochdale, on 21 summer, impressing the opposing management international was playing in central midfield for summer. It was the second successive summer March, despite tasting defeat. Wootton, who has at top Dutch clubs Vitesse Arnhem and FC Twente Stevenage Under-18s when he celebrated his 18th that had happened to him after his first club, been on the periphery of the senior squad for with his energetic and creative attacking play. They birthday in mid-January. On the last day of the month Aldershot, did the same in 2013! He got a trial the majority of this campaign, was told he would will not be surprised to hear Connor made his first- he was handed a call-up for the first team. By Easter with Peterborough and impressed the Posh be in the starting line-up by on the team debut with a five-minute cameo in December Monday he had played 13 league games and scored enough for them to take over the second year of Friday morning. and returned to Andy Awford’s side with a series four goals as well as contributing several assists in his his apprenticeship. Midfielder Harry then got his “It was a great feeling, a very proud moment,” of substitute appearances from February onwards new found role as a striker! Ben, who is from Lisburn first-team chance when academy manager Dave said Wootton who has been with the Iron since he for the League Two big fish. His progress saw him and lives in digs in Biggleswade, is now hoping for a Robertson took over from Darren Ferguson. He made was ten. “I’m thankful to the manager for giving crowned the League Two Apprentice of the Year in pro contract. his League One debut on the last day of February me the opportunity and hopefully there are many April. and has been in every match-day squad since. more to come.”

6 DEBUTANTS www.lfe.org.uk @LFEonline /LFEonline DEBUTANTS 7 CHAMPIONSHIP “He’s got a presence, a power and a drive about LFE Apprentice of the Year him. He dictated the game. The Football League Awards He’s the best one I’ve ever seen by a mile.” Lewis COOK Leeds United

BY STEVEN SUTCLIFFE

Lewis Cook’s emergence at Leeds United has been a shining light during a chaotic season at . On Sunday 19 April his star shone a little brighter as he was named LFE’s Championship Apprentice of the Year at the Football League Awards.

The youngster who helped England’s Under 17 team In what would traditionally be the second year of to European Championship glory has always seemed his apprenticeship, the central midfielder has been destined for great things. Those in the know spoke tasked with collecting in cones and other duties oft reverently of his progress at Elland Road and he was handed to apprentice players. described as “phenomenal” by just He has continued to work diligently on his education days before the start of the current campaign. programme and has been active in the community “When I first saw this boy Cook play it was through visits and coaching. phenomenal,” Cellino told the Daily Telegraph. Redfearn, however has been delighted by Cook’s “I wasn’t expecting to have someone so special maturity in the heart of his midfield and suggested playing for Leeds. He plays with personality and that despite his tender age, the Leeds team is a CHAMPIONSHIP - THE SHORTLIST skill. When I found out he was 17, it was a fantastic poorer place without him. surprise.” Joe Gomez Charlton Athletic “What an immense talent,” Redfearn said, after Cook So no pressure then? If there was it hasn’t showed. had terrorised high flying AFC Bournemouth earlier Humble, disciplined, dedicated and well-liked, this term. centre-back Joe has already made over twenty Since that glowing appraisal Cook has let his football appearances in the Addicks first-team and is an do the talking. He only turned 18 in February but has “He’s got a presence, a power and a drive about England youth colleague of Cook’s. shown the class and vision to stamp his authority on him. He dictated the game. He’s the best one I’ve the Leeds midfield and the Championship. ever seen (come through the academy) by a mile. If Fred Onyedinma Millwall we want to be successful and get into the Premier At times this term coach , a figure that Described as ‘a pleasure to work with both on League we have to keep Lewis Cook.” Cook knows well from Leeds academy (Redfearn was and off the pitch’, Fred made his Millwall debut in academy manager before assuming control of first- With both Manchester clubs and Arsenal, Liverpool 2013-14. team affairs in October) has joked about forgetting and Chelsea all rumoured to be circling for his Has spent much of this term on-loan at League Two how young Cook actually is. signature that may well prove the next challenge but Wycombe and has shown great desire to succeed for now Cook’s star continues to rise at Elland Road. not just on the pitch but academically as well.

8 APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR – CHAMPIONSHIP www.lfe.org.uk @LFEonline /LFEonline APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR – CHAMPIONSHIP 9 LEAGUE ONE LEAGUE TWO

LFE Apprentice of the Year LFE Apprentice of the Year The Football League Awards The Football League Awards George Conor COOPER CHAPLIN Crewe Alexandra Portsmouth

Crewe starlet George Cooper followed in the “We all know what George can do,” Davis continued Portsmouth striker Conor Chaplin started this year on “This season I have played youth team, reserve team footsteps of Nick Powell to collect LFE League One “he can change the game with a little bit of quality LFE’s pre-season tour to the Netherlands and finished and first-team and it’s only the start. I have got to Apprentice of the Year prize at the Football League that he has got in his locker. it by becoming the League Two Apprentice of the Year. work harder next year and hopefully make it into the Awards. first-team on a more regular basis, getting starts and “We are using him in the right way at the moment Chaplin, who has been on Pompey’s books since the getting more game time. Second year apprentice George, who has already but we know he’s a quality player and we are sure he age of 6, was one of the star men on the Under-18’s been named in “The 11” this term - has been a will become the player we know he can be.” tour last summer. He has made the most of the second “I set myself small targets but I’m just trying to help the regular in and around the Alex first-team squad since year of his apprenticeship after being hampered by team be as successful as we can be.” Cooper’s progress on the pitch has been coupled making his debut in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in injury in the 2013-14 campaign and recently fulfilled a with a strong academic effort on the Apprenticeship For now hitting those small targets have helped September. life-long dream by scoring his first goal in the Football programme, which has impressed Reaseheath Chaplin sign a first professional deal last October, League against Morecambe in April. Described as a ‘game-changer’ by manager Steve College lecturer Goff, Alex’s head of appear and score in the first-team and win the League Davis, the 18-year-old’s stock has risen since he education Dave Whiteside and LFE’s Keith Leighton. “I just concentrated on my touch and putting it across Two Apprentice of the Year Award, a fine start for the celebrated his full home debut with a stunning the goal like every coach teaches you to do, either the Worthing lad with a big future. winning goal against Coventry. keeper parries it and someone gets a tap in or it goes in. Thankfully mine went in,” Chaplin said. The Warrington-born forward has made the majority LEAGUE ONE - THE SHORTLIST LEAGUE TWO - THE SHORTLIST of his 25 appearances to date from the substitute’s While Pompey slipped to a 3-1 defeat against the bench, scoring 3 goals, however Davis has predicted Giorgio Rasulo Milton Keynes Dons Shrimps the 18-year-old’s contribution capped a Ben Harrison AFC Wimbledon a bright future for the youngster and spoken of his memorable season. desire to integrate him into his starting eleven The 18-year-old England youth international with Since joining the club in 2007, Ben has developed an eye for goal has been a regular contender Chaplin said: “Scoring that goal is the best feeling his footballing talents alongside social, academic “We are always looking at how we can fit him in and in LFE’s Goal of the Month contest. Signed I have ever felt. I would have preferred it in better and personal skills to become a likeable and where is best for him in the system we’re playing at professional terms last year and became a circumstances but it is something I have grown up mature member of the club. His hard work, focus the moment,” Davis said. regular feature in Karl Robinson’s first-team dreaming of doing. and dedication on and off the pitch has been towards the end of 2013-14. rewarded with a professional contract and regular “We want to try and keep the two forwards up the “Since I was six I have been at Pompey, it is the only call-ups to the first team. pitch and that makes it more difficult for George as Louis Reed Sheffield United club I have ever played for and to even think of playing he’s used to playing off the front, or wide. for the first-team is something I had dreamt of. For that Ryan Johnson Stevenage In his first year as an apprentice Louis was an to happen in December was a dream come true. integral part of the youth team that reached the Signed on a two-year scholarship in 2013, Ryan was FA Youth Cup quarter-final. He has since gone on “And to then actually score my first goal for a club I rewarded for his outstanding progress with his first to become an established member of the first- enjoy playing for is an unbelievable feeling. professional contract just a year later. He entered team squad but has remained committed to his the record books when he became the youngest- education and is active in the local community. ever Football League debutant for Stevenage at just 17 years and 215 days in May 2014.

10 APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR – LEAGUE ONE www.lfe.org.uk @LFEonline /LFEonline APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR – LEAGUE TWO 11 12 LIFESKILLS

LIFE SKILLS partners,a seriesof here’s howthat playedoutstatistically. LifeSkillsprogrammesEach season LFErunsaseriesof with 559 the last four seasons. taken place across have sessions that The total number of 160 2400 lifestyle education. media, sportspsychology and respectful relationships, social and diversity, sexual health and emotional well-being,equality Sessions covering diversity, Life SkillsEvent part inatleastone ofplayers totake The totalnumber

www.lfe.org.uk to useonthetraining pitchtomorrow.” thingsthat theplayerscantakeon loadsof withthem future butfortherightnowasplayers, we’veworked people. Days like theseare crucialnotjustforthe thepitchmakeand off themreally great employable than justfootballers. The thingsthey’re learning on I hopetheguyshavelearnt that there’s more tothem a newlanguage. anything from topassadrivingteststarting tolearn They don’thavetobefootballspecific, theycanbe set themselvesthree goalsoverthenext three months. and thennotfollowitup. Soweasked alltheplayersto good turningupforadayandthinking, ‘that wasok’ “We’ve actuallysetthemachallengeitisallwelland Former BritishOlympicGymnast Dame Kelly Holmes Trust Craig Heap game, MFT really came to the fore. employability skillsandraisingawareness of opportunitiesaway from the Designed to helpplayers realise their own potential by understanding their continued professional development. their own psychometric andpersonality profiles andhighlighted theneed for The workshops which kicked-off in February aimed tohelpplayers discover MY FUTURE TODAYreplaced LFE’s national careers event, hittheground running. Added intothemixthisyear, MyFuture Today, whicheffectively 1890 theymade tothemselves. post asareminder of the commitments receive expect to in the thosetargets Recorded onpostcards, players cannow Goals were identified by players. @LFEonline

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630 and overcome anyconcerns.” opportunities are outthere toprogress knowing what support networks and footballer. We ensure everyoneleaves day everybodywillbeaformer hammers homethereality that one The ex-professional’s presence of and aren’t limitedtobeingonlythat. that theyare more thanjustfootballers We needtohelp Apprentices realise how that canbevaluedinawidersense. and transferrable skillsthey haveand understanding what personalitytraits We homed-inonself-identity, pitch benefit. In turnthat the deliversanonandoff do tobecomebetter asanindividual. apprentices toexplore what theycanto and providing anopportunity for towards personaldevelopment “The eventshaveallbeengeared League Football Education Simon Williams personal development learned alittlemore about their Players took part,engaged and

LIFE SKILLS 13 14 LIFESKILLS

that were representative thegroups.” of and weaddressed truetolifescenarios our research, spoken tocurrent players MYconveying ourthoughts, we’vedone We’re people not just ateam of situation they’re in. inner thoughtsandrelating tothe themtryingtoportrayin front of their something onPowerPoint, we’re up justtalkingtothemorputting Instead of they couldapplythem. FUTUREthe skillsthat theyalready haveand how football andrecognise andthinkabout help playersidentifythemselvesoutside “Our presentation isabouttryingto AFTA Thought (Drama basedtraining) James Ledsham TODAY 80 learning interaction and Hours of listening,

38 the dayspossible some enthusiasticplayers made group AFTA alongside Thought Holmes Trust,PFA The and Theatre Staff from LFE, theDame Kelly future soit’s beenagoodopportunity todothat.” stuff.of Nobodyreally sitsdownandtalks aboutyour all thetimeandwedon’treally gettimeforthissort We train everyday, we’vegotgamessoweare active they express theiropinionandaskforours. havebeengoodbecauseit’sstaff averyinteractive, or me. It’s aneyeopenerandhelpsyouthink. All the different activitiesandtheyactasthoughare you were goodbecausetheyprovide thelinkbetween “It’s aboutlookingat thebiggerpicture. The actors Huddersfield Town Fraser Horsfall

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www.lfe.org.uk 45 localised workshops. with 2-3clubsattending engagement andintegration The nameof the game was Clubs attended the events.

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workshops hosted the the land across Venues LIFE SKILLS 15 KIERAN D’ARCY

BY STEVEN SUTCLIFFE

Kieran D’Arcy was released by Premier League “I used to think my two-year apprenticeship at bound Blackpool in the summer of 2010. Blackpool was demanding but when you come on to the (physiotherapy) course it opens your eyes up It was a rejection that no young footballer wants. further,” D’Arcy explained. Yet while the Seasiders fortunes have dwindled “Four years felt like forty at times. It’s study day in since then their former employee is moving onwards day out, writing essays and going on placements. and upwards. You see and help patients of all different ages and Instead of searching for a route back into football backgrounds though and it is rewarding.” D’Arcy elected to use his academic background to Now based at the Blackpool Victoria Hospital a move his career forward. He took advantage of the couple of miles down the road from Bloomfield Road, long standing relationship between The Professional D’Arcy has so far resisted any temptation to try and Footballers’ Association (PFA) and Salford University get back into football and admits that he enjoys the by enrolling on their BSc (hons) degree course challenges working in his current role in the NHS. in Physiotherapy.

“IT SHOWS THAT EVEN IF YOU COME OUT OF FOOTBALL YOU CAN ACHIEVE HIGH – A LOT OF THE LADS WHO ENTER THE COURSE FROM FOOTBALL GET VERY HIGH MARKS AND FIRST CLASS HONOURS DEGREES.

And last summer he graduated with the distinction “I’m currently employed as a permanent rotational of the highest mark on that programme across physiotherapist in the clinical area of cardiothoracic all students (full and part-time) at the University, surgery,” D’Arcy added. dispelling the myth that footballers cannot succeed in academia. “This involves me working daily on a Cardiac intensive care unit to treat post-surgical patients “I had an idea that I was going to get a decent mark who have had either cardiac (heart) or thoracic but to get the highest was a nice surprise on top of (lung) surgery. graduating,” D’Arcy said. “I work closely as part of a multidisciplinary team “It shows that even if you come out of football you with cardiothoracic surgeons, anaesthetists, critical can achieve high - a lot of the lads who enter the care nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists course from football get very high marks and first and at times, speech and language therapists, to class honours degrees. each provide our input to collaboratively treat “It was The PFA that helped me make my decision to individual patients. come to Salford University because of the significant “I’m often asked if I want to work back in football but funding that they provide and support they offer,” he I’ve enjoyed working with people from all different continued. ages and it’s opened my mind and options up.”

16 KIERAN D’ARCY 17 “THAT AFC WIMBLEDON COULD FIELD HALF A OUT OF THE DOZEN OF THEIR FORMER UNDER-11S IN THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEXT SEASON IS REMARKABLE ASHESBY GAVIN WILLACY PROOF OF THAT.”

LFE’s Gavin Willacy discovers Ten summers ago, Mark Robinson develop players,” Robinson told Touchline. “It wasn’t held their own in the FL Youth Alliance. This season, became coach of AFC Wimbledon about winning. We were usually third or fourth in the they have stepped up to reserve team football, the remarkable journey that Under-9s in the Surrey Youth League. league or even mid-table. Then it all kicked in when competing against League One and Championship half a dozen AFC Wimbledon we started playing 11-a-side at Under-11s. We had sides’ second teams in the Final Third Development The little Wombles paid to play 7-a-side football for 104 successive wins and won three trebles! I thought League and the Premier League Under-21 Cup. youngsters have taken to fun at a local playing fields on Saturday mornings, ‘Hang on, we’ve got some boys here’ but still I never “I’m very proud of what the boys have achieved but while the club’s first team were in the Ryman League dreamed any of them would be pros.” reach their apprenticeship Premier Division. looking back they were all quite even then. The only Playing in local Sunday leagues made it hard for stand-out player, Patrick Roberts, left for Fulham and beyond. It was just two years into their rebirth following Robinson to judge the standard of the talent in his and he’s in their first team already! The others were Wimbledon FC’s ground-shaking move to Milton team. However, when London’s top clubs started to not particularly special at an early age but they Keynes. The Under-9s’ manager was Mark’s mate, take a keen interest in his players, he realised they developed together as a group. Terry Wilson, whose son Callum was in the team. may be ready for a higher level. “Seeing what happened here has certainly helped A decade later, Robinson is coaching the same “It was hard to tell how good they were until we beat me keep an open mind about where good players players in AFC Wimbledon’s Under 18 team. Of the a league club’s academy 8-0. It got to the stage when are. We have to play against good Sunday league half a dozen who started out at primary school age, Academies didn’t want to play us and their scouts teams because I do believe there three have already turned professional with another wanted to poach our players. We had to put a lot of are players out there, and three offered contracts at the League Two club. effort into keeping them at Wimbledon. There was there are volunteer Midfielder Wilson and centre-back Ryan Sweeney a lot of soul-searching, wondering if we were doing coaches and parents were in that original Under-9s team and were joined the right thing by the boys. The first team were in the doing really good a year later by Ben Harrison (pictured left) and Dan Conference South and I was selling the Under-13s the jobs with them.” dream that they could be playing for the first team Gallagher (pictured right), then at Under-11s, by That AFC one day. We told them this was the best place to be playmaker Egli Kaja. Left-back Harrison has been Wimbledon could as they had a great opportunity here. It’s amazing that in the first team squad all season, Sweeney made field half a dozen of it’s actually happened.” his league debut over Easter, midfielder Gallagher their former Under- has been on the bench and all five have signed With AFC Wimbledon completing their incredible rise 11s in the Football professional contracts this year! Three others also through five levels of non-league football to take their League next season is made it all the way to become apprentices. place in the Football League again, the youth-team remarkable “We were just volunteers and parents, trying to were able to become full-time apprentices and have proof of that.

18 OUT OF THE ASHES www.lfe.org.uk @LFEonline /LFEonline OUT OF THE ASHES 19 BRITS ABROAD BY SIMON WILLIAMS

Eleven former Apprentices have signed up to Ange IF won all five of their pre-season fixtures and LFE’s Erasmus+ player placement programme in a head coach Benny Matsson is hopeful that their good WHO’S GONE WHERE? bid to kick-start their football dreams in Sweden. form will continue, “The team is very strong now,” Matsson said. Jordan Ball (Doncaster Rovers) Ange IF The players are being hosted by four clubs during a 13 week placement which aims to help them develop “Jordan and Scott joined us earlier and have been Scott Brown (Doncaster Rovers) Ange IF on and off the pitch. Over 30 players have signed very important players for us. Tarik and Oliver played professional terms with Swedish clubs since this well in their first game and will only get better once Oliver Martin (Fleetwood Town) Ange IF programme began in 2008 – effectively taking full they have settled in.” (Peterborough United) Ange IF advantage of what in pure football terms is akin to an Tarik Moore-Azille Former Wolves youngster Stringer-Moth has also extended trial. acclimatised well to life at newly promoted BK Sport. Moses Duckrell (Barnet) BK Sport Ange IF welcomed Oliver Martin, Doncaster “Everything’s great and I’m enjoying it out here,” the Nathan Hudson (Accrington Stanley) BK Sport duo Jordan Ball and Scott Brown and former former Wolves winger told Touchline from his base Peterborough defender Tarik Moore-Azille in March, (Wolverhampton Wanderers) BK Sport just outside Stockholm. Dylan Stringer-Moth while midfield trio Moses Duckrell, Nathan Hudson and Dylan Stringer-Moth jetted over to BK Sport. “My aim is to be kept on for the rest of the season. Harold Joseph (Stevenage) Gottne IF Defender Harold Joseph joined Gottne IF and North The setup is really convenient, the three of us live in Charlie Holt (Burnley) Ytterhogdals IK West based Charlie Holt and Alex Naylor headed to the clubhouse which has everything we need and the football outpost of Ytterhogdals alongside new then we train and play at the Tunavallen stadium Jimmy Hartley (Stevenage) Ytterhogdals IK team-mate Jimmy Hartley. which can hold 8,000 spectators.” Alex Naylor (Morecambe) Ytterhodgdals IK The Swedish season officially started in April and Further North, the snow is falling and ex-Stevenage runs until October though there will be a mid-season defender Harold Joseph has made a positive start break in June. At that point all the players will be at Gottne IF, “Harold played for the first time in a hoping to have received an offer to stay for the cup semi-final game against Härnösands FF, he has second half of the campaign at their current club been working hard in the gym and we have been or at a club in a higher division. impressed with him so far on and off the field,” said coach Jens Lindahl. With pre-season training done and dusted, the player’s weekly schedule is now built around training, Over in Ytterhogdal, former Plymouth Argyle and physical conditioning and matches. The lads have WBA starlet turned head coach Ben Smith has been also been brushing up on their linguistic skills. The as equally satisfied by his new recruits, “Alex has really norm is for all players to have weekly Swedish lessons impressed me, he’s composed on the ball and looks to help them integrate with the wider community. to get forward early. Jimmy is a bubbly character with plenty of banter which is backed up by his ability, That integration process is helped by delivering he has quick feet and has done really well down the coaching sessions to youth-teams and within their Dylan Stringer-Moth BK Sport Harold Joseph Gottne IF Alex Naylor, Jimmy Hartley & Charlie Holt Ytterhogdals IK right-hand side so far. Unfortunately for Charlie he local community. Embracing cultural difference and picked up an ankle injury but is now back up and understanding life outside of the UK is a key outcome running and is pushing for a starting place.” of the programme and allows players to decide if living and playing elsewhere in Europe is where their future lies.

“Tarik and Oliver played well in their first game and will only get better once

they have settled in.” Ytterhogdals IK Jimmy Hartley in action for Ytterhogdals IK

20 PLAYER PLACEMENT PROGRAMME www.lfe.org.uk @LFEonline /LFEonline PLAYER PLACEMENTS 21 What they’ve been tweeting... Bouncing WITH SO MANY CURRENT AND EX APPRENTICES ON TWITTER, WE’VE PICKED OUT SOME OF THE BEST TWEETS WE’VE SEEN RECENTLY:

Back BY SIMON WILLIAMS Derby County welcome local students in to Moor Farm to In the news. #MFT covered by Sky Sports News A two-year apprenticeship is not a long time. “I had a friend who was in touch with Tony Warner, help them hone their writing skills LFE @LFEOnline Hearing that you’re going to be released is painful the ex-Liverpool goalkeeper, he had just left Floriana Derby County Academy @dcfcacademy @SkySportsNewsHQ covering #MFT and sudden. Whichever way it is dressed-up the who play in the and they Pupils from @FrederickGent school working with @QPRFC today words can be stinging and quick. needed a replacement so I was put in touch with @dcfcacademy improving English grades. the club’s president before flying over for a trial and @LFEOnline education + football Proving you’re good enough to return to professional eventually signing.” football is another matter. It can be painstakingly slow, mentally tough and a difficult road to take. “It was a new culture again and one of the best times of my life. It took Dan Hanford five years. Sixty-four games and a cup win later, the offer of His journey had started and nearly ended at Rochdale. a trial at , Carlisle was the option that At 16, Hanford like numerous youngsters across the appealed the most. nation had left his family home in Swansea to follow Watford’s Official Twitter account celebrates the “I did well and after speaking to goalkeeping coach achievements of Dennon Lewis a dream. It just so happened that at the time it meant Tony Caig, I signed a short-term deal as cover for living in the shadow of Dale’s Spotland stadium. Former Southampton & Reading boss Nigel Adkins lauds Official #watfordfc @watfordfcsays Mark Gillespie, though Keith Curle has given me a LFE’s work with The Sporting Chance Clinic #watfordfc Academy scholar Dennon Lewis made chance to play. He earned international caps for Wales Under-17 Nigel Adkins @TheNigelAdkins the @LFEOnline 11 for achievements the season and Under-19 teams but a professional deal did not “He saw I was training hard and unfortunately Mark Good work by @LFEonline + Sporting Chance automatically follow and a spell on work experience got injured but that’s the chance a keeper has to wait Clinic on helping young players understand the at non-league Clitheroe helped him plot a new course. pitfalls of being a Professional footballer. for. I finally made my professional debut with a clean “It was hard being away from home and family at a sheet against Tranmere Rovers back in September.” LEF’s Gavin Willacy captures MFT on camera young age,” Hanford said. Curle recently handed the Gavin Willacy @gavinwillacy “It was a different environment and tough but I stopper an incentive @leytonorientfc striker @Victor_Ade_9 pitches his learned massively from non-league.” based extension until the The Derby squad show their is no ‘i’ in team posing with skill set at @LFEOnline My Future Today event with #GOTM winner James Carvell summer of 2016 so for @DameKellysTrust Men’s football gave the stopper the platform to now at least his journey is Derby County Academy @dcfcacademy impress and former England coach Glenn Hoddle happily over. Youth team @dcfcacademy @dcfcofficial with came calling with the offer of a place at his (now @jscfootballer in recognition of superb team goal defunct) academy in Spain. “It’s been a massive for @LFEOnline award learning curve and I “It was an unbelievable experience for me. It was wouldn’t change any of it,” academy football in a first-team environment, we Hanford added. played league football against men and it was a different type of football than we were used to.” “Some players never experience “I found moving away quite easy that time and what I’ve been especially with 26 of us all from a similar background through and it just Follow us: @LFEonline in the UK,” Hanford added. shows with grit and From there the Welshman joined a Hereford side determination you under the charge of former West Bromwich Albion can get there.” keeper Russell Hoult. He walked straight into Hoult’s SOCIAL MEDIA first XI. A short guide to the Do’s and Don’ts for young players “It was a great day for me when I made my debut, I Do’s Don’ts went on to play 10 games before they sat me out. I • Talk positively about your experiences at your • Use social media as a replacement to SMS. was still young and it was good for them to provide football club Using social media is not personal, what you me with a chance.” • Engage positively with fans, other players and say, do or show can be viewed by anyone community groups • Comment on matters of a sensitive nature Unfortunately the Bulls were heading towards • Raise awareness about any charitable/ regardless of if they are football related financial oblivion, “Nobody knew when or if we were community activities you or your club undertakes or not. Anything you say is published and going to get paid and that was hard for all of us,” • Use images in a positive fashion to express open to misreporting and misinterpretation Hanford said. yourself and your work • Be critical of anyone or use foul, abusive or • Consider blogging to boost your own and your discriminatory language clubs image • Comment on injuries or team selection, it • Think about what you are posting and how it may could land you in trouble with your club 22 DAN HANFORD be interpreted by others • Post comments when angry or frustrated • Minimum annual salary after 6 months’ service - £17,767 • Free sports facilities and gym membership • Opportunities to play your favourite sports (visit royalairforcefa.com for more details) • 6 weeks’ paid leave • Free medical and dental care • Opportunities for world wide travel raf.mod.uk/careers or ring 0845 605 5555 or 0333 202 7770