Issue 21 - September 2013 News from League Football Education Touchline Inside: Pre-season tour | Transfer timeline | Jack Waddle | HE in focus
Midlands clubs focus on Elite Player Plan
LFE was established by The Football League and The Professional Footballers Association WEB
PERSON
BLOG
WEB VIDEO
PERSON EMAILWEB
BLOG PERSONPHONE
@LFEonline TWITTERblog.lfe.org.uk BLOGHOME
WEB www.lfe.org.uk VIDEO FACEBOOK news /LFEonline TWITTER EMAIL PERSON VIDEO
BLOGPHONE EMAIL
HOME PHONE TWITTER Rochdale have opened up the new campaign In the South East league, newcomers
FACEBOOK with all guns blazing. With five wins from five Colchester United have won four from four LFE launches... AcademyVIDEO HOME matches including a 5-0 drubbing of Wigan, topping the table from Watford and Luton.
EMAIL Dale already lookFACEBOOK like the team to beat in the In the revamped Under-18 Premier League, North West Youth Alliance. which has now been split into two North and LeaguesPHONE £50 PRIZE In contrast to the high flyers from Spotland, South divisions, Wolverhampton Wanderers All winners will receive a HOME Wrexham last terms champions have taken hit Leicester for six on the opening day but certificate and £50 prize as just one point from their opening five fixtures. were then subject to the same fate two weeks well as being featured on the FACEBOOK later at Manchester United. Bradford City sit at the top of the tree in LFE website – so check back the North East division ahead of Doncaster Nevertheless, wins over Newcastle and to see if you or anyone you on goal difference with four straight wins West Ham leave Wolves in a healthy third know has made ‘The 11’. ? each, which sets things up very nicely for spot behind the Manchester clubs. their first meeting of the season at Cantley Millwall and Huddersfield lead the way in the Park this month. U18 Development Leagues but the game of the T h e 11 Bristol Rovers and Cheltenham have both season so far came on the south coast when ? ? earned seven points from their opening three Brighton and Ipswich played out a seven LFE has launched a fantastic new ? ? fixtures, however Torquay and Newport will be goal thriller, Charlie Harris’ exquisite long-range
Image by Paul Hazelwood looking for some quick fixes after a slow start. strike proving the difference for the Seagulls. competition, ‘The 11’ to replace the long running Apprentice of the Month award. ? ? ? LFE’s Goal of the Month competition returns for another season and promises Starting this September, LFE will celebrate to be even bigger and better than ever. the success of eleven players on four Goal occasions during the 2013–14 season, Last season’s winning goals resulted in a fierce in line with apprentice review periods. competition for the Goal of the Season accolade but Our team of Regional Officers will each Crystal Palace winger Sullay KaiKai’s (pictured) right nominate one player from their caseload ? ? footed finish against Liverpool in the U18 Premier of the League last August proved a popular choice. of clubs with their judgements based ? on the following criteria: The competition will operate throughout the season • Academic progress with clubs asked to submit their nominations to LFE in the usual fashion. • Football progress month • Other factors: Including participation in external initiatives e.g. community work www.lfe.org.uk/goal-of-the-month or overcoming adversity of some form. Watch Sullay KaiKai’s winning goal from www.youtube.com/LFETV August and any of last season’s goals at:
2 3 WEB
PERSON
BLOG
VIDEO
Got a story? Want to share news with other EMAIL news LFE partners? email: [email protected] PHONE Education Fantasy Mike Johnson AwardHOME Support Fund Spencer McCall picked up the Mike continually made his work relevant to his Johnson award for producing the journey as an aspiring footballer.” football best NVQ portfolio in the country “Spencer’s level of detail and qualityFACEBOOK of work last season. have contributed towards improving our standards of performance here at Stevenage The 18-year-old midfielder received a memento FC which sets an excellent example for returns and cheque for £250 from LFE as reward our existing scholars and really gives them for his efforts on his National Vocational something away from the football pitch to Qualification in Achieving Excellence in Sports aspire towards.” Performance Level 3 Diploma. Having played for Stevenage reserves and in LFE’s Fantasy Football is If you’ve not registered yet visit “I’m delighted for Spencer,” said tutor Stephen the successful FA Youth Cup run last season, back for another season fantasy.football-league.co.uk, The Education Support Fund will Payne, who also coached Spencer in the McCall was released by the club at the end of pick your team and join LFE’s operate once again during the 2013- Stevenage Under-18 team. “He always applied last term and has now signed for Wingate & himself professionally to the NVQ work and Used as a resource to help Apprentices complete private league by using code: 14 season but all clubs wishing to Finchley in the Ryman League. their Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Achieving Excellence in Sports Performance, players access it should be aware that levels of manage a budget of £20m and select their best financial support will be determined XI from the Football League Championship. 7409857 by external funding received by LFE. As in previous years cash prizes will be awarded The fund which was originally set-up in 2006 overcome adversity in some form during their for the top three placed Apprentices. A first Donald two-year Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence is designed to help clubs enhance and support place finish is worth £250 while those in second All requests to join the competition are (ASE) programme managed by LFE. verified by LFE. Please note that any the education of apprentice players. and third places can expect to collect £150 & inappropriate team names will be rejected. Bell was the first professional footballer to £100 respectively. Traditionally this has been used to fill any Bell award gaps in resources or equipment e.g. Desktop enlist in the Army during the First World War and went on to win a posthumous Victoria Computers, Laptops, Study Aids, IT, Sports Huddersfield Town’s Duane Holmes Science equipment etc, However, the Elite Cross for the bravery of his actions during Player Performance Plan has also brought the has been named as the inaugural an engagement in the Somme, France. Win up to £250! delivery of life skills into sharp focus. winner of the Donald Bell Award by The 18-year-old who holds dual American Further details around funding levels, criteria League Football Education (LFE). and British passports after spending his early childhood years in the USA, said: “It was a Cash prizes for the and the claims process will be communicated Holmes received his prize last month in a massive surprise to receive this honour. I feel to clubs by no later than October 2013 – presentation made at half-time during the incredibly proud to be named as the first ever though immediate queries should be directed Terriers 5-1 rout of Bournemouth in the winner of the Donald Bell Award. When you top 3 Apprentices to Alan Sykes via email: Sky Bet Championship. “I love being at Huddersfield Town. hear about what he and others did during I can’t think of a better job and I hope The award which commemorates the memory both wars it is very humbling. This makes all www.fantasy.football-league.co.ukWEB | League code: 7409857 [email protected] WEB to now earn the opportunity to play of Donald Simpson Bell VC was instituted my hard work and perseverance over the last in the first-team on a regular basis.” to recognise the efforts of a player who has few years feel worthwhile.” PERSON PERSON 4 55 BLOG BLOG
TWITTER TWITTER
VIDEO VIDEO
EMAIL EMAIL
PHONE PHONE
HOME HOME
FACEBOOK FACEBOOK STERFIELD Results might have been mixed but Chesterfield, CHE FC Pre-season Middlesbrough and Tranmere’s Under-18 players all benefitted from their LFE arranged pre-season trip to the Netherlands. Here are postcards some of the best moments captured on camera.
Middlesbrough ready Learning about Amsterdam Who said school ahead of a stroll round was out for themselves for a tough fixture v FC Twente
the city the summer?
O R
O B
... but definitely not the hokey cokey approach to warming-up! Junior Mondial grabs an equaliser as In, out shake it all about... Boro come from a goal down to beat Ajax on their own patch
While they enjoyed cycling the
Cameron Mason, Joe Massey Chesterfield lads would be the first and Mitch Mullins take to admit that Team Sky have S questions from the press little to fear from them
PIREITE Man overboard - Joe Bayne
S falls into the water much Eddie Dakwa at
to the horror or should The Spireites line-up the Amsterdam arena that be amusement ahead of their fixture Chesterfield v Vitesse of his team-mates with Vitesse
Tranmere v Vitesse Arnhem The Rovers youngsters pose for a squad
photo on a much needed rest day
S VER
O Academy physio Paul Rudkin has Liam
R Davies, Jake Phillips & Mitch Duggan fighting fit
Sam Ramsbottom has everything under control Shaun Garnett runs through set-pieces Conditions take a turn for the worse 6 7 Walsall Birmingham City
Aspiring sports journalist and former West Bromwich Albion apprentice Gez Mulholland takes a look at how the Elite Player Performance Plan is being implemented at three clubs on his local patch Elite Player Performance Plan Midlands focus Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers, While relegation may have put a dampener on “We take pride in our youth system and we are His Wolves counterpart Halsall agrees and can Birmingham City and Walsall may last season at Molineux, Halsall is acutely aware doing everything we can to be as close as see both sides of the coin having previously that by sitting at the top table at Academy level possible to Cat 2 standards which should mean worked at Walsall. be separated by less than 20 miles and mixing it with the likes of Liverpool, that we’re one of the best Category 3 clubs,” “People have got to be aware of the bigger but while the trio of Football League Manchester United and Manchester City it will said Neil Woods who heads up the Academy picture, this has been going on for years,“ clubs are in close geographical help them to continue to recruit and develop at the Banks’s stadium. talented youngsters. added Halsall. proximity each has started this With the likes of Ben George and Will Grigg “Some clubs have the resources and money campaign operating at a different “Being a Category 1 club allows us to play against graduating from the club’s youth system to to go and take boys from any club. We have and remain amongst the top sides, so it is very fully fledged first-team stars, Woods believes Academy level under the Elite to work hard to ensure our players enjoy the important to do well in the games programme. that Walsall, who are unable to match the working environment and realise that if they Player Performance Plan. We have to maintain our standards through financial clout of many of their West Midlands work hard they can progress through to our The EPPP for short, is the Premier League’s the EPPP for this to be sustainable. It also helps neighbours are capable of providing players first-team. We’ve seen West Brom and blueprint for youth development, which it is with our recruitment especially in the location with the best possible chance to become Birmingham City lose players recently so hoped will improve the quantity and quality of that we are in, with all the teams in the West a professional. Midlands being very competitive.” we are keeping an eye on the situation.” young English players moving from youth to “The philosophy at the club is every young first-team football. Down the M6, Championship club Birmingham That Birmingham City player was 15-year-old player believes they have a chance and that is City have gained Category 2 status after making Foday Nabay, who left to join Fulham and Speaking to Touchline the three clubs spell out the best motivation for any young lad. We major changes to its infrastructure to meet the Speakman admits he has concerns over how the system is affecting them: think we can use the new EPPP system to strict criteria involved. that situation: improve the service we offer our players.” “We’ve always had a good academy here but “We feel that both financially and in terms of “We’re keen to develop our own players and it has been difficult getting lads through whilst While recent headlines around the EPPP have the programme and content that this fits our we think that young footballers develop better being in the Premier League,” said Wolves’ focused on bigger clubs cherry picking the best model the best right now” said Academy boss by being in an environment they’re familiar professional lead coach Mick Halsall, who is players from smaller clubs for small compensation Kristjaan Speakman. with,” added Speakman. proud that Wanderers have gained the most payments, Woods is philosophical about “With the new manager coming in prestigious status at youth level despite their “We’ve had to really work hard to reach this the issue. “Hopefully in years to come we’ll be able to slip into the third tier of English football over standard. For example we’ve put a new 3G turn round as a club and say we’ve brought and with the club now in League One, “There’s always a fear for any club with the summer. pitch in at the training ground and we’ve had to lads through our system but I do think it will regards to losing young players to bigger clubs many people would suggest that the redevelop the changing block and indoor dome. become a regular occurrence for clubs to “With the new manager (Kenny Jackett) coming but we see it as a positive. If clubs are looking lose players.” boys will get more opportunity. If the in and with the club now in League 1, many Walsall who will face Wolves in League One at our players, it means we have good players people would suggest that the boys will get this season, sit two levels below at Academy and are doing something right,” added Woods. boys are good enough, they may get more opportunity. If the boys are good enough, level with the Saddlers soon to undergo their they may get an opportunity earlier.” audit to confirm Category 3 EPPP status. an opportunity earlier.”
8 9 Dan Burn
Fulham – Birmingham Loan Piero Mingoia Watford – Accrington Free John Rooney Callum Ball Transfer Barnsley – Bury Free Derby – Torquay Loan Adam Chicksen
MK Dons – Brighton Undisclosed Danny Mayor timeline Sheffield Wednesday – Bury Loan Dale Jennings Ben Reeves Kyle Brownhill Jordan Clark Southampton – MK Dons Free Released by the downwardly spiralling Two years after leaving Tranmere for Barnsley – Scunthorpe Loan June Stockport, Brownhill earned himself a one- Bayern, Jennings called time on his German Bobby Grant adventure to join Championship side Connor Ripley year deal at Turf Moor after impressing on Lewis Alessandra Rochdale – Blackpool Undisclosed Barnsley. Despite working under the Middlesbrough – Bradford City Loan trial during pre-season. 11 Morecambe – Plymouth Free tutelage of Mehmet Scholl and the great Chris Atkinson “Stockport seems to be a good breeding Ryan Williams Gerd Muller, the 20-year-old’s time in Huddersfield – Tranmere Loan ground for young talent,” said Clarets Dale Jennings Fulham – Oxford Loan Bavaria was frustrating. Beset by injuries Development Squad boss Simon Bayern Munich – Barnsley £250,000 Jamie Devitt and a failure to settle, Jennings failed to Kyle Brownhill Weatherstone. Hull – Chesterfield Free Tom Adeyemi make a first-team appearance for the Stockport – Burnley Free “Danny Whitehead went to West Ham Norwich – Birmingham Free European champions. Lee Hodson and now Kyle has signed on here. Jordan Sinnott Jed Steer “I was a bit gutted not to break into the Watford – MK Dons Free Hopefully he can progress into the first- first-team but I was only 18 when I went Huddersfield – Bury Loan team in years to come.” Norwich – Aston Villa Compensation TBA Ikechi Anya over and it took me six to eight months Adam Thompson Granada – Watford Undisclosed Sam Hoskins to get used to it,” he said. Watford – Southend Loan Southampton – Yeovil Free “The German leagues are of a better standard Aidan Chippendale Tom Naylor George Francomb than in England. It’s not just athleticism Accrington – Bury Free and organisation; it’s the skill level, general Derby County – Newport Loan Norwich – AFC Wimbledon Free Josh Windass attitude and dedication to the game – Joe Ralls Huddersfield – Accrington Free Kealan Dillon so I learned a lot from my time there.” Cardiff – Yeovil Loan Hull – St Mirren Free Steven Davies Adam Reach Sam Morsy Bristol City – Blackpool £500k (reported) Luke Murphy Middlesbrough – Shrewsbury Loan Port Vale – Chesterfield Undisclosed Michael Smith 12 months after Joseph Mills Jack Payne Charlton – AFC Wimbledon Loan watching his former Burnley – Oldham Loan Matt Phillips 30 Gillingham – Peterborough Undisclosed midfield sidekick Josh Ruffels “Matt’s got a big, big future ahead of him and best pal Ashley Coventry – Oxford Free Ronan Murray Ju ly Westwood make the Ipswich – Notts County Free in the game, so we’re delighted we’ve Krystian Pearce been able to get him here,” said Rangers move to Aston Jordan Holt
30 Notts County – Torquay Free boss Harry Redknapp, who announced the Luke Murphy Villa, Murphy followed him out of the Ikechi Anya St Mirren – Notts County Free capture of the £5 million pound man. 01 Gresty Road to become the latest on a Crewe – Leeds £1m (reported) The much travelled former League Two long line of Crewe players to move on to GUST Callum Bennett “He can take people on and make things AU Apprentice of the Year finally arrived Conor Wilkinson bigger things. Ipswich – Notts County Free happen. He’s quick, he gets at people, he Millwall – Bolton Compensation TBA last term making 29 appearances for “Luke going was another proud day for us,” Marvin Sordell can make goals and he can score goals. He Gianfranco Zola’s Watford while on loan Aaron Tumwa 01 gets people off their seats and that’s what Jamie Paterson said Alex boss Steve Davis. Bolton – Charlton Loan from Granada. While he endured the Watford – Blackburn Free you want to see as a supporter,” he added Walsall – Nottingham Forest Undisclosed heartbreak of a play-off final defeat at “We don’t kid ourselves and we never Tommy Spurr of the winger who started his career have done at Crewe, when the time is the hands of Crystal Palace, Anya’s own Matt Phillips Lewis McGugan Doncaster – Blackburn Free with Wycombe and was the League Two right for a player to move they go with our journey which started at Wycombe, 23 Blackpool – QPR Undisclosed Nottingham Forest – Watford Free Apprentice of the Year in 2009. blessing. Our young players know that, Ben Nugent went in to non-league and then Charles Dunne especially the ones that have come through Cardiff – Brentford Loan continued in Spain is truly remarkable. Shay McCartan Wycombe – Blackpool Undisclosed Burnley – Accrington Free the Academy.” 10 11 Ten times national champions at university Anglia Ruskin and college level, Hartpury provides an Staffordshire Loughborough idyllic setting for footballers to combine University University University their efforts on the pitch with those in the classroom. More than 20 Hartpury students While Anglia Ruskin’s most famous honorary With one of the most reputable Journalism With perhaps the best integrated sports development have gone on to secure professional deals graduates include Pop Queen, Kylie Minogue departments in the UK, Staffs continues to be a environment in the world including a newly built in the UK and abroad. and Jockey Frankie Dettori, the University popular choice for those taking a media related 3,500 capacity football stadium, it’s little wonder recently announced its plans to attract degree. Lecturers include working professionals that Loughborough continues to attract the likes of Hartpury College footballers via their new BSc (Hons) Coaching with World Cup and Olympic experience, while former MK Dons full-back George Willams (pictured), for Performance in Football degree. graduates have gone on to work for the likes of Oldham midfielder Will McCall and ex York man Developed in conjunction with a host of The BBC, Eurosport, ITV and Sky. Michael Emerson. clubs including Reading, the new programme has already been given a thumbs up by Royals boss Nigel Adkins: “The course is excellent news for players and coaches. Lifelong learning in professional football is fundamental to an individual’s progression, both on and off the pitch.” If you’re thinking about heading into said Adkins. Higher higher education after your apprenticeship, you’ll need to start planning soon. Each season around 60 players make this Education The OU offers courses and qualifications at a range transition and here are some of their of levels from introductory courses to degrees. favourite destinations... Having developed its own style of distance learning Support in making the move into Higher in focus called ‘supported open learning’, it allows students Education isn’t just restricted to LFE. to work whenever and wherever they choose around The PFA who offer educational their other commitments. grants to members, has longstanding relationships with a number of institutions/courses including: BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy The Open University University of Salford BSc (Hons) Sports Science & Coaching Roehampton University BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy York St. John University York St. John BSc (Hons) Sport, Coaching & Exercise Situated in the historic city Manchester Metropolitan Science MMU of York, YSJ already has University University (MMU) links with football through Northumbria University BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy its association with The With a brand new £10 million Exercise Brunel University Professional Footballers’ and Sport Science Centre, MMU offers BA (Hons) Sports Writing & Broadcasting Association and its funded a wide variety of sport-related courses Based in the vibrant city of Staffordshire University (2 year) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy designed to equip individuals with the Newcastle upon Tyne the lure skills, qualifications and experience that of a football scholarship to BA (Hons) Sports Management programme. are needed to work in the industry. play for Team Northumbria The University College of Northern Denmark is an enticing option for any Get our guide to Higher Education applications at current apprentice player. www.lfe.org.uk/downloads/apprentice-brochures 12 13 pressure to win they just want us to play
S Jack Waddle is hoping to re- launch his professional career by good football. It’s been great because we get it down and pass and I think that’s the best style following in his father’s footsteps. of play. I was brought up to play like that so AC T The 19-year-old son of the Tottenham and I fitted in immediately. England legend Chris Waddle, upped sticks Waddles acclimatisation to new surroundings and headed to Sweden in July after spending has also helped by living with team-mates last year as a professional at Chesterfield. and fellow Englishmen Ed O’Neill and Darren Waddle senior made the move to Olympique Jefferies. O’Neill formerly of Barnet and J AC K F de Marseille from Spurs over two decades ago Jefferies who was on Bristol Rovers books, Name Jack Waddle and subsequently admitted that his time in like Waddle are midfielders and their close off pitch bond appears to be helping them Twitter @JackWaddle93 France, ‘taught him a lot about the game that he would never have learnt in England’. to flourish on it. Position Attacking midfielder That three-year spell at the Velodrome saw “We can’t go up this season but all of us are Nickname Wadz Marseille reach a European Cup final and the eager to do as well as we can for the club and Team supported as a boy scintillating winger voted as the club’s second see what comes from that,” added Waddle Sheffield Wednesday best player of the Twentieth Century behind who admits that he would be open to offers Strengths First touch and passing Jean Pierre Papin. when he returns to England in October. Weaknesses Heading and strength Yet while that move abroad was made in “Football is the national sport back home vastly different circumstances Waddle junior and it is so high profile that it’s difficult to Football Hero My Dad & Thierry Henry is hoping that he can take heed of his Dad’s breakthrough. We all enjoy playing football in Best Player Cristiano Ronaldo advice by using his own stint overseas as a the right fashion and that is an enormous help. Best Advice ever received A setback launch pad back into professional football. Some players have their confidence knocked and performances suffer because you feel always leaves time for a comeback “He told me it’s a new culture, environment and inhibited in Scandinavia it’s not as pressurised Favourite music Arctic Monkeys and something different and that I should focus on so it’s an advantage to come over here and most indie making sure that I give it my best in the three learn from a different culture. Celebrity crush Julia Roberts and to four months I’m here - and not to come “It’s a slightly different training regime than Mila Kunis home with any regrets,” said Waddle. we’re used to. We train 3 times a week and Based just over an hour away from Stockholm Other Sports Golf and boxing play at the weekend but we’ve got free at BK Sports in the city of Eskiltuna, the Holiday destination Marbella gym memberships so we’ve set-up our own youngster has noticed a different football schedule for that. Chris the Dad Where will you be in 5 years? philosophy to the one he is used to. Hopefully playing professional football “Also because we’ve been away from home “Out here the coaches just try to give you for so long we’re used to that and I think that confidence and ask you to do your best,” Jack the lad helps massively because football is such a continued Waddle. transient career and you can literally end up “We’re told to go out and enjoy playing the all over the place. It’s certainly helped me to sort of football we want to play. There’s no mature and be more independent.”
Since Plymouth’s Toby Davis became the Year Professional deals first LFE export to sign professional terms 2008 1 in Sweden in 2008, 93 players have tried their luck on foreign soil with 26 gaining 2009 1 full-time deals. 2010 6 With 17 others like Waddle mid-way 2011 4 through placements that figure is set to climb to over 30 per cent and reach a high 2012 7 this year, here’s how it breaks down... 2013 7 and counting Jack Waddle images by Tina Jenner Waddle14 15 FACTFILE Name: Laurie Bell “I think my blog is a chance Twitter: to set the record straight @LBellBell and let players know as Club: far as I can, what they’re Rochdale University: in store for if they’re also Laurie University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee considering making this Position: life changing decision.” Central Midfield Nickname: From UK to USA LBell Team supported as a boy: With more and more players keen to follow Laurie’s lead, LFE sealed a Manchester City Bell deal with the PASS4Soccer agency Every summer hundreds of LB: It was a massive step. I played in LFE’s Strengths: LB: Very much so but I can remember when over the summer which allows end of season trials, took advice from their Passing and scoring goals I first arrived in the States. I was immediately apprentices the chance to access young players have their football struck by seeing baseball field after baseball staff, spoke to numerous head coaches and six Weaknesses: their services at a discounted rate. ambitions dashed at the end field. Forget football pitches. It was all so very weeks later I leapt into the unknown. I’d love Dribbling Regardless of whether players choose of their apprenticeship but as to say it was always my plan but it wasn’t. It different. I was questioning myself and my to or not, Director Dan Gray believes Football hero: LFE’s new blogger Laurie Bell happened very quickly but at the same time decision to come? Would I be able to settle? America is a land of opportunity for Was I too far from my family? What’s the insists, ‘the dream doesn’t have America was the subject of many youth-team Steven Gerrard English players: dressing room conversations. When you’re Best player: football going to be like? These days those to stop there’. scrubbing the boots of professionals you envy doubts have been vanquished – coming over “Our job is to complement what LFE is Andrea Pirlo to America is just an amazing opportunity. already doing so that players are more Bell, once of Rochdale, is one of over 100 and want to emulate it can be disheartening, Best advice ever received: The set-up at most universities is a match prepared and start to think of America as former apprentices now residing across the so life across the pond playing football at for professional clubs back home, there’s a viable option much earlier,” said Gray. Atlantic while completing a soccer scholarship. a University with thousands of sun-kissed ‘May all your dreams be big’ – thanks Dad thousands of fans at each game, a free He caught up with LFE’s Steve Sutcliffe to talk students sounds appealing. Sadly though, Favourite music artist: “It’s understandable for some players education via a scholarship and potentially a about his up and coming blog and life in I think for many it doesn’t feel like a plausible to have reservations but the facilities Jamie T chance to be drafted for the MLS as you finish the USA. option but it is – I’m doing it. are top drawer over there and the way Celebrity crush: your studies. you’re looked after is quite special. It’s SS: Why have you decided to blog for LFE? SS: So what can we expect to read about? Jessica Alba SS: You mentioned studying, is it true that totally different to university sport in LB: Well first things first. The topic I’ll be LB: Virtually every English player that I speak Other sports: Universities insist you’re as successful in the UK – it’s comparable to being a writing about, making the move to America is to over here that’s on a scholarship says the Surfing & other the classroom as the pitch? professional while gaining an education. one I’m really passionate about. Just over two same thing: “I didn’t know what to expect Where will you be in 5 years: LB: Yes that’s key really. You’re considered “The lads leaving the apprenticeship years ago the sky fell in on my football world when I came out here.” I think my blog is Hopefully playing football on a remote island a student athlete while you’re here and it are uniquely placed because American when I was hauled into the manager’s office a chance to set the record straight and let does require considerable time and effort Colleges and Universities regard them at Spotland to be told I was being released. players know as far as I can, what they’re but earning a degree is very achievable as the best quality of players they can Now I’m studying Journalism and English at the in store for if they’re also considering making and help is at hand for any students having bring in and they’re keen to recruit University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and I think this life changing decision. difficulty. By the time I graduate, I’ll have good those that bring a professional mentality my blog is a great chance for me to tell the SS: It sounds as though you’re enjoying it, qualifications, four competitive soccer seasons and attitude into their institutions.” story of how that happened. even if you’ve had to adapt to a new way and a rewarding life experience behind me. To see the full Dan Gray interview SS: How big of a step was it for you to of life and a lot more academic work than It’s my own version of an American Dream. visit our YouTube channel LFETV. take up the soccer scholarship and was you were perhaps used to before? You can catch up with Laurie on a regular basis it something you had identified as a E. [email protected] by visiting www.lfe.org.uk/blog back-up plan before leaving Rochdale? T. 07763 749028
16 17 Huddersfield Town make the most of LFE... LFE initiatives What they’ve Each season LFE offers clubs the chance been tweeting to engage with a variety of initiatives to By kicking off the new enrich the apprenticeship programme. With so many current and ex apprentices on Twitter – we’ve picked This season they are: out some of the best tweets we’ve seen in recent times:
campaign with Social Media, Tom Lapslie decides the old school look Barclays financial management Burnley’s Callum Richardson eyes a new way to is best for the new season... travel via team-mate Nathan Lowe... Sexual Health and Sporting Tom Lapslie @TomLapslie Callum Richardson @Callumm_95 New boots have arrived! Gone for the Chance workshops. “@NathanLowe96x: Passed my driving retro look #NikeGang #OldSkool test!” Yes brother! #shotgun IF U CARE SHARE Ryan Colclough celebrates three points and 2 goals as Crewe get off the mark... Would you like to be tagged in? Continue Cancel ryan colclough @ry_coco Thanks for all the messages buzzing for our first three points and my first goals While their players were still catching their the ability to communicate is an essential life “It’s a great enrichment to the apprenticeship KICK IT OUT of the season #CAFC breath during a pre-season training camp in skill and we aim to give them an all-round programme,” said Raven. Leicestershire – the positive and negative education,” said Crosland. LFE Regional Officer Paul Bartlett praises the “It’s run so that it’s fun and engaging and #trfc U18s... aspects of social media were spelt out to them “Cathy gave us a really good insight to how it provides some very clear messages to via Cathy Wood’s seminar. journalists use social media to learn about the players.” Joe Newton @JoeNewton_7 “@vonbartlett: My last day with the In an eye-opening session, Wood, who is also individuals, as well as examples of how players SEXUAL HEALTH – ‘PLAYING SAFELY’ With two of the three S’s covered by the end WEB Tranmere boys - what a credit to their a former Great Britain Triathlete, presented the can change their online behaviour to showcase of August it was the Sporting Chance Clinic’s families, club and themselves - thanks teenage Terriers players with a chance to the positive activities which they are involved in.” turn to visit Town as September began. lads x” cheers Paul review their existing output across platforms With players barely finding the time to type While an ex footballer usually provides a like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. 140 characters for a tweet, sexual health was Middlesbrough’s Callum Johnson voices his conspiracy personal story during the session, perhaps PERSON theory on Man Utd’s transfer deadline day... Birmingham keeper Callum Preston takes The youngsters were also asked to consider the next topic on the agenda, as the NHS’ fittingly in Yorkshire, Bobby Goulding, a name SOCIAL MEDIA TRAINING – CATHY WOOD in England v Scotland... whether they felt the content truly represented Playing Safely initiative rolled into Huddersfield’s Callum Johnson @callumjohnson96 that resonates with Rugby League spoke Callum Preston @CallumPreston95 3 mystery lawyers made the Herrera them and whether it made them a risk or role Canalside Sports training complex. candidly from the heart. BLOG deal fall through who claimed they were What an atmosphere at the England model to their clubs and themselves. game! Supported by the Calderdale & Huddersfield “I just wanted to come across as an honest representing United, Jose Mourinho written all over it #clever “It came as a bit of a shock to realise just what Chlamydia Screening Programme (CHLASP), the bloke who the lads could trust,” said the possible effects your actions and those of online Academy players found themselves involved in former Great Britain scrum half. SPORTING CHANCE CLINIC an interactive session delivered by Colin Avery Sam Magri encourages team-mate Jack Whatmough ‘friends’ can have on others, particularly TWITTER team mates,” said second-year apprentice and Andy Williams which raised awareness of “It’s difficult but we must help these young men.” to shed his curly locks! Joe Wilkinson. sexual health issues and the importance of The former Challenge cup winner’s efforts Jack Whatmough respectful relationships and safer sex. @JackWhatmough30 “The information about ‘tagging’ was new were appreciated by Academy Manager “@SamMagri: @JackWhatmough30 to most of us and something we all need Former West Bromwich Albion defender Paul Mark Lillis who added: VIDEO TRAINED BRAIN happy birthday mate. Now you’re 17 get to consider carefully in the future.” Raven, now of The Professional Footballers “Bobby showed a lot of courage and bravery a trim!” ;D Cheers geez Association sat in on the session, which he The session, which also spelled out the dangers and his talk made a fantastic impact on the believes has plenty of merits: EMAIL of paying scant attention to security settings players and all the staff.” Danny Higginbotham with words of encouragement for Sheff Utd starlet Jamie McDonagh... on social media sites and how this can affect
footballers, was welcomed by the club’s Head Joe Wilkinson It came as a bit of a shock to realise just what Danny Higginbotham of Education and Welfare, Karen Crosland: BSM – Driver Awareness PHONE @Higginbotham05 possible effects your actions and those of online ‘friends’ can Just like to wish @jamiemcdonagh64 all “Regardless of whether or not our apprentices have on others, particularly team mates. the best in his recovery from injury. Great go onto enjoy careers as professional footballers, prospect who will come back stronger. HOME 18 19
FACEBOOK From the latest news and results and facebook, on twitter goal clips on facebook Keep up to date with all the from action League Football Education. LFE YouTube to all the information you at need www.lfe.org.uk. online LFE team online team LFE Check out the LFE online www.lfe.org.uk LFE Online TV w w w facebook www.lfe.org.uk www.lfe.org.uk
© 2013 League Football Education www.lfe.org.uk Designed by ICG www.icgonline.co.uk