Premier League Learning News
Derby youngsters adapting well
Two of Derby County’s youngsters have been singled out for praise – not only for their football and scholastic achievements, but for adapting to life in England as well. Robert Ujcik and Mario Loesch (pictured) are among the club’s seco...
United’s Febian is fab for Swansea
One of Manchester United’s young hopefuls is in line to play his part in one of the season’s success stories. Striker Febian Brandy (pictured) has expanded his experience by moving for a loan spell with League 1 title favourites Swansea City ...
Pro contract for prospect Nathan
A young first-year scholar at Aston Villa who has already been earmarked as an emerging talent, has signed his first professional deal and been handed a first-team squad number on his 17th birthday. Nathan Delfouneso – with England honours already ...
Youngsters making name for themselves
Three young scholars at Birmingham City have been creating good impressions while away on international duty. Jordon Mutch was part of the England Under 17 squad which returned home victorious from the prestigious Algarve tournament. Despite head coach,...
Young Blues already catching the eye
Birmingham City’s promising young players are already earning themselves impressive reputations within the game. Right up there with the best of them is goalkeeper Dean Lyness, who has already earned recognition with England at Under 16 and Under 1...
Sunderland scholars ‘phenomenal’
Youngsters at Sunderland Football Club are receiving praise from many quarters for their ability on the field and their work off it. Brian Buddle, the club’s Head of Education and Welfare, says that the boys deserve the highest praise for t...
Role models at Reading
Befitting a club whose manager, Steve Coppell, has a degree in Economic History, Reading FC have established a reputation for excellence in the field of education. They are one of the few clubs who do all of their education in-house. ...
Scholars top of class at Derby
At a time when results on the pitch haven’t been kind to Derby County, there are lots of positives to be taken from the work being undertaken by their scholars. Head of Education and Welfare, Bill Morley, says that he has been heartened by the impr...
Inspection 2007 on the way
All clubs will hopefully have received provisional schedules by now for the Ofsted inspections which begin on Monday 12 November. Kate Coleman, Education, Scholarship and Children’s Services Manager, reminds clubs that as the Premier League receive...
Now is the time to plan for future
It’s never too soon to plan for a career outside professional football. That’s the message from Pat Lally, the PFA’s Senior Executive Head of Education, writing in ‘New Goals’, the PFA Education department’s magazine. ...
A greater understanding of diversity
All Premier League clubs are working to meet the first level of the Racial Equality Standard for Professional Clubs – developed by Kick It Out with the support of the Premier League – which is helping scholars gain an increased understanding o...
Russell building self-belief
Coaches at Wigan Athletic feel that the club will be in safe hands when the time comes for 18-year-old goalkeeper Russell Saunders to be given a chance in the first team. Academically he’s impressing as well and has earned praise for his applicatio...
A brush with charity for Blackburn lads
Blackburn Rovers’ Academy apprentices hung up their football boots and picked up paintbrushes as part of a decorating challenge to help Darwen-based charity Nightsafe. The 14 young hopefuls competed in a seven-a-side contest to decorate two flats a...
City tap into population trends
Changing population trends within the Manchester area have brought about a new initiative from Manchester City’s academy recruitment team. City were delighted when they signed up young Somalian player, Abdisalam Ibrahim, who penned a three-year dea...
Wigan looking for Moore from Peter
Versatile defender and midfielder, Peter Moore, has shown determination both on and off the field which has already earmarked him as a potential first-teamer at Wigan Athletic. Having tasted life at an early age at Everton he was determined to take advan...
Nathan is a striking success
Many sound judges at Villa Park are already a 16-year-old striker at the club as one to watch in the future. Nathan Delfouneso is considered a huge talent and has already become a regular for both the club’s reserves and academy teams as well as ma...
Education scores for Netan
Birmingham City FC is forging a pioneering Football Development Programme in partnership with City College, Birmingham. In acknowledging that there are a lot of talented players going unseen in such a large area as the West Midlands and that the club&rsq...
Goalie Floyd hits the mark
One of the select band of goalkeepers to actually score a goal is determined to carve out a career as a fitness instructor. Floyd Croll, who started as a youngster at Ipswich Town, moved on to Wigan Athletic where his education came on in leaps and bound...
High standards for Seb
One former Academy scholar at Middlesbrough FC who seems to have caught the eye of many people in the game is defender Seb Hines. Born in Leeds and raised in nearby Wetherby, Seb’s career began in a whirl when he played for England Under 16s, earne...
Making a decision for the future
Newcastle United’s Head of Education and Welfare, Jimmy Nelson, pulls no punches when it comes to spelling out to youngsters the need to plan for another career – and therefore take advantage of the opportunities offered by Premier League Lear...
High hopes for Derby trio
Derby County’s youngsters are excelling on and off the field at Pride Park – with three Academy graduates being given the chance to sign professional contracts. Bright futures are being predicted for Miles Addison, Jason Beardsley and Mitchel...
Tai Chi aids Fulham youngsters
First year scholars at Fulham FC have been learning about rest and relaxation techniques which have been practised by millions of people across China for centuries. As part of their NVQ, the youngsters went along to a local Tai Chi centre to discover mor...
Scholars gain insight into world of refereeing
Premier League scholars are given an insight into the world of refereeing through an intensive practical course of instruction that, upon successful completion, could lead to the award of the basic referee qualification. Candidates who attend for the min...
Strength in depth at Old Trafford
Manchester United’s success last season ran right through the club at just about every level. Their youth team was certainly not overshadowed by the first team’s achievements, when four boys in particular caught the eye – despite the te...
Updated version of Drug Control Programme
Scholars at all Premier League clubs have been guided through an updated version of The FA’s Drugs and Doping Control Education Programme. The FA has been working for the best part of two years on producing an updated version of the programme which...
Youngsters become tv stars
Six young scholars from Tottenham Hotspur have broadened their education in a unique way – and become television stars into the bargain! Players from Spurs’ Academy and reserve squads joined in the launch of the club’s new kit when they...
Battling Lewis aiming to shine at Wigan
Lewis Montrose’s story highlights a great example of finding the strength to battle back from a serious injury. Having been previously associated with Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers, Lewis was given another chance by Wigan and was selected fo...
Jonny leads United’s next generation
The next batch of young talent is already rolling off the Manchester United conveyor belt – having excelled off the pitch as well as on it. Heading the list is Northern Ireland international defender Jonathan ‘Jonny’ Evans, who ...
It’s all adding up for Nedum
It’s all starting to add up to a highly successful career in football for one of Manchester City’s academy scholars and playing prospects.. Versatile Nedum Onuoha achieved three A grade A levels in Business Studies, Information Technology and...
Only the best for Everton’s scholars
Scholars at Everton’s Academy are guaranteed nothing but the very best as a result of the club’s new state-of-the-art training complex at Finch Farm in Halewood, close to Liverpool airport. The Academy has established new and improved structu...
Students cook up a treat
A group of third-year scholars from Blackburn Rovers’ Football Academy are becoming used to serving up the goods both on and off the field. The seven youngsters have been undertaking a bespoke 10-week course at Lancaster and Morecambe Colle...