We are pleased to confirm that following promotion last season, the Club’s Academy has been granted Category Three status for the upcoming 2022/23 season.
Under the elite player performance plan, only clubs in the Football League can apply for a license to operate an academy, which are categorised from one to four.
After securing our place back in the Football League after eleven years last season, the Club’s application to be a Category Three academy, the most common model across Football League clubs, has now been approved.
The move signifies a significant step forward in the Club’s ambitious plans both on and off the pitch, as we look to continue the growth of the Football Club whilst building a sustainable model. Going forward, this now means that we are now able to register upwards of 200 players from age 8 to 18, across nine age group teams. Our registered players will train three evenings a week at Stockport Sports Village, and will play games against other category three academies at the weekend.
In doing this, a number of new jobs will be also be created within the Academy infrastructure specialising in youth development, across coaching, medicine and science, education and player welfare. For more information on these availabilities, follow the Stockport County Academy on their social media channels.
Director of Football Simon Wilson said:
“I have said it many times, but youth development is the lifeblood of all Football Clubs. The youth development system in this country is world-class, however It is limited to Football League Clubs and so when County were relegated 11 years ago, they lost their ability to operate a registered Academy – which has had significant impact to the Club and its community.
“Without access to an academy, we could no longer register and provide quality training to local players. These local players (several who are well-known) had to move to other clubs, preventing County from needed talent and potentially transfer revenue when it needed it the most. Talented coaches and practitioners lost the opportunity to work for County and our supporters were unable to feel the pride of their sons or grandsons pulling on the jersey.
“With a bit of poetic justice, Andy Cannon (one of the players who had to move to another club 11 years ago when the academy was shut down) played a huge part in Will Collar’s goal, that eventually sealed promotion from the National league last season. And with that, he brought back the opportunity for the County Academy to be reborn.
“It is with immense pride and excitement that we stand here today, as a Category Three Academy, led by an incredibly talented group of staff that are going to put us back on the map.
“This is something I hope all supporters can feel part of and I hope it won’t be long until they can sing again ‘he’s one of our own’.
