The Academy enjoyed a successful November, as they look to build on a bright start to the season. The Scholars progressed through two rounds of the FA Youth Cup, setting up an away tie at Everton, while also undertaking multiple personal development workshops.
In the Junior Academy, the Day Release programme is in full-swing, allowing the U14-16 players more time in the gym, on the pitch and in the classroom. Our U15 squad made it two wins from two in the EFL Floodlit Cup, while making full use of the facilities at Carrington. The U9 & 10 players learned more about the history of the club, while our full U18-16 squads enjoyed an analysis workshop at Edgeley Park.
Junior Academy Day Release Programme
This season, the Academy launched the Day Release programme for our U16 players, with our U14-15 players experiencing a similar-style programme. This allows our players to undertake extra training, gym time and education, all at Stockport Sports Village. The programme is head up by Lead Youth Development U13-14 Cell Coach Joe Duckett and U15-16 Cell Coach James Vincent.
Joe Duckett gave an insight into the programme below:
On the Pitch
Farsley Celtic (H)
Our Academy Scholars began their Youth Cup campaign with a 3-0 victory over Farsley Celtic at Edgeley Park, as Joe Hillary and James Barry scored early goals, before Ashton Mee finished off the tie late in the game. Read more about the action here, or watch the highlights below.
Leighton Town (A)
County set up an away tie at Everton in the FA Youth Cup, as Che Gardner scored late in extra-time to secure a 1-0 victory over Leighton Town. Watch how the events unfolded below, or catch up on the action here.
Player Progression
Ashton Mee
Midfielder Ashton Mee continued his stellar start to the season with another start in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, with County unfortunately falling to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Bolton Wanderers. Mee was also included in the matchday squad for County’s 0-0 draw with Salford at Edgeley Park, where the young Hatter was an unused substitute,
Hudson Haddow, Jayden Nkodia & Alfie Jones
U15 players Hudson Haddow, Jayden Nkodia & Alfie Jones all helped out in the warm-up before our FA Youth Cup first-round victory over Farsley Celtic at Edgeley Park this month.
Raphael Pijus Otegbayo
U16 player Raphael Pijus Otegbayo featured in the second round FA Youth Cup victory away to Leighton, where the young winger was crucial in setting up the winning goal, driving down the wing and pulling the ball across for Che Gardner.
Personal Development
Jason Lee EDI Workshop
Former professional footballer Jason Lee visited Stockport Sports Village earlier in the month to deliver a workshop centred around Equality, Diversity and Inclusion within sport, and what our Academy Scholars can do to promote the initiative.
White Ribbon Workshop
White Ribbon set out to end all male violence against women, and they came into Stockport Sports Village this month to speak to our Academy Scholars, to promote the campaign.
Toxic Influencer Workshop
Our Academy Scholars were visited by the PFA this month, as they delivered a workshop covering the dangers of social media, and how important cautious use is as an Academy player.
Peter Mitchell Workshop
Former Professional Footballer Peter Mitchell visited our Academy Scholars this month to share his story, which included the hard work required to make it to the top, the accident which led to his early retirement from the game, and explained that there are numerous career paths to take outside of Football.
Media Training
Our Academy Scholars undertook Media Training this month. This involved travelling to Carrington to undergo a Club-branded interview, where they discussed life at County and the upcoming FA Youth Cup games, while also taking part in a mock press conference at Stockport Sports Village.
Junior Academy
U15 Floodlit Cup
Our U15s started their Floodlit Cup campaign this month and boast a 100% record so far. The young hatters came from behind to beat Bradford City 3-1 in their first game, before playing in front of a crowd at Stockport Sports Village, besting Rochdale 4-0 in a dominant second-half display.
U9 & 10 Hat Works Visit
Our U9 & 10 players were invited to take part in a tour of the Hat Museum in Stockport this month, to learn more about the history of the club. The players were then walked up to Edgeley Park, where they were given a free meal in the Hardcastle Suite, before cheering County on to a 2-0 victory over Colchester.
U13 & 14 Gaming Workshop
Our U13 & 14 players were visited by Jack Hill from Ygam this month, as he delivered a workshop on gaming, including the benefits and downsides of the hobby when developing as a footballer.
U8-16 Analysis Workshop
As part of the Academy’s FA Youth Cup tie with Farsley Celtic at Edgeley Park, our remaining age groups, from U8-16, were required to attend an analysis workshop. The young Hatters were able to comment on their past games and how each player could improve in the provided situations.
U15 Carrington Team Bonding
In preparation for our U15s Floodlit Cup game against Rochdale, Lead Coach Jordan Keane and Youth Development U15-16 Cell Coach James Vincent took the squad to Carrington, where they made full use of the analysis facilities at the training ground, before enjoying some team-bonding activities in the Players’ Lounge.
