We take a holistic approach to the development of young people here at Stockport County Football Club. In addition, from the 2022/23 season, this programme has been renamed as the Football Education.
We offer both males and females the opportunity to hone their football skills, while studying towards a Level 3 BTEC in Sport. Our new Girls Player Pathway, an extension on our existing Player Pathway, will allow girls aged 16-18 the opportunity to play in competitive leagues and train in our state-of-the-art facilities.
Throughout the course, we will teach and enhance a variety of life skills that can be taken across any potential future path a person decides to take. The player is at the centre of our model for success. The games programme, facilities, and coaching are a few of the key aspects we focus on to enable each player to reach their potential.
Players benefit from:
- 4 x 2-hour training sessions a week with UEFA licensed coaches and ex-professionals
- Futsal fixtures
- Up to a total of 16 hours of football per week including training and fixtures
- 12-15 hours of lesson time
- Access to expert tutors
- Excellent player welfare support
- Player reviews to develop your performance
- Access to VEO for video analysis
- Social media coverage
- Competitive league and cup fixtures
- Technical and tactical sessions
- Gym training and program
- Pre, mid, and post-season fitness testing
- Specialist goalkeeper training
- Access to our full-time physiotherapist
- Monthly session with the first team staff
- Sports massage sessions and much, much more…
Entry Requirements
- 5x GCSE’s at Grade 4 or above
- One GCSE must contain English or Maths
The games programme
We have created an excellent games programme. This includes a variety of competitive fixtures that give our young players the opportunity to face different problems and achieve several learning outcomes. The players will compete against various clubs across the region who showcase numerous different play styles, whether that be possession-based or direct. This variety provides much-needed realism for our young players that is not always possible in the typical u23 academy fixture.
Playing Philosophy
In possession we encourage all players to enjoy and embrace the ball. We want individuals to feel comfortable with the ball at their feet and be competent under pressure, in turn allowing all our teams to be able to play quick possession-based football at a high level. We do this by creating passing/receiving opportunities, by understanding clever movements and rotations that enable the team to break lines and play through the thirds of the pitch.
Out of possession we aim to win the ball back at the earliest opportunity, pressing when possible and making play predictable. If the press isn’t on, we retreat to get organised, compact, and ready to re-press in the middle third.
In transition we expect individuals to delay, deny and deflect (3D’s) play to give teammates the opportunity to recover. Upon regaining possession, we aim to make the pitch big, break lines, attack with precision and pace (3R’s – release early, run it, retain to build)
Identity & Values
An environment where everyone is valued. We make it our responsibility to develop our young players by using the power of football.
The success of our football education teams is underpinned by a unique way of playing, learning, and thinking.
Developing players in “THE COUNTY WAY”
Committed
Outrun opponents
Understand your role
Never give up
Team player
Yes attitude
To carry out these values to the best of their ability players will need support from all key stakeholders such as parents, family/friends, fellow teammates, and staff. Key stakeholders will be required to work together to ensure this happens. Ultimately, we all want to do our best by the individual player so he can fulfill his potential.
A huge part of the Football Education aims is teaching young players to take ownership of their own development to create lifelong habits. Every Football Education member is provided with a gym programme, allowing time to take part in additional individual training drills, and analyse video clips of their own performance via access to the cutting-edge technology the club employs through VEO. They are tasked with identifying their own personal goals, while the coach supplements these with team goals.
Kit
We are very excited to have partnered with Puma again, who will provide all our Football Education players with top quality training and match kits. This deal enables us to offer more training garments than in previous seasons. The players will receive the following bundle:
- 2 x liga training jersey
- 2 x liga ¼ zip sweat
- 1 x liga rain jacket
- 2 x liga short core
- 1 x liga training pant
- 2 x liga socks
- 1 x liga polo
- 1 x liga training pant
- 1 x backpack
- 1 x liga casuals padded jacket.
The players keep their training kit. Some players may qualify for financial support, information on this can be found in the player handbook. Training kit will remain the same as the 22/23 season, so when the players become second year players they won’t have to repurchase training kit.
