A football academy that offers talented Teesside and North Yorkshire players elite level coaching and facilities alongside a high-quality education is preparing for the biggest game in its short history.
T6 in Middlesbrough take on Croydon’s Coombe Wood School in the English Schools FA Under-18 Super League Knockout final at Stoke City’s stadium on Tuesday May 5.
The academy is no stranger to success, with its first and second years both having won their own leagues, but this cup sees them battle the cream of the country’s school soccer teams.
“Only the elite can enter and many of them are linked to professional clubs, so it’s a highly prestigious competition,”
said T6 director Dave McTiernan.
The showpiece was set up thanks to a stirring comeback victory over Hartpury College in Gloucestershire – the competition’s runners-up for the last two years – at T6’s Phoenix Park stadium.
“We knew it was going to be a tough fixture, then we went 1–0 down to a penalty right on half-time,” Dave said. “But we nicked one in about the 70th minute and scored another ten minutes later to seal the win. The whole school were out celebrating, about 600 people. It was absolutely brilliant.”
Part of Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust (NPCAT), T6 was formed five years ago at Trinity Catholic College’s Lacy Road site.
“We’ve won a couple of titles, including the Championship for our first years and Premier for our second years, both within our first two years, which is a remarkable achievement,”
said Dave, who is also assistant manager at Redcar Town, who have just secured back-to-back promotions, reaching the seventh tier of the football pyramid.
Phoenix Park is an important community facility, with around 2,000 kids playing there every week, including some playing in teams for children with special needs, and Boro Rangers are also based there.
Dave said:
“We’ve got pretty everything you’d find in a professional setting – a fitness studio, video analysis room, recovery ice baths, strength and conditioning suite and our own catering service where players get high protein meals and shakes.
“All the staff come from different backgrounds and are highly qualified in their fields. Andy Campbell played in the Premier League for Middlesbrough, T6 head coach James Bridge and I have both coached at high levels and we have physios, goalkeeping and specialist strength and conditioning coaches.
“Lots of our lads are doing really well, dipping their toes into non-league football, getting paid to play and having trials. Everything’s really positive.”
Success stories include Alfie Steele, who signed pro terms with Hartlepool United after being spotted at T6, and Jayden Jefferson, who joined Premier League Burnley just before Christmas.
“Most of our lads are going on to play at a good level, with some knocking on the door of professional football,”
said James.
“We get lots of scouts coming to watch our players, so it’s great to see that you know clubs value the level of the competition we’re in.
“Many of the lads are playing non-league and getting a good education at the same time, so the programme’s working.”
Dave added:
“We’re also strengthening our partnerships with American colleges, with six or seven going off to good scholarships this year.
“Our biggest strength is we don’t tie ourselves to one club. If you play for a local team and want to develop and have an education, we don’t say you can’t still play for that team. We work with players instead of trying to tie them into what we see fit for them.”
Players come from as Peterlee to the north and Ripon, Northallerton and Harrogate, to the south, but the majority are from Teesside.
“They’re incredibly dedicated and it’s our job to make them better footballers and better people,”
said James.
“We’ve got excellent relationships with local clubs because they know that for anyone with the talent and the hunger to continue their football journey, this is the right place to be.”
Plans are underway to ensure the lads have plenty of backing from the stands at Stoke, with Trinity pupils coming along to show their support.
“We’ll be staying over the night before, giving the lads the best preparation,”
said James.
“And if we have our full-strength squad out, we’ll give anyone a game.”
Applications are being accepted for next year’s intake and T6 regularly holds showcase events, trials and training sessions.To apply visit t6footballacademy.npcat.org.uk/apply.
