The MC ELITE Men’s Football Academy revolutionises football training; every session is designed to sculpt you into an unstoppable force on the pitch; every kick, sprint and skil is fiercely drilled to build you into the best player you can be.
The Men’s Football Academy is managed by Premier Player, a team of expert and ex-professional UEFA-qualified coaches, providing you with a unique insight into the game and an elite approach to training.
You will train like a professional for up to 9 hours per week, with various opportunities to gain extra qualifications designed to help build your future in football. These include Talent ID, Scouting, Opposition Analysis and Refereeing qualifications.
The Men’s Football Academy boasts a fierce curriculum and top fitness and SAQ sessions. Training is structured around the FA’s 4 corner model, with a proven track record of helping many young players join professional clubs, such as Middlesbrough, Leeds, Sunderland and Newcastle.
Join the Squad
Are you an elite example of your sport, ready to take your game to the next level? Have you played at professional academy level, district or county level, in Teesside Junior Alliance leagues, or have other proven experience of playing elite level football? We want to hear from you.
The Academy boasts a fierce curriculum and top fitness and SAQ sessions. Training is structured around the FA 4 corner model, with a proven track record of helping many young players join professional clubs, such as Middlesbrough, Leeds, Sunderland, and Newcastle!
In order to play like a professional, you have to train like a professional. That’s why we’ve invested in outstanding facilities, including a:
- 3 full-size all-weather pitches
- State-of-the-art Fitness Suite
- On-site Physio Clinic
- Large Indoor Sports Hall
- Professional VEO camera, which allows every player to analyse their performance
- Indoor Analysis Theatre, where you can watch opposition matches and identify training needs for future sessions
- Catapult Vests. Used by elite teams, these capture your individual data so you can track and compare your metrics against some of the top players in the world!
We are delighted to be an Association of Colleges Accredited College, awarded three stars across all four pillars, including:
- Supporting talent
- Providing an inclusive environment
- Developing a student workforce
- Engaging with the community
Elite Partnerships
Our MC ELITE Men’s Football Academy is built on strong partnerships that provide real competitive exposure.
Pro16
The Men’s Football Academy is delivered by Premier Player Pro16 coaches, who lead all coaching and performance delivery. Their team of expert and ex-professional UEFA-qualified coaches bring elite experience, industry insight and a high-performance approach to every session.
Middlesbrough FC
We are proud to partner with Middlesbrough FC, providing our First team with access to an elite performance environment, including opportunities to train at MFC’s training ground and experience the standards expected within a professional club structure.
Strong Regional Clubs
Our Second and Third teams benefit from established partnerships with strong regional clubs across the North East, ensuring all players gain valuable match experience and clear progression opportunities!
“Despite living in Marske, I chose Middlesbrough College because of the course and the tutor’s knowledge. My long-term goal is to work in professional football and, as part of my course, I am on work placement with Middlesbrough Football Academy, working as a Performance Analyst across all age ranges. I am also learning how to use systems that would allow me to work for any Premier League team in the country.
“The College have been brilliant in supporting me every step of the way.”
Matty Austin, Level 3 Sports & Experience Science
Meet your coaches
Andrew Collett
Football Academy Director
- Football Academy Director with a professional career in the Premier League
- Former pro goalkeeper with over 250 games for Middlesbrough FC, Bristol Rovers and Darlington FC
- Worked with England’s partially sighted Futsal Squad
- UEFA A Licence GK Coach and B Licence Outfield Holder
- Former Manchester City Academy Northern GK Coach
- Middlesbrough FC Lead U9-16 Academy GK Coach
Phil Stamp
U18 Manager
- Former Middlesbrough FC Midfielder, debut at age 17
- Over 120 appearances for MFC, including 90 in the Premier League an an FA Cup Final
- Played during Bryan Robson’s era alongside Ravenelli, Juninho and Alen Boksic
- Featured in the 1997 FA Cup Final against Chelsea
- Played for Hearts in the Scottish Premier League
Craig Hignett
U19 Manager
- Professional career in football, signed to Everton at just 11 years old with spells throughout his career at Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Aberdeen, Barnsley, Blackburn, Leicester, Coventry, Darlington and Hartlepool
- Scored the first goal at Middlesbrough FC’s Riverside Stadium and won two promotions to the Premier League
- Previously coached young players at Middlesbrough FC Academy
- Previous First-team Coach and Manager at Hartlepool and Assistant Manager at Middlesbrough FC
Jack Leicos
U19 Assistant Manager
- Stockton Town Women’s Lead Coach
- Middlesbrough FC Pre Academy Coach
- UEFA B Licence Holder
We are TASS Dual Career Accredited
TASS (Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme) is an athletic support programme, which helps talented athletes to balance their sport and studies, with the goal of them being able to reach their potential in both. The programme is open to all elite athletes on any course at Middlesbrough College, not just Sports and Leisure courses.
For more information, contact the Sports Admin Team on 01642 333772 or stpsadmin@mbro.ac.uk.
You can apply for a Sports Academy on your full-time course application form. Click here to view all our full-time courses. You can also register your interest in one of our Sports Academies by clicking here and completing the form!
