Knutsford Academy under 18s football academy win the double

The school’s football academy squad almost delivered a treble, but were defeated in the final of a tournament in Memphis during a week-long America tour.

Knutsford Football Academy co-ordinator Tom Horner hailed it as the best season to date, having won their league title for the first time as well as the county cup under head coach Paul Butler – the former Leeds United captain who played centre-back in the Premier League with Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

“The players in the group just seem to have fitted and mixed together really well,” said Tom

“There’s a good mix of leaders, talented footballers and tryers. And coming together collectively has produced a really good atmosphere within the squad. I’m really proud of them.

“We’ve won two cups but never the league, so it’s been a massive achievement to win the double.”

The North West Colleges Sports League Central Conference title was won in style, too.

“We have had a perfect season winning 11 out of 11,” said Tom.

League title glory for the Knutsford Academy boys

Their league victories came against Marple Sixth Form, Cheadle Hulme High School, IH Manchester, Oldham College and Ashton Sixth Form first and second XI, scoring 43 goals and conceding only eight in the process.

They twice fell behind by two goals in the Under 18s John Sleigh Cheshire Schools County Cup Final but fought back to beat Sir John Deane’s College 5-4 after extra time and win the competition for the third time.

Knutsford Academy celebrating their cup final win

Over in Memphis just before Easter the boys played four games in two days in the John Talley Showcase and Shootout, keeping a clean sheet in their opening two games, defeating Georgia Storm Soccer Academy 4-2 in the semi-finals before falling 2-0 at the hands of Semo Elite FC in the decider.

“It was really tough, especially in that heat – we weren’t used to it,” said Tom.

Knutsford Academy all set for action in Memphis

“We took 20 players and we rotated but we’re not like a full-time professional academy where every player is at a certain level, we are a mixed academy so it’s really about making sure as many students got as much game time as possible. We’re proud. We got to the final, when I think we ran out of gas, but we did really well.”

This was the Academy’s fourth tour in partnership with Soccer Scholar USA and a number of students have since been offered scholarships for 2022 and 2023.

“We’ve done it three times before, but after Covid it was touch and go whether we went or not,” said Tom.

“We’ve had four offers of scholarships for next season for the year 13s to go over to America and study. It’s up to them whether they decide to take it. That’s what part of the programme is, it’s to give them the opportunities if they want it.

“It was a fantastic experience in Memphis. The players usually stay with host families but this time it was safer in a hotel because of Covid.

Scene from Knutsford Academy under 18s football team's USA tour

Scene from Knutsford Academy under 18s football team's USA tour

Scene from Knutsford Academy under 18s football team's USA tour

“We went to watch football matches, visit universities and we played in the John Tally Tournament which is where all the coaches come and watch the players and identify.

“The tour will continue to run every year.”

The Knutsford Football Academy is intended to help facilitate students aged 16 to 18 in gaining qualifications and provide a pathway, such as to the University Campus of Football Business (UCFB) in Manchester or scholarships in USA.

Around half of this season’s squad will now move on but hopes are for another good season in 2022/23.

“We’ve got another really good group of younger lads who are coming through from year 11 in the school and also some external students who currently play for local teams which is good,” said Tom.

“Applications are open for next year still, so if anyone’s interested contact my email address thr@knutsfordacademy.org.uk or the school.”