Hartlepool United Football Club and Hartlepool College of Further Education are excited to announce the extension of their academy partnership for an additional two years, with tentative plans for future collaborations. The club and college, both longstanding institutions in Hartlepool with a combined history of 288 years, aim to build upon their successful association. As the partnership enters its fifth year, new innovations and enhancements are planned for the program.
Since its inception in August 2020, the academy has successfully integrated elite players for EFL Youth Football Alliance games and the National Colleges league. Alongside football training, the program provides exceptional educational and training opportunities, contributing to numerous success stories on and off the field.
Last season saw several academy players, including Max Storey, Louis Stephenson, Campbell Darcy, and Alfie Steel, make their first-team debuts. Impressively, three of these players have now secured first-team contracts for the upcoming season. Additionally, the program has produced two England U18s schoolboy internationals, Oscar Fletcher and Archie Small.
The partnership also supports players pursuing semi-professional careers and further education. For example, Charlie Rowe has balanced engineering studies with his football career, and Toby Crawford has earned a prestigious sports scholarship at Stirling University. The academy currently fields two squads: the Under-18s compete in the Youth Alliance against EFL Academies, while another squad trains and plays full-time in the National Colleges League. Plans are underway to expand the program, including additional coaching, sports science, medical, and analysis support for the student-players.
Ian McGuckin, the Club’s Academy Manager, emphasized the importance of building on the solid foundations established in recent years. He highlighted the dual opportunities for players to develop their football skills and gain valuable education and training. Ian Clark, the College’s Head of High Performance and a former Pools player, echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of providing both football and academic pathways for the young men.
Joe Monks, Hartlepool United’s Head of Football Operations, praised the collaborative efforts that have culminated in this extended partnership. He highlighted the academy’s goal of creating a sustainable model independent of league status and noted the visible progress, such as the number of academy players making their debuts last season. Gary Riches, the College’s Vice Principal, expressed his enthusiasm for the extended partnership, emphasizing the mutual benefits for both institutions and the local community.
Overall, the extended partnership between Hartlepool United and Hartlepool College of Further Education represents a significant step forward in nurturing young talent, providing comprehensive training and education, and contributing positively to the Hartlepool community.
