The Manchester College Press Release

FC United have been working alongside The Manchester College (formerly MANCAT) since the 2006/07 season and both FC United’s youth team and The Manchester College Football Academy have gone from strength to strength.

Below is a press release from The Manchester College with an update on their progress to date.

The Manchester College Football Academy is once again poised for further success this season as both men’s and women’s teams embark on achieving victories in no more than four cup finals over the coming weeks.

The Manchester College Football Academy prides itself on developing young footballers whilst they pursue their further education courses and qualifications. With three men’s teams as women’s team and a disability football team the college has wide representation and participation in the game.

The Manchester College also has a successful partnership with FC United of Manchester which allows talented players to progress to a high standard of non-league football. With the first team being overseen by FC United Manager Karl Marginson the opportunity to impress is there for every player. The link has so far this season seen four college players representing the FC United youth team and one player being called into the FC United first team.

Further plans are afoot for next season to replicate the men’s link by developing an FC United Women’s team that will allow female players to continue their development outside of the college.

Indeed, the success of women’s football at The Manchester College has taken centre stage this season with the team reaching the prestigious English School FA U18 Cup Final on Thursday 7 May. This is the first time that the college has played in the national final which this year is being played at Carrow Road, the home of Norwich City FC. In the final they will face tough opposition from Filton College, Bristol.

Six days before the showpiece final they will be in action again in another final, this time in the Greater Manchester Schools Final where they will face local rivals Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College at Ashton United on Friday 1st May.

The men’s team will be hoping they too can achieve some silverware this season in their national British College Sports Final on Wednesday 6 May at the Keepmoat Stadium, home of Doncaster Rovers FC. Here they will take on Hills Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge. Again, the team will warm up for their second final with a fixture against Manchester Grammer School in the Manchester Cup if they can overcome Loreto Sixth Form College or St Bedes in the semi- final.

The final’s represent some great progress for the coaches and staff involved in developing and supporting football provision at The Manchester College. With the recent award of FA/British College Sport Focus College status - the only FE institution within the North West to achieve this prestigious award - the college hopes to continue it’s investment into football development and attract more talented football players from across Manchester.

In addition to Manchester College’s success two North West Teams will be competing in the English Schools FA Under 15s Final at Stockport County’s ground on May 11th when Warrington U15s take on Stockport U15s k-o 7pm