Express & Star

Football school that nurtured a World Cup star reaches 20th year

A football coaching school that counts a World Cup star among the tens of thousands of players that have passed through its doors is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Published
Theo Hudson-Innis, Charlie Moulsdale, Elias Madeley, Viresh Sharma, Uriah Thompson, Ellis Hudson-Innis

Soccer Coaching 2000 started off in 1999 with two staff offering training for youngsters at a city school. It now runs courses at 45 schools and employs 32 full time coaches.

Among the players to have gone through its ranks are Wigan Athletic captain Sam Morsy, who played for Egypt in last year's World Cup, and Sheffield Wednesday striker Sam Winnall, who started out at Wolves.

The firm was started by Wayne Clark, from Bilston, and his business partner Rosemary Jackson, who wanted to turn their love of sports into something positive for the community.

Mr Clark, aged 43, said: "We have always had a passion for sports and fitness, and wanted to help encourage young people around the city to get involved.

"When we started out it was just a session at one school. We had no idea it would grow to this level. The sessions have got more and more popular and all of the staff love what we do.

"With 32 full time staff I like to think we have had an impact on employment in the city as well."

Mr Clark was trained as a coach by former Wolves boss Sammy Chung, having cut his teeth under the guidance of well known city youth coach Barry Austin as a youngster.

As well as football, he also runs sessions on other sports including rugby, cricket and tennis.

Visit soccercoaching2000.co.uk for details.