A football academy set up in the name of Steven Gerrard, the former Liverpool and England midfielder, will be run in Whyteleafe from September.
Steven Gerrard: bringing hiss football academy to Whyteleafe
The Steven Gerrard Academy made the announcement last week.
In February, Inside Croydon reported that Whyteleafe FC’s Church Road ground had been bought in a £495,000 property deal by Singapore-based Irama Sport, who have “close links” to another former Liverpool international, Ian Rush.
The organisation’s website says that the Steven Gerrard Academy, which was established in 2011, provides “life-changing experiences through football and education for young people”.
They currently operate a “football college” in Liverpool, and from September 2021 will run a similar operation in Tenerife, where they offer a full-time two-year course “equivalent to three A-levels”.
It will be the first time the Steven Gerrard Academy has operated outside Liverpool
They say, “Steven Gerrard Academy provides a high-quality experience for 16-19-year-olds who are interested in pursuing further education and a career in football, such as coaching or other professions within the sports industry.
“We are proud of the fact that our academic achievements are above the national benchmark. The education programme runs alongside an outstanding football schedule, led by UEFA-licensed coaches with experience in top academies, such as Liverpool Football Club.”
Some courses offered by the Academy are fee-paying, some as much as £10,000 per term. But a spokesman for the Steven Gerrard Academy said, “This education programme in Surrey is government-funded and there are no fees for young people wishing to apply.”
Gerrard is currently working as the manager of Rangers, who he has just led to their first Scottish league title in 10 years.
For Isthmian League side Whyteleafe FC, after initial uncertainty, it now appears that they will continue to play their games at Church Road, although not with Harry Hudson as their manager. Hudson announced his resignation last week after nearly three years at Whyteleafe, during which time, because of covid-19, he had presided over only one completed season.
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£10,000 per term. That should attract a proportionate cross-section through society. Who ever said football was exclusive ?