A new Cumbrian football academy played its first competitive game – at one of the most famous training grounds in the land.
The Cumbria Institute of Sport, which has just started at the former Newton Rigg College site near Penrith, took its team to Melwood, the former training ground of Liverpool FC.
It is now home of the Fowler Academy, a similar sport and education academy run by legendary Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler and which is affiliated to the Anfield club.
The Cumbrian team, who are now affiliated to Morecambe FC, lost the game 4-0.
But it was an invaluable first experience in the National Football Youth League, says former Carlisle United favourite Darren Edmondson, who has set up the Cumbria Institute of Sport.
“It was fantastic for us to play there,” said Edmondson.
“You just had to think about some of the players who have been there over the years.
“There is still a lot of Liverpool memorabilia there, and for that to be the first game for the lads and Cumbria Institute of Sport is fantastic.”
Jamie Carragher is also involved in the Fowler Academy.
Edmondson set up the Cumbrian academy this year. It aims to offer young people aged 16-19 the chance to train professionally and play against clubs and academies in the region, whilst equipping themselves with skills and qualifications.
The first intake started recently, with five days a week combining education, coaching and strength and conditioning work, with help from District L Fitness in Penrith.
The Newton Rigg site’s new owners are improving facilities, with a new all-weather pitch having recently been laid.
The football side of the institute also received a boost when League One club Morecambe agreed to become partners.
It will see the Shrimps cast an eye on the young players on the institute’s books, with training and games opportunities.
Edmondson said: “Morecambe are similar to how Carlisle were, when I was academy manager there, in terms of recruitment budgets – clubs at that level don’t tend to have very big recruitment budgets at all.
“So when I discussed it with Greg Strong, the head of recruitment at Morecambe, and Stewart Drummond, the academy manager, they were keen to get involved and broaden their scouting networks.
“It ticked boxes for both. We now get to develop as Morecambe, which is great and means Cumbrian footballers have more eyes on them.
“There is Carlisle and Barrow, but they can only take limited numbers, so it gives us the chance to bring young players to Newton Rigg, and then Morecambe get their eyes on them in terms of training, playing, developing.
“It’s a promising partnership. There will be some training days and practice matches, and Morecambe are committed to that.
“I played with Stewart at Chester and came up against him a number of times as a coach when I was at Carlisle and Rochdale. We’ve been in touch often.
“It’s good news for Cumbria that young footballers will have a League One club’s eyes on them.”
Edmondson said the institute is still open to recruiting more students. For more information visit the website HERE
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