English Schools' Football Association

Introduction

I am pleased to introduce myself, Andy Blight, the new manager of the England Schoolboys U-18 team and I will be in post for the next 2 seasons. I would like to express my sincere thanks to you already for the hard work and great skill with which you prepare young footballers for the game and the world at large.

Playing for England is open to all players who complete at least 15 hours of education per week. All boys in year 12 and 13 (if they are born after Dec. 31^st) are eligible to play.

The commitment is 6 internationals including the Centenary Shield games. They are all midweek between March and April.

All the games are played on league grounds.

The Experience

Joe Bunney ESFA 2011-12
Myerscough College, Rochdale FC
Professional player 2013-present

“What an unbelievable experience. It will stay with me for the rest of my life. To represent your country, there is no greater honour in the game. We were treated like professional players from start to finish”

You can give your best players this opportunity by nominating them for trials this season. Successful players will add profile to your programme and maybe even open the chance for them to get back into the game at the highest level. Chris Smalling (Manchester United) is a high profile example from 2008-9 squad, along with many other professional players.

Development Day Dates

* There will be regional dates to select players eligible for the following development days

• Saturday October 25^th
  QEGS Blackburn 11.00am KO (North East v North West)
• Sunday October 26^th
  Belper Town FC 11.00am KO (East Midlands v West Midlands)
• Saturday November 1^st
  Venue TBC 11.00am KO : (South East)
• Sunday November 2^nd
  Clevedon FC 11.00am KO (South West)

Nominations process

Each County SFA nominates players from their County U-18 teams. Counties without U-18 teams, like Gloucestershire. The colleges in such places can nominate direct to the regional contact below.

Regional Contacts to nominate through

• Andy Williams (North) andywlfc@btinternet.com
• Paul Rickard (Midlands) p.rickard@blueyonder.co.uk
• Neil Hopwood (Midlands) n.hopwood346@btinternet.com
• Stuart Inger (South West) sjinger@btinternet.com
• Dave Woollaston (South East) daw.esfa@virgin.net

Thank you

Thank you for the support you have already given to ESFA. Good luck with the season ahead, and I hope I get the opportunity to select a player from your school/college/County. It is a truly memorable experience for those who make it.

Andy Blight