On Monday 3rd April the Club ran an Academy recruitment event for the new Education Programme starting in September 2023. The programme also gave the opportunity to showcase some of the media work from local students. Including this article by Tom Luznyj

There was a healthy attendance at The F. Ball Community Stadium on Monday as Leek Town and their partners Buxton & Leek College (BLC), hosted a trial game against Stoke City Academy to showcase their new Education Programme.

The programme is already well established with Buxton FC and Derby County, with numerous students representing first team squads in league games and historic FA cup runs. The event also gave valuable work experience opportunities for photographers, social media students, marketing students, and primary school children to work to alongside a well-established operational football Club. I was fortunate enough to be included too and was invited to write this match report and reflect on the event, many thanks to Gareth Hughes.

When the match began, both sides came out with determination, as expected Stoke City played some composed football for the first 45 minutes and leading the game comfortably 3-1, with an outstanding performance form their back four stopping Leek from open play.

During half time, we were able to interview Leek town Chairman, Jon Eeles, about the new Academy, who commented “We feel there is a significant opportunity and need in the local area for a programme of this nature.”

In addition I also spoke to BLC Principal, Len Tildsley, who added “We deliver a high-quality education programme in line with elite standards, which is already being delivered at Buxton FC and Derby County.”

Back to the action, the second half commenced and both teams rotated their squad allowing all players to participate. Again, the players were wanting to show off their skills, Leek were determined and combined better and pressed Stoke every time they were in possession. Stoke sat back a little due their lead but that worked in Leek’s favour who were decisive and clinical in the final third. They took their chances well to draw level and scored a very late goal to win the game 4-3.

The Stoke players were naturally disappointed after holding the lead for so long, but at the final whistle both teams shook hands and showed a great deal of respect to each other, a fine advert for Academy football.

After the game we were able to do a quick post-match interview with two Leek Town players who both played a part in the victory. They both stated that they were very keen on joining the new programme and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

You can access that video HERE

The event concluded after the game in the Social Club, where all players, officials, and volunteers conversed and ate together. A healthy nutritional meal was provided by the Club and this will be a main feature of the programme too.

You can access photographs of the event HERE

REPORT BY TOM LUZNY, Westwood College Student and aspiring Journalist
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF ETHAN CONLIN & SHANE GOOFELLOW
INTERVIEWERS HARRY & JAMES

Anyone interested in the the Academy Education Programme can find out more at BLC.CO.UK or ring 0800 074 0099.

Email ENQUIRIES@BLC.AC.UK or ACADEMY@LEEKTOWN.CO.UK