England is home to some of the best football clubs in the world, including the two Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham. So, you can see that graduating from a football academy in England could add a whole lot to your CV. So, in this article, we are going to talk about the cheapest football academy in England. Yes, there are many football academies here, and some are expensive. But we have made this list of the most affordable ones you can register without spending so much money.
Cheapest Football Academy in England
1. FCV International Football Academy
So, the first on the list is FCV, located in the UK. The name is FCV International Football Academy, the country’s first private football academy. As long as you are a footballer aged 16 and above, you can start your football training here. FCV is specifically situated at Grace Dieu Manor Park in Leicestershire. FCV is cheap because the application fee starts from £799 per week.
The facilities are state-of-the-art, including high-quality grass and 3G training pitches, an analysis center, and a modern gym. Some of the courses you will take include Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and A Levels, in collaboration with Loughborough College. English Language. FCV accommodation is of high quality. They have en-suite rooms, study areas, games rooms, and an on-site kitchen.
2. IHM Football Academy
At number 2, we have IHM Football Academy in Manchester, UK. You can get full-time training as a professional footballer here. So, this makes the list as the cheapest football academy in England because they charge affordable fees of £1842 (2 weeks) and £3459 (4 weeks) for 16/17-year-olds. If you are 18+, you pay £1,760 (2 weeks) or £3,286 (4 weeks). Most importantly, this football academy places equal importance on education and football. They actually provide you with the necessary education and football skills to help you succeed.
3. Manchester International Football Academy (MIFA)
At number 3, we have Manchester International Football Academy where you train like a full-time professional footballer. This academy is located in the UK and is committed to developing football skills. Yes, they also take your education seriously. This academy offers various football training and study programmes where players can earn internationally recognized qualifications.
MIFA is also cheap and admits young players aged 16 to 24 years old from all over the world. For example, the 2-week football training and conditioning programme is £1,230 while the 2 week football training with English tuition programme is £1,610.
4. Buckswood Football Academy
At number 4, we have Buckswood Football Academy, another cheap football academy in England. This academy was established in 2011. They actually provide top-quality coaching and support to young players eager to develop their football skills alongside their education. This academy competes at the highest levels of English school football, including county, national, and international competitions. They take part in events such as ISFA, ESFA, and County Cups. This academy charges per term. For example, the UK Day Football Academy fee is £6,450 per term. Buckswood Football Academy offers one of the football academy scholarship trials you can get in Europe.
This Academy features teams across various age groups, including Under 13, Under 14, Under 15, Under 16, Under 18 and 19. So, if you fall in this age category, you can register with them to begin your football career.
5. We Make Footballers
We also have We Make Footballers, known for its weekly training, coaching sessions, and holiday camps. They cater to kids aged 4-12. At We Make Footballers, you can even get a free football session—yes—£0 to be paid. This academy assists children of all abilities to become the best footballers they can be.
The training here is personalized and fun. Also, only the best coaches, who are passionate about football and nurturing the next generation, are employed in the academy. You will also experience high-quality indoor and outdoor facilities used to provide comprehensive football training.
6. EMC Academy
At number 6, we have AMC Academy, easily the cheapest football academy in England. Also, EMC offers the first session free of charge, which is known as the Taster session. This academy is located in the South East of England. It is a professional football coaching company managed by Jonny Elwood and Henry Muggeridge and uses a unique player pyramid model to help young players find their level at the Academy.
The ambition of EMC Academy is to be recognized as one of the top football academies worldwide. But it’s not just about football skills; the Academy also focuses on developing fine young men, not just fine young footballers.
7. Football Escapes
Football Escapes offers more than just football training; it’s a complete holiday experience that sets their football holidays apart. You can sign your child up for the ‘Football At the Campus’ programme which costs £550. It’s only for children 5 to 15 years old. Each child who enrols in the course is given a full kit including, a shirt, shorts, and socks, as well as a medal on completion of the week’s course.
On the pitch, Football Escapes’ sessions are led by real Premier League legends and football freestylers, supported by a team of UEFA-licensed coaches. In the fun and engaging environment created by Football Escapes, participants work on various aspects of the game like shooting, decision-making, tactical awareness, and technical skills. Beyond improving their game, participants will also make new friends.
A typical 7-day holiday with Football Escapes includes five two-hour sessions from Monday to Friday, 10 am to 12 pm. Each participant receives a full personalized Rascal x Football Escapes training kit and a medal upon completion.
8. Claremont Football Academy
Claremont FA is the cheapest football academy in England with an intensive football development programme that helps gifted footballers reach the next level. They also open doors to various roles in the game like coaching, scouting, performance analysis, and research. The experienced coaching team at the Academy has developed a unique and dynamic play and study programme to help all young players achieve their footballing aspirations.
This Academy includes a Boys and Girls Academy, home to the U14 National Champions, and features an in-house Premier League Scout. They have a record of proven success across all age groups. This Academy also offers a joint Football and Personalized Academic study programme.
Facilities at the Academy span four sites with 125 acres of beautiful grounds and pitches, including floodlit all-weather sports pitches and two indoor Sports Halls. There are also two newly refurbished boarding houses for students. The Academy Director Jim Colston, with over 25 years of experience in the game, has developed players in the United Kingdom for clubs like Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Chelsea, Brighton and Hove Albion, and in Europe for FC Magdeburg and AC Milan. So, you can tell there is a wealth of experience in this academy.
9. Aston Villa Football Club
At number 9, we have Aston Villa Soccer Schools. This is an academy for children aged 5-12 years to learn new football skills and have fun in a safe and secure environment. Aston Villa Football Club academy is actually cheap, and children are allowed to socialize with their friends and work alongside kids from different schools and football teams.
Each day at a Soccer School is divided into a morning and afternoon session. During the morning session, children focus on dribbling, passing, running with the ball, defending, and shooting. In the afternoon session, they play competitive games and mini-tournaments. All the coaches here are FA Qualified and trained in first aid.
10. Fleetwood Town Football Academy
At Fleetwood Town Football Academy (FTIFA), the 4 week football course fee is £1,999 plus a £250 non-refundable deposit to be paid along with the completed application form. Fleetwood Town Football Club is an English professional club playing in League One of the English Football League (EFL). The football academy is located in the North West of England on the Fylde Coast, just an hour away from both Manchester and Liverpool.
11. Sydney Russell School
The Sydney Russell 16+ Football Academy offers the chance to play elite-level football in a professionally managed environment, under the guidance of a UEFA B Qualified Coach. The Academy collaborates closely with a Premier League Football Club, particularly in the Talent Identification department. Training sessions at the Academy are designed according to the England DNA Principles, aligning with The FA’s vision for the ‘Future England Player’ across the 4 corner model. Each player receives a tailored programme as part of the Strength & Conditioning offer, which includes training in a state-of-the-art gym.
The Academy uses a ‘video camera’ to record matches. After the games, they perform detailed video match analysis to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Sometimes, trips are organized to enhance the experience at the Football Academy. Open Training Sessions for the Football Academy are set for January, with Trials taking place from April.
12. Community Sports Foundation
At number 12, we have the Community Sports Foundation. This is a foundation, so the fee is really cheap. This community sports foundation has soccer schools that offer a lively and enjoyable football experience to thousands of children during school holidays every year. These Soccer Schools are held in various locations across Norfolk & Suffolk.
The features of the Soccer Schools typically include:
- Engaging games, exciting competitions, and Norwich City-themed activities.
- Coaching is provided by FA qualified coaches.
- Opportunities for participants to be chosen for Norwich City Community Sports Foundation’s football development programmes.
- An early booking discount is available online.
Participants who book a Soccer School online four weeks before the start date receive a £7 discount off the listed price of the venue.
13. Manchester United Soccer School
The official provider of global and domestic coaching, coach education programmes, and football experiences for Manchester United’s commercial partners. Manchester United Soccer Schools (MUSS), since its inception in 1999, MUSS has created and delivered a wide range of football activities for over 500,000 participants. These participants include boys, girls, and coaches from grassroots, academy, and national games, as well as club partner customers, staff, and clients from across the UK and over 90 different countries. MUSS has operated in 250 towns and cities in 65 countries. MUSS Free Foundation offers an extensive school football programme for free to local schools in the UK.
14. Ipswich Town Foundation
So, we’ve come all the way down to number 14. The next cheapest football academy in England is Ipswich Town Soccer Schools. Every year, hundreds of children are given a top-level footballing experience by the Ipswich Town Foundation on holidays. These Soccer Schools are conducted by ITFC staff every school holiday at various venues across Suffolk.
Some incredible aspects of the programme include:
- Games, competitions, and Ipswich Town-themed activities.
- Coaching by minimum Level 2 FA qualified coaches.
- Certificates and course gifts.
- Mascot appearances.
- First Team player appearances, etc.
A standard day at the Soccer School runs from 10 am to 3 pm and costs £22. The times and prices may vary for each Soccer School.
15. Rising Stars Sports Academy
Finally, we have the Rising Stars Sports Academy, a cheap football academy for 4 to 16 year old boys and girls (segregated). This academy was established in 2013 in Birmingham. It currently has over 700 active members. The staff, all FA qualified, DBS cleared, and first aid trained, ensure a safe environment for every player. This academy is affiliated with the County FA and recognised as an FA Charter Development Club.
Conclusion
So, that’s all the football academies in the UK that are cheap right now. The cheapest football academy in England, according to WorkAfterSchool.com is Manchester International Football Academy, followed by FCV International Football Academy. This list has shown really unique football academies, with features, courses, and facilities that make them all unique. Just make sure to register at an academy nearer to you and begin your journey in football.
Read Also: How to Contact Football Clubs for Trials
