Soccerstars was originally formed in 1997 to allow players to enjoy playing football at the highest level they can. For some players this means they have the ability to perform for professional clubs. In 2007 Tony Cottee became involved to help promote the coaching programme but due to his work commitments with SKY sports he could not put the time into the programme. Therefore PFA took over the entire coaching and development programme with Dave Thompson becoming the Director of Coaching.
PFA recognise the talent of its registered players and help coach the them to achieve a professional club trial. Read the list of players that have been registered with us and have gone on to further success.
JORDAN FAULKNER-WALPOLE
impresses CHARLTON ATHELTIC scouts
PFA have many contacts in professional football and Director of Coaching Dave Thompson arranged an exhibition match against a side from Loughton where Charlton Athletic scouts would be in attendance. The year 4 match was very good quality but Jordan stood out so much that the scouts decided he was just what they were looking for. They have development centres where they can normally invite players but it was decided to invite him to attend their Academy at Sparrows Lane. Jordan has trained alongside the Academy squad and has played against Tottenham Hotspurs so far and is performing well.
December 2007
SOUTHEND UTD scout PFA goalkeeper
CHARLIE HUNTLEY
Southend Utd have been monitoring PFA goalkeeper Charlie Huntley for some time and have asked him to attend a trial period with the club. Ex PFA goalkeeping coach Mark Mason is currently working for Southend United and recommended him to the club.
November 2007
CHARLIE MEECHAM & JOE BUSH
get trial deal at Charlton Athletic FC
Both Charlie Meecham and Joe Bush Have been asked to attend a trial period for Championship club Charlton Athletic at their Havering development centre. Both players have been coached by the club and been placed into a series of games so thier ability and development can be monitored.
November 2007
RICKY HOLMES to play in FA Cup 1st round
Soccerstars coach Ricky Holmes has helped his team Chelmsford City to a place in the 1st round of the FA Cup against Aldershot Town FC. Ricky was man of the match in the last qualifying round and is looking forward to the Aldershot fixture. If Chelmsford can get through then who knows who they might face in the next round. Soccerstars players will get the chance to see Ricky when the game is shown on TV. COME ON RICKY
LIAM NASH SIGNS CONTRACT WITH SOUTHEND UNITED
Soccerstars arranged a series of exhibition matches against Southend United FC during the 2006 October half term period. The games were to allow players the chance to play "In the Spotlight" with club scout watching the progress of the players. All of the players enjoyed and learnt from the experience. LIAM NASH did extremely well and impressed the scouts with his performances. He has now been offered a professional contract to play and train with the club.
Adam Topley & Billy Harris sign professional contract with Championship side SOUTHEND UNITED
Both Adam Topley and Billy Harris have signed up for Championship team Southend United. Both now play thier matches on a Sunday for the club and are proud to wear the SUFC colours. After spending a couple of years at Soccerstars perfecting thier skills they came to the attention of the club through Soccerstars scout Tom Sloan. Soccerstars will track the progress of these two talented players and we wish them all the very best of luck with thier football careers.
ELLIOTT JOHNSON SIGNS CONTRACT WITH CHAMPIONSHIP CLUB COLCHESTER UNITED
Soccerstars arranged an exhibition match with Championship club Colchester United to allow the club scouts to monitor the ability of the players. Elliott Johnson played an excellent match and impressed the club so much that they asked him to attend a six week trial period and train with the clubs Centre of Excellence. His trial period went well and after a discussion with Soccerstars scout Tom Sloan the club felt Elliott had huge potential and offered him a professional schoolboy contract. Elliott now trains twice a week with the club and plays his matches against other professional clubs.
BILLY HARRIS MEETS JOE COLE & FRANK LAMPARD DURING TRIAL MATCH AT CHELSEA TRAINING GROUND
BILLY HARRIS MEETS JOE COLE & FRANK LAMPARD DURING TRIAL MATCH AT CHELSEA TRAINING GROUND |
BILLY HARRIS MEETS JOE COLE & FRANK LAMPARD DURING TRIAL MATCH AT CHELSEA TRAINING GROUND
BILLY HARRIS MEETS JOE COLE & FRANK LAMPARD DURING TRIAL MATCH AT CHELSEA TRAINING GROUND |
Billy was selected from the Redbridge Training centre to play in an exhibition match at Chelsea’s training ground in Cobham last week. The feedback from the coaches was very good on how he played. During his day at the training ground Billy was able to meet JOE COLE & FRANK LAMPARD. His proud father said “It was an excellent time for Billy. He had a good game and got to meet some of the first team players. Nothing can take away this experience from him. We are just so grateful to Soccerstars for this opportunity”
Ricky Holmes
Taking on a Heybridge Swifts player
Ricky is now finding his feet with Chelmsford City first team after spending the first half of the season playing for the reserve side under the guidance of Dave Thompson.
Tommo stated "I have worked with Ricky since he was 12 years old. I first spotted him playing for Fairfax in the Southend Sunday Junior League and realised instantly he had enormous potential so I sent some of the Southend United scouts to watch him and within a short time we invited him to sign for Southend Centre of Excellence". "The Fairfax team had some excellent players but Ricky was the pick of the bunch in that squad. Although he was small for his age he did things that set him apart from the rest".
Ricky is now showing his full potential and will be a big part of the Chelmsford City side over the next few years.
CONNOR MONAGHAN IS OFFERED A TRIAL AT CHELSEA FC AFTER EXCELLING AT SOCCERSTARS
8 Year old Connor Monaghan has been offered a trial at Chelsea’s Redbridge training centre. The youngster has 6 weeks to impress the coaches enough. If he does then he may be offered an extended stay at this centre where he will be trying to play for a place in next season’s academy squad. Connor has been with Soccerstars for over a year and has made good progress in this time, so the coaches have alerted the Chelsea who then offered the trial.
Ricky Holmes - HOLMES SIGNS CITY DEAL
Ricky is part of our SCORE (Soccer Coaching Open Route to Education) at SEEVIC College football academy. He has been on the advanced coaching programme for three years and has been signed for Rymans Premier League side Chelmsford City.
Billy Harris – HARRIS TRIAL AT CHELSEA
Billy has been invited by Premiership Champions Chelsea to attend their Redbridge Coaching and development centre for a trial period.
Adam Topley - TOPLEY GETS CHELSEA TRIAL
Adam is a natural defender and been attending our Southend advanced coaching centre to help further his ability. We have alerted Premiership Champions Chelsea to his ability and they invited him to train at their Redbridge Centre.
SOCCERSTARS DO DEAL WITH CHELSEA
Dave Thompson and Tom Sloan have joined Premiership Champions Chelsea and look forward to seeing some Soccerstars player’s progress to this level. Dave Thompson will work as a development centre coach and Tom Sloan as a scout. This means that players invited to Soccerstars will get the chance to be invited to a trial period with Chelsea, if they are believed to be of the high standards required by the club. However Soccerstars still have many contacts within other professional clubs and may alert these clubs to player’s abilities
Isaac Maynard
Tom Sloan spotted Isaac playing for Southend Manor and recommended him to Premiership club Charlton Athletic. The club have invited Isaac to train at their Rayleigh centre to assess his ability further.
Ben Langton - CHARLTON TRIAL INVITE FOR BEN LANGTON
We have monitored Ben’s progress for a couple of years and has been recommended to Charlton Athletic. The club have invited him to train at their Rayleigh centre.
George Eales - CHARLTON TRIAL INVITE FOR GEORGE EALES
George has been recommended from our Brentwood soccer school and been invited to attend a trial period for Charlton Athletic
LOUIS SLOAN EARNS SOUTHEND UNITED CONTRACT
12 year old Louis Sloans’ 6 week trial at Southend United has come to an end, but he has impressed the coaching staff so much that he has been offered a two year contract to stay with the club. Louis will receive his training kit and break the news to his team mates who he has been training with. He will now play against teams like Q.P.R. & Brighton.
Elliott Johnson, David Hickey, Cameron Gray - 3 INVITED FOR CHARLTON TRIALS
Cameron Gray, Elliott Johnson and David Hickey have all been invited to attend an extended trial period at the Peter May Development centre in Walthamstow. The club have more than a dozen centres with player training in and over 100 players. The club have now selected the final 20 to choose next season’s squad from, so all of our boys are hopeful.
SOCCERSTARS PLAY CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Soccerstars played an exhibition match against a Charlton Athletic select team last week. This gave several players the chance to play against quality opposition and several players caught the eye of Charlton head of player recruitment Dennis Coxhall. Dennis said afterwards “There was several players’ who showed well on the day and we may be inviting one or two to a trial period with us.
Kye Jude , Elliott Johnson, David Hickey, Cameron Gray - SOCCERSTARS 4 SHINE FOR CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Kye Jude , Elliott Johnson, David Hickey and Cameron Gray played in a specially arranged trial match for Charlton Athletic at their Sparrow Lane training ground last week. All four did very well and the club are interested in monitoring the players over the next few months.
Kye Jude
Kye has been offered a trial period with Premiership club Charlton Athletic. He will attend weekly coaching session with the club.
Elliott Johnson - JOHNSON TRIAL AT CHARLTON
Elliot is natural athlete that will get better over the next few years as a player and is one to watch out for. Tom Sloan has recommended him to Charlton Athletic and the club have asked him to attend weekly training sessions with Charlton Athletic.
David Hickey - CHARLTON TRIAL FOR HICKEY
David has fantastic technical ability and has learnt a lot from his coaching experience with us. He has been selected to attend a trial period with Charlton Athletic.
Cameron Gray - CHARLTON OFFER TRIAL TO GRAY
Cameron has been training with us at our advanced training centre and is a bubbly character. He has special talent and has developed well. He has been invited to a trial period with Charlton Athletic.
Ross Milne & Ben Allum - DUO ATTEND CHARLTON DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
Soccerstars director of scouting Tom Sloan spotted Ross Milne & Ben Allum and has recommended them both to Premiership club Charlton. They have both been attending a development centre to receive weekly coaching sessions.
Joe Allen
Joe was selected for a trial at our Brentwood soccer school and invited to train with Charlton Athletic. Joe has trained and played against other Charlton players and is hoping to get some good news.
Jake Gordon - WEST HAM DEAL FOR JAKE GORDON
Jake has been a regular attendant on our soccer schools for a few years and we have monitored his ability. Many clubs have showed an interest in him including Southend, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea and West Ham. Jake has been offered contracts by more than one club but has decided to sign a deal at Premiership club West Ham United. We wish him all the best in his career.
LOUIS SLOAN GETS SOUTHEND TRIAL
The latest Soccerstars protégé Louis Sloan has been recommended to Southend United for a trial and has 6 weeks to impress the coaching staff. Louis is hopeful that he can earn a contract.
Lee Rogers - SOCCER SCHOOL SPOTS PLAYER
Lee Rogers had already played for Leyton Orient when he turned up at one of our soccer schools, so the coaches and scouts were aware of his ability. He showed enough promise on this school for us to recommend him to Southend United for a trial. Lee has since been on a trial period and Southend coach Lee Surtees felt sure enough to offer him a contract. Good luck to Lee.
Simon Falvey
Simon was spotted by Southend coach Enrico Tiritera at a school coaching session. Enrico invited Simon to Southend for a trial period and after the 6 week period of intense training at the club Simon was given the news that he was to be offered a on e year contract to join the football league side’s Centre of Excellence squad. Simon is now awaiting his training kit and club tracksuit. He will play in their next fixture against Leyton Orient.
Aaron Cooper - COOPER CONTRACT SECOND TIME AROUND
After a successful second trial with Southend United Aaron has been delighted with the news that he is to be offered a one year contract with the club
Aaron Kerner, Liam Valetine and Stuart Hepburn SOCCERSTARS 3 EARN NEW CONTRACTS
Aaron Kerner, Liam Valetine and Stuart Hepburn have been offered a one year extensions to their current contracts, so all three will remain with the club for another year. Well done boys.
Andrew Woolston
Andrew caught the attention of Soccerstars playing on a soccer school. He has since been offered a trial period at Southend United and played against Leyton Orient, Northampton Town and West Ham United. The Southend United staff have offered him a contract until the end of the season.
Aaron Cooper - SECOND TRIAL FOR AARON COOPER
Aaron was not offered a contract last season but he joined our advanced training programme for the summer period. The club have sent scouts to watch him in a recent match and invited him for this second trial.
Ben Yates - YATES DEAL AT SOUTHEND
Following a successful trial at Southend United, Ben Yates has been offered a one year contract at the club. Ben is looking forward to announcing the news to his new SUFC team mates who he has been training with over the past 6 weeks.
Jay Nash - NASH SIGNS ONE YEAR DEAL
Jays’ trial period ended in the week and has enjoyed the experience playing against other professional clubs. Jay was asked to attend a meeting on Friday evening with his parents and Southend Coaching staff. During this meeting Jay was asked to sign a one year contract with the club and has accepted this deal. His proud mum and dad were delighted with the news and looking forward to seeing their son play for Southend against Portsmouth next week. Jay will be given club training kit and tracksuit before the game.
Gary Cuthbert - CUTHBERT SIGNS SOUTHEND DEAL
Gary has played so well in his trial period that the club have offered a one year contract. Proud dad has accepted the offer and Gary will be given new Southend United training kit and tracksuit next week. Soccerstars wish him well in this new start.
Aaron Cooper
Aaron has just finished a 6 week trial at Southend United but unfortunately was not offered a club contract. He has joined our advanced training programme over the summer and we are hoping to alert other clubs to him as we feel he has the ability to play at this level.
Stuart Hepburn - HEPBURN TRIAL GETS OFF TO FLYING START
Stuarts’ trial period has got off to a flyer with Southend United. He played at centre back for the club against Colchester United and the club chalked up an impressive 3-0 win. Stuart performance was fantastic and the clean sheet against him must have gone down well with the club and coaches. He showed some good touches and good position play.
Jay Nash
Jay was invited to join our advanced training squads because he shows a lot of potential. This potential was further spotted when we invited Southend United scouts to attend an exhibition match. The scouts had no doubt they wanted to look at him closer, so they invited him to join the club for 6 weeks to train with the Centre of Excellence programme boys. Jay is hoping to impress the coaches and scouts over this period
Liam Valentine – WINS TRIAL AT SOUTHEND UNITED
Liam has great technical attributes and this showed during a recent school coaching session that he attended. He has been invited to join Soccerstars advanced coaching programme to learn and develop his ability. His improvement has been so good that we recommended him to Southend United. He has been offered a 6 week trial and hopes to impress the club enough to win a professional contract.
Ben Yates – SOUTHEND UNITED TRIAL
Ben has had a remarkable rise in football in a short period of time. Ben has not played before this season in a team but quickly showed the Soccerstars coaches what he is capable of. Director of coaching Dave Thompson says of him “Ben shows naturally good touches and is keen to learn.” He added “We have asked the scouting staff to look at him and they immediately wanted to invite him for a trial period to further assess his ability”.
Matt Harrold – FA CUP HAT TRICK
Matt has been part of our SCORE programme when he came from Southend United. He has recently been offered a professional contract with Brentford.
Connor Fardyga
Connor was invited to join Soccerstars from a school coaching session at Bourmouth Park School in Southend. During his time with us he has been an outstanding player on soccer schools and our advanced coaching programme. He has played a big part in exhibition matches and showed great promise. He has been invited to join Southend United on trial and is hoping for a professional contract.
Jamie Henry
Jamie has attended many soccer schools with us and has shown a lot of promise as a goalkeeper. He has signed for Southend United and played many games for the club against teams like Brighton, Q.P.R. West Ham.
Liam Valentine
During his recent 6 week trial period with Southend United, Liam has played against Q.P.R. & Portsmouth. He has had good feedback from his coaches at the club and has been told he will get a full assessment and decision on a professional contract in the next couple of weeks
Gary Cuthbert
Gary has been asked to attend advanced coaching sessions with us and has been invited by Southend United to attend a 6 week trial period. We wish him all the best on this trial.
Jacob Cleaver
Jacob was just 8 when spotted on the Eastwood school coaching session. After being invited to join Soccerstars he developed and played in many exhibition matches for us and was put forward for trials at Southend United. His 6 week trial went well when he played against Brighton & Hove Albion, Colchester United and Gillingham. He was asked by coach Chris Sutherby to join the club on a one year contract. A proud mum & dad accepted this offer and has since played many games for Southend.
Jonathan Hilliard
During our school coaching sessions with Friars school in Shoebury, Jonathan showed great promise. He is very small for his age but makes up for this with a great technical ability and a super range of passes. Such was his ability he was invited to join the advanced coaching programme and quickly developed. He was sent to Southend United for a 6 week trial and showed enough ability to be offered a one year contract with the club.
Stuart Hepburn
When Stuart attended a school coaching session on Canvey it was immediately apparent he had outstanding talent. He was invited to attend some advanced sessions with us but was quickly put forward to Southend United for a trial. He is awaiting a date for this trial to start and is keen to make an impression with the club.
Liam Valentine
Liam’s trial period is over and in the week he was asked to attend a meeting so the coaches and Centre of Excellence staff could inform him of their decision. Liam was offered a one year contract with the club and has accepted. He was told he would be given his club training kit and tracksuit next week and has been selected to play against Brighton the following weekend.
Joe Carter
Joe was spotted by a Soccerstars school coaching course and immediately placed onto our talented player list. He received coaching to help him develop and then he was recommended to Southend United for a 6 week trial period. After this trial Joe was asked to attend a meeting with his parents in the Centre of Excellence office and was given the good news from coach Chris Sutherby that he would be offered a one year contract with the club.
Aaron Kerner
Another player spotted through the school coaching programme. Aaron was only 7 years old when Soccerstars director of coaching Dave Thompson spotted him. After attending the advanced coaching programme with us his development was so good and so rapid that he was recommended to Southend United for a 6 week trial. The Southend coach had no hesitation in offering Aaron a one year contract to play for the club.
