About EMC Academy
Our Vision
Set up by Jonny Elwood and Henry Muggeridge, EMC Academy look to bridge the gap between the grassroots and the professional game. We give every young player (no matter of their age or ability) the perfect platform to reach their potential.
Our model looks after players from as young as 4 years old through every step of youth football, into our post 16 football scholarship programme and even in senior football...we will be there to support you every step of the way.
There are many technical, tactical, physical, psychological and social aspects that go into developing a player from the age of 4 through to 19 years old. At EMC Academy, we make sure that our players experience all of these components to ensure they have the best chance to develop into both fine young players, and fine young men.
The success of our Academy is mainly down to hard work, commitment and our close relationship with many professional clubs; at EMC Academy, we can confidently say there is a genuine pathway to many Elite clubs.
Our team of experts, with over 100 years of coaching experience between them includes Uefa A standard coaches, those who have played at the highest level, former International players, current semi-professional players, and players who have come through the EMC model and who now work for us, full time. Our staff create a family atmosphere whereby we have 'way more' than just a player/coach relationship.
The EMC model gives players the chance to develop through our centre with various opportunities to showcase their talent each season at a host of professional clubs. Our plan is to nurture the next generation of players by giving them unforgettable opportunities, state of the art facilities and Uefa standard coaching whilst on their journey (both on and off the field), an experience that they cannot get anywhere else. Everything that we do is about helping our Academy players - the #NEXTGEN - reach their fullest potential.
In the 8 years we have been running, we have seen a large number of our players, signed by professional clubs.
Not only have many of our staff played the professional game, but many currently work for professional clubs putting us in a better position than anyone to assess whether your child is technically, physically and mentally ready to go to a professional club.
As we continue to move forward, the determination is stronger than ever to keep investing in the Academy both on and off the pitch.
Our Philosophy
EMC Academy teams will aim to play attractive, attacking and possession-based football throughout the Academy.
All age groups will develop a style of play that is based on possession of the ball, aiming to produce players that can compete at the highest level.
At all times, our teams will try and play out from the back through the thirds, developing players in a style that makes them composed when managing the ball under pressure.
Tactically, all players will experience different systems and positions in their development but will always maintain the same passing style of play.
Defensively, players will learn how to press effectively to win the ball back in each third of the pitch and be able to defend well in 1v1 situations.
