Cray Wanderers Academy is a fantastic setting to further your career, says Darren Anslow

The Ryman Premier League club are holding an opening evening at Coopers School in Chislehurst on Monday, 13 January 2014 for current year 11/12 students who are interested in joining the Academy.

The opening evening will be held at the school at Hawkwood Lane and will begin at 19:00, with a brief presentation beginning twenty minutes later.

“Whilst all Academies have their good points, a majority are only able to offer BTEC or vocational qualifications which limit the student’s educational opportunities,” explained Anslow, 43, who has coached or managed several non-league clubs including Cray Wanderers, Sevenoaks Town, Cray Valley and Beckenham Town.

“Our partnership with Coopers School allows us to not only offer these vocational subjects but also a wide variety of A level subjects tailored to the student’s educational aspirations.  You will also get the opportunity to play in the FA Youth Cup.

“Whilst most Academies can boast of a player who has progressed to a professional clubs youth ranks, we have had a steady stream of players who have progressed to first team football.”

The most well-known player to make the grade was Sidcup-born winger George Porter, now 21.

After playing several games for the Academy, Porter was promoted to the first team, making his debut in the FA Cup.  His first goal for the Wands came in a 3-2 win over Margate.

After impressing performances for the first team, Porter attracted interested from several Football League clubs including Charlton Athletic, Gillingham, Dagenham & Redbridge and Leyton Orient.

He left Cray Wanderers after playing 41 games and scoring 11 goals in all competitions to sign for Leyton Orient on a free-transfer in May 2010.

Porter signed for Championship club Burnley on a three-year contract in July 2012, but is currently on loan at League Two side AFC Wimbledon.

Porter said: “Before joining the Academy I didn’t consider professional football as a career. It gave me a chance to do something I was good at and develop my understanding of the game which has held me in good stead.”

Other players that have come through the club’s Academy include Conor Gough (Bristol Rovers), JJ Hooper (Northampton Town), Ejiro Okisieme (Middlesbrough) and George Howard (Gillingham).

Goalkeeper Gough, 20, who was with Cray Wanderers’ Academy before signing for Charlton Athletic in 2010 and is now on the books of League Two side Bristol Rovers, added: “The Academy gave me an opportunity to play football when my options were limited which helped me improve as a player. Also having an experienced coach in Darren made playing enjoyable for the whole team, where we had plenty of success!”

Rainham-born goalkeeper Howard, meanwhile, was second choice keeper at Conference South side Bromley for two seasons, helping the club defeat Kingstonian to win the London Senior Cup last season, and earnt a move to League One side Gillingham after impressing Martin Allen in a friendly for Bromley against the Gills last summer.

“The Academy has made me the player I am today,” said Howard.

“A massive thanks to the coaches for taking the time to take me from Charlton Athletic when I was a first year and needed to play games.  I learnt a lot that year and through the Academy I was able to play semi-professional football which gave me the introduction into the men’s game I needed. Furthermore the most important thing was I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.”

Some players have taken the giant step to move to America to enhance their career.

“As well as placing students at professional clubs we have a working relationship with USA Sports and have a number of former Academy students studying degrees on football scholarships in the USA,” added Anslow.

Frazer Cronin, who was with the Academy between 2009-12 and broke into the club’s first team squad, is studying Sports Science at American International College, Massachusetts, and Jean Gnappi, Ogba Ubredi and Temitayo Martens are all studying business in Oklahoma.

Cronin reflected: “Without the Cray Academy it is safe to say that I would not be where I am today. I was given the chance to develop my footballing ability whilst studying and in turn was given the chance to play football in the USA receiving a 100% scholarship.”

And some are playing non-league football for local clubs.

Anslow said: “A number of our ex-Academy students are now also playing semi-professional football in a number of leagues including the Southern Counties East Football League, Ryman South, Ryman North and the Ryman Premier.”

Jordan Clarke, who now plays for Ryman League Division One North side Erith & Belvedere, whilst studying Sports Science, added: “My time at the Academy helped me decide my career path and the support I received from the teachers and coaches was second to none. I am now studying to be a PE teacher whilst continuing to play semi-professional football.”

Anslow explained: “As well as offering Vocational and A level qualifications all Academy students will undertake their FA Level 1 and 2 Coaching qualifications during their time at the Academy as well as a number of leadership awards and mentoring programmes, all delivered in the Academies new education facility.

“This course partnered with the progression of the senior football club who are currently awaiting planning permission for a new 4G stadium and the quality education offered at Coopers school provide a fantastic opportunity for students/players to progress.”

Anslow revealed what the club and school can offer promising youngsters.

He said: “It’s an opportunity for talented young players to come and view what the partnership between Coopers School in Chislehurst and Cray Wanderers FC has to offer not only in terms of football but also academic progress.

“Young players now have a huge choice in the number of these schemes so it is virtually important that they make the correct choice.

“What really sets us apart from a number of these other Academies is that they are only able to offer Btec and vocational qualifications, but thanks to our partnership with Coopers in Chislehurst not only do we offer these same qualifications we are also able to offer A level study therefore offering a much more rounded educational syllabus.

“We also have connections with American universities and currently have four of our previous Academy players on football scholarships in the States as well as a proven record with four of our previous students currently involved in Football League first team squads.

“This coupled with coaching from UEFA A licence coaches the opportunity to represent the club in the Football Conference Youth Alliance and the FA Youth Cup and completion of FA Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications really make the Coopers School and Cray Wanderers FC Academy a fantastic setting to further both your football and academic education.”

To register your place at the open evening please email danslow@cooperstc.com.

Visit Coopers School website: www.cooperstc.com/index.htm

Visit Cray Wanderers’ website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/craywands