MEN'S
FOOTBALL ACADEMY
TRAIN & PLAY FULL TIME WITH
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
MULTIPLE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Park View Academy of Sport has established itself as a high performing football programme, consistently achieving national success across English College (ECFA) leagues since 2017. This success has not only earned us multiple national championships but has also provided our players with opportunities to compete on the international stage.​
Our programme has consistently delivered success on the national stage, securing ECFA National Cup victories in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
In May 2025, we achieved a historic and remarkable double success for our academy, with both our Men's and Women's teams being crowned ECFA National Champions.
We have also lifted National Football Youth League (NFYL) trophies for four consecutive years (2018–2021) and were crowned Premier Division champions in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
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This winning culture ensures that students joining our programme are stepping into an elite football environment with a proven pathway for player development, success, and progression.
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Our national championship-winning squads prove that our high-performance programme, led by UEFA-qualified coaches, prepares players for the next step—whether that be professional football, scholarships in the USA, or university progression in the UK.​
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Thanks to our ongoing national success, Park View Academy of Sport has proudly been selected to represent England at the prestigious ISF Schools World Cup tournaments. Our boys' and girls' squads competed against the very best schools from around the world, showcasing their talent at events in both Morocco (2023) and China (2024). These opportunities highlight the exceptional level of our programme and give our students the chance to experience international competition on a global stage.
NATIONAL​
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TITLES
PERSONAL GROWTH
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GAIN LIFE SKILLS
JOIN NATIONAL
CHAMPIONS
PLAYERS SIGNING
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FOR PROFESSIONAL CLUBS
ELITE LEVEL
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STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
BENEFITS OF OUR
PROGRAMME
WHAT WE OFFER
TAKE A LOOK AT THE OPTIONS
Our academy is designed to provide students with an exceptional experience both on and off the pitch. Click one of the icons to find out more about different aspects of our programme.
FOOTBALL PROGRAMME
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OUR
VENUE
MEET THE
TEAM
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OUR
TESTIMONIALS
APPLICATION
PROCESS
FOOTBALL PROGRAMME
RECEIVE COACHING, DATA ANALYSIS & STRENGTH & CONDITIONING AS PART OF YOUR JOURNEY.
See below all aspects of our
Men's Football Academy.
FOOTBALL
COACHING
At Park View Academy of Sport, our players receive elite-level coaching from a team of highly experienced and UEFA-qualified professionals. Our coaching staff boasts extensive backgrounds in professional football, combining years of playing experience with the highest coaching qualifications to deliver a tailored development programme for every player.
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Training sessions are meticulously designed to replicate the demands of the modern game, with a focus on technical development, tactical understanding, and physical conditioning. Players will engage in structured sessions that enhance their positional awareness, decision-making, and overall football intelligence. Each player’s progress is closely monitored, with regular feedback provided to ensure individual goals are met.
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Our coaches are dedicated to creating a professional environment that mirrors the expectations of elite football clubs. Whether working on technical drills, set-piece strategies, or match-day preparation, players will experience a high-performance culture designed to maximise their potential. With access to cutting-edge analysis tools, performance tracking, and video review sessions, players receive the insights needed to sharpen their skills and improve game performance.
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Beyond the pitch, our coaching team is committed to supporting players’ personal growth and development. By combining expert guidance with mentorship, we help players build confidence, resilience, and leadership skills – vital attributes for those aspiring to play at the highest levels or pursue opportunities in the U.S. college system.
MEET OUR TEAM
TAKE A LOOK AT OUR
EXPERIENCED TEAM OF STAFF
All of our coaches are UEFA qualified and are vastly experienced in the Men's game.
Lewis
Pendleton
Director of Sport
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Colin
Wotherspoon
Men's Football Coach
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John
Gamble
Director of Football
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Ross
Morecroft
Goalkeeper Coach
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Michael
Nelson
Men's Football Manager
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Gary
Neasham
Head of Medical
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Michael
Barron
Men's Football Coach
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GAMES
PROGRAMME
Our players benefit from a comprehensive games programme designed to provide maximum exposure, development, and competitive experience.
During the week, players compete in the English College FA Premier League, facing strong opposition from across the region in a structured, high-intensity environment. This league offers regular games, ensuring players have consistent game time to develop their technical, tactical, and physical attributes.
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Players can be selected to play for Park View AFC on a weekend - our unique games programme where players compete in the national step system, which is the unique English League System, where teams seek promotion to eventually gain entry into the football league.
What makes our programme unique is that we are the only club in the country to have a squad made up of youth team players playing in open age (adult) football in the FA national system.
Opportunities exist for:
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Durham County Leagues
Wearside League
The Northern League
North East Regional Women’s League
To further enhance player exposure, our programme also includes Showcase Games against professional and semi-professional clubs, giving players the opportunity to impress scouts and coaches from top-tier football organisations.
LINKS WITH
PROFESSIONAL CLUBS
At Park View Academy of Sport, we pride ourselves on our strong connections with professional football clubs across the UK and beyond. These links provide our players with invaluable opportunities to showcase their talent and gain exposure at the highest levels of the game.
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Our partnership with Huddersfield Town and relationships with clubs such as Sunderland AFC, Newcastle United, Middlesbrough FC, and other professional academies enable our players to experience elite-level coaching, take part in trial opportunities, and participate in high-profile showcase fixtures. These showcase games allow players to compete directly against professional youth teams, offering scouts and coaches the chance to assess their potential in a competitive environment.
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In addition to showcase matches, our established network provides pathways for players to gain professional trials, secure club placements, or progress into development squads. Our experienced coaching staff — many of whom have played or coached at professional levels — actively maintain these links, ensuring our players are exposed to opportunities that align with their talent and ambitions.
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SENIOR FOOTBALL WITH PARK VIEW AFC
If you're joining Park View Academy of Sport, the Men's Football Academy offers an ambitious and exciting pathway into senior football through our First Team programme. Designed for talented players aged 16–19, the programme gives students the opportunity to train and compete at senior level, preparing them for football beyond youth age groups.
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Our First Team competes in the Northern League (Step 6), providing a platform for players to test themselves against experienced senior opposition. This is not just about youth football – it's about bridging the gap to the men's game. With a full-time training model, double sessions, and strength and conditioning support, players are developed physically, tactically, and mentally to perform on weekends when it matters most.
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Through strong links with professional clubs and showcase matches, players regularly attract attention from scouts and coaches across the football pyramid. Those who show the right attitude, ability, and work ethic will be given a chance to progress into the First Team squad and potentially move higher.
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Learn more about the First Team structure and pathway here:
STRENGTH &
CONDITIONING
At Park View Academy of Sport, our players benefit from a Premier League academy-standard performance gym — equipped by Perform Better, the official supplier to the England National Team. Our state-of-the-art facilities provide everything needed to help athletes progress physically and reach their full potential.
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Our Strength & Conditioning programme is headed up by Martin Nugent Elite Performance (MNEP) — one of the UK’s leading high-performance specialists. Martin and his team bring vast experience working with elite-level athletes across professional football, athletics, rugby, and combat sports. His résumé includes working with Premier League and international footballers, Olympic medalists, and world-class performers such as Jordan Pickford, Steph Houghton, Beth Mead, and Patrick van Aanholt.
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MNEP’s team of UKSCA-accredited, Master’s degree, and PhD-qualified coaches deliver tailored programmes for every player, focusing on developing strength, power, speed, and endurance — the physical attributes crucial to excelling at the highest levels of football.
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The performance gym is fitted with cutting-edge technology, including VALD testing systems, Witty Timing Gates, and PASCO force plates, allowing our staff to monitor workloads, track performance data, and create evidence-based training programmes. Athletes also benefit from full and half racks, Olympic lifting platforms, and specialist tools such as the Eccentrix K-Box — designed to elevate eccentric strength and overall performance.
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Every student-athlete follows a structured, position-specific training programme delivered by MNEP’s experienced coaches who understand the physical demands of the professional game. This ensures all players are physically prepared to perform and thrive both on and off the pitch.
CATAPULT ONE
PODS
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PHYSICAL METRICS RECORDED IN TRAINING & GAMES
REHABILITATION
CENTRE
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INJURY PREVENTION & TREATMENT
VEO
CAMERA
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GAMES ARE RECORDED FOR PLAYER ANALYSIS
SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY
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​RECEIVE TECHNIQUES TO HELP WITH
MENTAL READINESS
PLAYER ANALYSIS &
REHABILITATION
Park View Academy of Sport prioritises the holistic development of its players through the strategic implementation of advanced technologies and dedicated support systems.
Performance analysis is enhanced through the use of VEO camera systems, providing automated recording and AI-powered insights into training sessions and matches. This allows for detailed review of team tactics and individual player performance, facilitating personalised feedback and remote sharing capabilities for continuous learning.
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Furthermore, Catapult wearable technology offers quantifiable data on key performance indicators, enabling coaches to monitor training loads, mitigate injury risks, and develop individualised training plans based on objective physical metrics.
In the event of injury, players benefit from comprehensive rehabilitation programmes delivered by expert sports therapists and physiotherapists. These programmes are tailored to individual needs, employing modern facilities and a phased return-to-play approach, alongside education on injury prevention strategies.
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Recognising the crucial link between well-being and athletic success, the Academy provides regular well-being talks and support initiatives. These address mental health awareness, offer guidance on cultural integration for students, and cover essential topics such as nutrition and time management, ensuring players have access to the necessary resources for their overall well-being and development both on and off the field.
TIMETABLE
A LOOK AT WHAT YOUR WEEK WILL LOOK LIKE AT PARK VIEW ACADEMY OF SPORT
The timetable below is an example week at Park View Academy of Sport and is subject to change.
MONDAY
9:00 - 10:10 - Academic Classes
10:10 - 11:10 - Academic Classes
11:30 - 12:30 - Strength & Conditioning (S&C)
13:30 - 14:30 - Academic Classes
14:30 - 16:30 - Training
WEDNESDAY
9:00 - 10:10 - Academic Classes
10:10 - 11:10 - Academic Classes
11:30 - 15:00 - Competitive Fixture (ECFA League or Friendly)
FRIDAY
9:00 - 10:10 - Academic Classes
10:10 - 11:10 - Academic Classes
11:30 - 12:30 - Strength & Conditioning (S&C)
13:30 - 14:30 - Academic Classes
14:30 - 16:30 - Training
TUESDAY
9:00 - 10:10 - Academic Classes
10:10 - 11:10 - Academic Classes
11:30 - 12:30 - Strength & Conditioning (S&C)
13:30 - 14:30 - Academic Classes
14:30 - 16:30 - Training
THURSDAY
9:00 - 10:10 - Academic Classes
10:10 - 11:10 - Academic Classes
11:30 - 12:30 - Recovery Session
13:30 - 14:30 - Academic Classes / Free Time
SATURDAY
Match Day – Competitive Fixtures in Northern League or Durham County League​
OUR VENUE
TRAIN & PLAY IN A PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT
Take a look at the facilities on offer at Park View Academy of Sport Academy.
LOCATED IN
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CHESTER-LE-STREET
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
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PERFORMANCE GYM
11 v 11
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GRASS &
3G PITCHES
PHYSIOTHERAPY
SUITE
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PREHAB & REHAB
TESTIMONIALS
TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT OUR PLAYERS HAVE HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
Take a look at what our former students had to say about our programme!
JOSH KING
YORK CITY
My time at Park View allowed me to get an extra year of developing the physical side of my game. This helped me progress into the professional game.
HARRISON CLARK
LIVINGSTON F.C
I was able to train like a professional alongside gaining an education. The coaches connections enabled me to go trial with professional clubs in turn allowing me to sign a professional contract
MICHAEL
SPELLMAN
SUNDERLAND AFC
Going into full time training allowed me to develop sides of my game which I was lacking. This enabled me to enhance these areas, ultimately helping me gain a professional contract.
JONATHON FOX
FC HANSA ROSTOK
It was a year in which I played in a few positions and got to find out about myself as a player. Gained a fitness diploma qualification (PT), something which I haven’t yet come to need, but in the future could be handy, alongside a semi-pro football career, for example. It goes without saying that we had an epic season on the pitch, which is always nice, but most of all for me, I was able to thoroughly enjoy my football, and meet lads who I can say are mates for the long run.
HOW TO APPLY
APPLY NOW
