In January 1999, Liverpool proudly unveiled its new Soccer Academy, offering unrivaled facilities for the development of young players. In opening the first purpose-built academy in Britain. Liverpool showed a commitment to the future and set the benchmark for rival clubs to follow.
Liverpool have always had an impressive track record for the development of young talent. Of the current first team Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen, Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and Stephen Wright have all come through the youth ranks.
Midfielder Gerrard became the first player to move from the new Academy in Kirkby to first team headquarters at Melwood when he was called up to the senior squad by Gérard Houllier for the UEFA Cup trip to Celta Vigo in November 1998.
Under Academy Director Steve Heighway, children from the age of eight benefit from specialist coaching sessions three times a week, with matches against other Academies each weekend. A full-time staff of 18 provide the expertise to develop the technical excellence of the 180 students as well as their educational and social needs.
The Academy has ten grass pitches and a specialist goalkeeping area; four of the pitches are floodlit, and all feature full-drainage and irrigation systems. A separate floodlit synthetic pitch - the most advanced installed in this country - also houses its own spectator accommodation.
The Academy also boasts a state-of-the-art medical and physiotherapy centre, hydrotherapy pool and weights room, together with offices, seminar and dining facilities for staff and students.
In August 1999 the Academy opened a new indoor hall, featuring a second advanced synthetic playing surface. Academy Operations Manager Frank Skelly explained: "As synthetic surfaces go, this is just about the best available. It is very useful for the coaches when they want to organise small-sided games and the important thing is the surface is consistent so the bounce of the ball will always be regular."
Liverpool have always had an impressive track record for the development of young talent. Of the current first team Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen, Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and Stephen Wright have all come through the youth ranks.
Midfielder Gerrard became the first player to move from the new Academy in Kirkby to first team headquarters at Melwood when he was called up to the senior squad by Gérard Houllier for the UEFA Cup trip to Celta Vigo in November 1998.
Under Academy Director Steve Heighway, children from the age of eight benefit from specialist coaching sessions three times a week, with matches against other Academies each weekend. A full-time staff of 18 provide the expertise to develop the technical excellence of the 180 students as well as their educational and social needs.
The Academy has ten grass pitches and a specialist goalkeeping area; four of the pitches are floodlit, and all feature full-drainage and irrigation systems. A separate floodlit synthetic pitch - the most advanced installed in this country - also houses its own spectator accommodation.
The Academy also boasts a state-of-the-art medical and physiotherapy centre, hydrotherapy pool and weights room, together with offices, seminar and dining facilities for staff and students.
In August 1999 the Academy opened a new indoor hall, featuring a second advanced synthetic playing surface. Academy Operations Manager Frank Skelly explained: "As synthetic surfaces go, this is just about the best available. It is very useful for the coaches when they want to organise small-sided games and the important thing is the surface is consistent so the bounce of the ball will always be regular."
The indoor area was named after one of the club's most promising young players. Ian Frodsham joined the club as an under-11 player from Brookfield School, Kirkby. He progressed through the Centre of Excellence to sign a professional contract at 17 years of age and played regularly for the reserves. Having represented his country at youth level he tragically died from a tumour of the spine when he was 19 years old. By commemorating his name through the indoor arena we will ensure that he will always be remembered and will never walk alone.
