League Football Education (LFE) is celebrating two decades of nurturing the next generation of football talent and fostering educational excellence as the organisation marks its 20th anniversary.
Over the last 20 years, LFE has:
- Worked with 102 Football Clubs and 16 Community Trusts.
- Successfully guided over 11,000 apprentices through its programmes.
- Delivered close to 13,000 BTEC qualifications.
- Helped more than 5,000 young people who didn’t pass their English and/or maths GCSE to achieve a Level 2 Functional Skills qualification.
- Reached a total of 150,000 people through various personal development and life skills initiatives.
- Provided over 100,000 hours of one-on-one reviews and support.
- Facilitated 293 European player placements.
- Hosted Assessment Trials for around 3,500 released apprentices, playing in front of approximately 2,600 scouts.
- Been graded ‘Outstanding’ by OFSTED, testament to LFE’s unwavering commitment to the development of young people.
LFE works with 64 EFL Clubs to deliver the Level 3 Sporting Excellence Professional Apprenticeship Standard to 1,184 apprentices, as well as partnering with 13 EFL Club Community Trusts to provide the Level 3 Sports Coaching and Development programme to nearly 700 16-18-year-olds.
The role played by LFE ensures that young footballers become well rounded individuals, making sure they are well prepared for their future, whether that is in the game or outside it.
Notably, 11 of England’s 26-man squad for UEFA Euro 2024 were former LFE apprentices, including Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham, Manchester City treble winner John Stones and Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, whose late strike against the Netherlands sent the Three Lions into the Final in July.
Unfortunately, not every player at an academy will go on to make it in the professional game, and being released from a Club is one of the hardest moments in a young player’s career. While some will find opportunities at other Clubs, for many this will be their first experience of a world outside football.
LFE stays in regular contact with players for a three-year period after being released, supporting them as they pursue their new career paths. There are a wide range of success stories from former players who are now thriving in new careers after their time in football came to an end.
Former scholar, Ollie Smith is now an airline pilot, George Barmby is enjoying a career as a pain management practitioner for the NHS, while Drew Ricketts is now a firefighter.
While there is undoubtedly a focus on helping players transition to other careers, LFE also works to provide players with opportunities to continue in the game, either at home or further afield.
A particularly well-trodden and successful route for young players looking to stay in the game has been to Sweden via the European Player Placement initiative. One of those players was Jamie Hopcutt.
After being released by York City, and following brief spells in non-league, then-Östersunds FK Manager Graham Potter, a former York player himself, expressed an interest in taking the midfielder to the Swedish third tier back in 2011. LFE facilitated that move, with the Erasmus+ programme funding his initial three-months in Sweden.
After impressing, his contract was extended and during his first spell at the Club, Hopcutt went on to make 189 appearances, scoring 46 goals, achieving two promotions, winning the Swedish Cup and playing in the UEFA Europa League – including a start in their 2-1 Round of 32 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
LFE is now also helping apprentices secure playing futures in the USA and Australia through a recently approved Turing fund project.
As part of their apprenticeship, players are also given a grounding in a wide range of areas that benefit them both on and off the pitch. These include topics such as:
- Nutrition
- Personal Finance Management
- Emotional well-being
- Sexual Health
- Racism and discrimination
- Safeguarding Awareness
- CPR and Cardiac Health
The quality of LFE’s provision was recognised in their most recent OFSTED report, published in April 2023, where they were judged to be ‘Outstanding’ in all areas, with inspectors stating that learners and apprentices “consistently demonstrate extremely positive attitudes towards their learning,” and are “highly enthusiastic and motivated to achieve” in what was described as a “calm and focused environment for learning.”
Sarah Stephen, Chief Executive for League Football Education, said:
“Reaching our 20th anniversary is a proud moment for League Football Education and is testament to the hard work and dedication of so many people.
“We are incredibly proud of the impact we have made over the past two decades and we are excited to continue building on our success so far and helping young footballers achieve their potential, both on and off the field.”
Trevor Birch, Chief Executive of the English Football League (EFL), added:
“LFE has played an integral role in the development of young football talent whilst also prioritising their educational achievement.
“The role they play in assisting young footballers is vital to their ongoing journey. They provide first class support structures to help the transition towards players becoming well rounded young men who can thrive both inside and outside the game.
“They have made a hugely positive impact on so many lives over the past 20 years and we look forward to seeing LFE continue to thrive and support the next generation of players and professionals.”
