I've just dropped my lad off for a full day training with Andy Collett's Premier Player Academy at the Seaton Carew football Domes.

It's the first time I've been in and must say I'm well impressed. 6 quality pitches in 3G grass. A fair array of signed Pools shirts in Reception as well.

I wasn't to happy about my ears popping going in though.... what's all that about?

I play there weekly, it's a great surface to play on. Much better than the ankle breaker pitch over at Dykey.

It's a great set up at the domes and plenty of footy schools their for the kids.

Played up their last sunday n it was freezing mind.

Cant wait till my lad gets a bit older n can do all these classes n stuff.

A word to the wise.

Be very careful about this andy collet thing.

Its not what it says on the tin. And their promises are not fulfilled either. The premier bit in the name is just that. A name.

They will be telling you about making teams, of elite players, and how they get the lads trials etc etc.

Just saying.

Is tripledecker signing up as Collett is there?

its to equalise the pressure between the inner and outer ear.

Because it's basically a big welcome to the board bouncy castle without the bouncy bit..


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Just a castle then?

ADGs right their just a money making scam..

You can't beat getting the kids in park with a ball yourself if you've got any footballing nous..

PS anyone who thinks taking their kids to these coaching schools are as deluded as all the mothers who paying for years for these dancing academies.

.It's better than them sitting in front of the tv but definitely won't turn them into Wayne Rooney or even Luke James come to that!!


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I know quite a few parents that paid a hefty fee last year for this so called elite academy.

I might have been one of them but for the lads injury.

Nothing came of it, and never will.

So whats your advice then for parents with kids who might wanna get into footy?

I'm a couple of years off all this yet, but wouldnt mind knowing in advance.

At 30 quid a month and a one off payment of 150 quid for your kit been there and done it with my little lad ? And yes there do promise the earth and there do make it sound good ? There is pleanty of kids football teams in the town and u won't get your legs lashed and the training pretty good at most of these clubs and your kids will improve ? And be scouted if good enough ! I coach a certain town team and we often hav scouts there

Take them to Seaton FC or Greatham from about 6 years old. Just turn up one saturday morning to Brierton for Greatham.

They wont turn anyone away. Not at that age.

Its the best moment ever when they get their first strip.

Ha ha...you sound a bit bitter about it!!

I know what you're saying but I'm not one of these deluded parents who think their lad will be the next Wayne Rooney or Luke James. He just enjoys it and Collett is a very good coach with the kids. The fact my lad plays in goal and ex professional keeper and a professional keeper coach helps. It doesn't matter he used to play for Darlow.

Bitter about what?

You paying for coaching on false promises?

Crack on.

and from very very recent experience, the kids prefer playing for teams rather than constant generic coaching sessions.

If you like the domes you can't go far wrong with Seaton Carew Juniors ... Teams from tiny tots to wear side leagues and ambitions to go further..

. Will probably trounce these Darlow mob into the next level ..they've actually got a plan..

PS there are other clubs in town too if you've got different alliegences but at least the money from these are going back to kids and not into someone's bank balance


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And yes I do know what I'm talking about ...


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I played for Seaton for a few years from when it first started out back in 98 by my Dad's cousin Bernie, such a good set up and only had a handful of teams at the time, good to see it has expanded massively over the years.

Greatham? Seaton?

So many choices.

Seriously though, my eldest will be 5 next month and is just starting to enjoy playing footie at Martyrs on a Saturday morning in their coaching thing (not really coaching, just getting the kids comfortable with kicking a ball about and doing as they're told, but it knocks spots off the daft bastads who were trying to run the one that he'd been going to at Brierton before that). So what do these teams do with 5, 6 or 7 year olds that would keep them interested?

Cheers lads i'll remember that next year when he's 6, he's just starting the football lessons at clavering school and coming to pools with me so it's all new but he seems keen.

Correct our kids pay 5quid a week ? We train twice a week (once a week at domes ) there get all there kit for nowt and there hav a game each Sunday ? No we don't hav a collat or a Barron teaching them but all coaches are level 1 or better ? And we hav had kids move on to professional clubs

There's no false promises like I said he just enjoys it as there's not many Goalkeeper coaches around. He plays for a team in the TJFA, but the coaching there is generic for the team as a whole (I should know as I do it) but he also likes the specialised goalkeeping coaches.

It's up to you Ripper but my Wife and I found kicking a ball around with them yourself inspired him the most. So much so that we got involved with the coaching side ourselves for a good few years.. At that age they only need to do one thing ,enjoy it!


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I kick the ball around with the pair of them regularly and they both enjoy it. To be honest the youngest (who is still 1) is more into it than the eldest. We went for a walk at the Headland the other week and he found a tin can and spent ages just kicking that around and laughing his head off!

There are loads of teams in Hartlepool but not all at the same age group.

Have a look at this site:

You can see the younger aged groups and what teams are in Hartlepool:

http://www.tjfa.co.uk/Divisions/List

Greatham and Seaton are the two clubs that have kids at all ages.

But there isnt a lot of choice. Something I have been going mad about for years.

If they're throwing names around ..what about Venus... Isn't He still a coach at Seaton ..not Mark tho his brother Ian..


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My cousin is there Pringles he a ex pro goalkeeper ! And he also has something to do with boro acad ! Venus runs the under 12 I think

My youngun just turned 6, goes to Brian Honour School on a Friday Night, 5.30 till 6.30. £3 pound a time! At The Domes.
1st half hour individual ball skills, dribbling, and 1 on 1 with the keeper.
2nd part. A match.
Around 25 kids aged 5-8yrs.
My youngun loves it, and Brian makes them all feel superstars.
He makes sure they all get involved too.
It's all about him just enjoying himself, mixing with others etc.
He's certainly improved no end in the last 6 months of going.

My lad went wen it was at peterlee and he loved it ? Is stu irvine still helping out ? Both great lads

Wish I had the opportunity when I was a kid that they have now. I love to become a GK coach but just can't afford to pay for it myself so just do a bit when my nephew asks me to take him on the field.