The Manchester College defeated Burton & South Derbyshire College 2-1 in the Play Off Quarter Finals and were drawn against Exeter College away in the Semi Final. The Play Off Semi Final vs. Exeter was played at Exeter City’s St James Park and Exeter College were supported by a 300 strong crowd however The Manchester College made it to the Final as 2-1 winners with a superb team performance and goals from Kial Callacher and Frank Van-Gils. The Manchester College Football Academy will now play South Essex Collegeat Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium in the BCS National Final on Wednesday 16th May 2pm kick off. The winners of the Final will be crowned BCS National Champions and deemed the best College football team in the country.

The Manchester College Football Academy players train up to 10 hours per week around their college studies and the Academy programme looks to provide specialist coaching, advice and development opportunities to 16-18 year old footballers and link them back into the professional game. The Football Academy at the college also has a club link with FC United of Manchester anduses this link to enable professional coaches to develop and guide players in theFootball Academy and enables The Manchester College players to be given opportunities to play in FC United’s youth team and first team.

Head of The Manchester College Football Academy, Paul Bright said “The players within the Football Academy have worked hard all season and have improved both as individuals and as a team. They have been dedicated to developing their game to make themselves better footballers and their reward has come in winning the BCS Elite League title and reaching the National Final. Our club links with FC United also benefits the academy as the players have opportunities to display their talents at college and club level and aspire to playing in the first team.”

FC United’s Manager Karl Marginson, who is also first team coach at The Manchester College, added “The College Football Academy squad has made great strides this season and our main aim was to help these players understand the game and develop their technical and tactical ability. It is great that they have reached the BCS National Final as it shows them that their hard work has paid off and hopefully these players can continue to develop and meet the standards required to get into FC United’s first team.”

The Manchester College Football Academy will be holdingtrials for current Year 11 male footballers who are looking to combine their football careers with studying a full time college course in September 2012. Any players that are interested in attending the trials and gaining a place in The Manchester College Football Academy should contact Paul Bright, Head of Football Academy, on 0161 920 4811 or email Paul.Bright@themanchestercollege.ac.uk