A successful academy set-up has the potential to save a football club millions of pounds and Fulham Football Club can proudly boast one of the most successful Academies in the country.
The development of young, home grown talent has always been central to the structure of the Club. Indeed, if young potential is identified and developed correctly, a football club’s need to engage in major transfer transactions is limited. Accordingly, Fulham’s drive towards financial self-sufficiency is directly linked to a successful Academy structure capable of producing young players of the highest quality.
Best of the Best
To achieve this it is vital that Fulham recruits only those young players with outstanding football potential and an extensive scouting network is in place to identify the best young talent around.
The Academy prides itself on its premier facilities and utilises the unique atmosphere of the Club to enhance a positive learning environment. With a dedicated team of highly qualified and experienced staff, the coaching, medical, fitness and administration personnel work closely together to ensure organisation of the highest standard.
Training
The training that takes place in the Academy follows a technical programme which is carefully tailored to suit the still developing bodies of the young players. The method is based on a guided repetition style where skills are repeated continuously until techniques are mastered. Drills allow players maximum contact with the ball and emphasis is placed on individual progress rather than match results. Breeding a competitive attitude is deemed important but not to the detriment of long term development.
Player Health
Fulham’s Academy recognises the vital importance of maintaining the medical health and welfare of each of the Academy players and a full array of medical services is available to them. The Academy places major emphasis on physical preparation and, through the players’ various stages of physical development, prominence is placed on correct posture, balance and body positioning, aiming to build strong bodies that will be resistant to injury and recover quickly following play.
All-round development
Acknowledging its responsibility towards the holistic development of young players, the progress of the whole individual is never compromised by the focus placed on technical advance. Fulham’s Academics are assured of the best coaching and facilities in order to maximise the opportunity of becoming a professional. However, the Club also recognises the statistics - becoming a professional player is an extremely difficult task and there are no guarantees.
Education
Consequently, Academy players are encouraged to develop a wide range of skills through the educational and core skills programme. The aim is that if a player leaves the Academy without a professional contract they can still reflect on their experience at Fulham as being a highly productive one, and support is provided for all players who are released.