The Manchester College footballers picked for Regional Squad

The Manchester College are celebrating their sporting prowess after players from the men’s football academy have been selected into the British Colleges North West Football Squads. Their successes show the high standard of football and professional attitude displayed to training and matches in the college football academy.

The Manchester College have a total of five players selected in the BCS Regional Men’s Squad which means that the further education college is the best represented college in the North West. All of the players will now represent the North West on 2nd November at phase 2 of the trials and will be hoping to gain a place in the British Colleges National Squad and go on to represent their country.

The five men’s academy footballers selected for the BCS Squad are Michael Taylor (16), Rhys Webb (16), Kial Callacher (16), Ansima Matabaro (17) and Jay Walcott (18). The men’s football academy at the college also has a link with FC United of Manchester with Kial Callacher and Ansima Matabaro playing for FC United Youth Team whilst Jay Walcott is on the verge of breaking into the FC United First Team.

Head of The Manchester College Football Academy, Paul Bright said "The fact that we have had five players selected from the college to represent the North West shows the outstanding football talent we have at the college and all of our players within the academy are dedicated to developing and improving their game to make themselves better footballers. 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 teams."

FC United’s Karl Marginson, who is also first team coach at The Manchester College, added "Working so closely with the young players at the college gives me first-hand knowledge of their strengths and areas for development, and also allows me to guide them in their football careers to improve as players and meet the standards required to hopefully get into FC United’s first team."

The Manchester College Football Academy will be holding trials in February half term 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