12 February 2010
GHA Secures Unprecedented Move For Six Players To Jerez Industrial
The Glenn Hoddle Professional Football Development Centre has followed up its superb week with an unprecedented further six players signing full-time professional contracts for Spanish League One side Jerez Industrial.
The six players; Nick Beasant, Pierre Hall, Michael Noone, Matthew Richards, Nathan Woolfe and Curtley Williams, have all secured moves to the club with options for the future as they aim to bolster the squad and help it continue recent form and to secure its League One status for next season.
The news of these transfers brings to 14, the number of players securing professional contracts following personal development with Glenn Hoddle and there are potentially more transfers in the pipeline with a number of players currently on trial at clubs.
Nick Beasant, 24, a former central defender, who has played professionally in England and in America, has utilised his strength and ability to forge a new career as a striker. With excellent aerial ability and strong finishing, Nick will add a new dimension in attack.
Pierre Hall, 19, released from Fulham FC last season, is a talented central defender with pace and presence as well as strength and control in the heart of the defence. He brings with him experience of Premier League reserve football from his time in England and has developed considerably during his time with Glenn.
Michael Noone, 20, a left sided midfielder or left back was formerly released from Millwall FC before joining the Glenn Hoddle Academy in 2008. Noone is a play-maker from midfield with excellent technique and vision and ability to take on defenders.
Matthew Richards, 20, is an industrious central midfielder released from Wycombe Wanderers. With power and strength and two good feet, he is a versatile player with excellent control and passing ability.
Curtley Williams, 19 was released from Ipswich Town in 2008 and joined the GHA immediately. He is a strong right sided defensive player with excellent passing vision and a quality dead ball delivery. Curtley has most recently been on trial with a number of English clubs, but Jerez Industrial were the first to get his signature.
Nathan Woolfe, 22, a pacy winger, was released from Bolton Wanderers last season and joined the GHA in the Summer. He has a well-deserved reputation as a quality winger, able to take on defenders and to deliver a pin-point cross.
Released from their clubs in seasons 2008 and 2009, all six players came through hard fought trials to secure places at the academy and were successfully offered full-time contracts which saw them move to Spain for the unique professional football development programme.
There is considerable club interest in members of the GHA squad, in England, Spain and further afield and with such a large proportion of players back in the game already, and the promise of further trials at senior Spanish and English clubs, the work being undertaken by Glenn and his team, really is making a difference to players who would otherwise be lost to the game.
Glenn Hoddle said: “This has been an amazing week, we started with two moves to Spanish club Galicia Somozas, we played against Dynamo Kiev, one of Europe’s top teams and the icing on the cake has been securing deals for these six players to move to Jerez Industrial. I’m not sure it can get better than this.
“This is a very proud day for me, and everyone at the GHA. This is exactly what we are working to achieve and to have this level of success already, really does prove that my initial concept of giving these lads more time to develop after they’ve been released, really can work and change their lives completely. Clubs are now reaping the benefits, with the players that they sign and the players have a chance to really make it in the pro game.
“These lads have all worked very hard to achieve their goals. I have been impressed with their attitude and willingness to develop. We’ve worked hard getting them playing with both feet, giving them broader tactical awareness, improved their fitness and really developing them in to all-round players ready for the professional game. I have made it clear to them that the hard work really starts now, they have to continue to perform, week in, week out and maintain their first team places. We’ve given them the opportunity and now it’s down to them to take it.
“With these lads all now back into clubs we are already looking to replace them with the next squad of players, specifically those released from Premier League and Championship clubs, but also players from Europe’s top leagues, where the same issue of early release exists and players can miss out on the opportunity of a career. The GHA is now providing a genuine footballing lifeline for these players.”
For further information please contact: - Neil Duncanson - nd@glennhoddleacademy.com
Fergus Bell Signs Up with the Glenn Hoddle Academy in Spain
Aspiring professional footballer Fergus Bell, aged 19, from Durham, has received a scholarship to the prestigious Glenn Hoddle Academy, a unique professional football development centre, based at the Montecastillo Resort in Jerez, Southern Spain.
