News: International Football Academy Link

Atherton Collieries are delighted to announce a further link with Bolton Wanderers by creating a mutually beneficial partnership with their International Football Academy. The well established and respected programme offers international academy players and teams the unique opportunity to live and train like a professional footballer using the first team training facilities while staying at the Bolton Whites Hotel, which is fully integrated into the University of Bolton Stadium. Touring sides then have the opportunity to play against strong, local academy sides such as Atherton Collieries. It is well known that Bolton Wanderers and Atherton Collieries have a strong bond with the two teams facing each other in a number of friendlies over recent years. This led to Bolton Wanderers Ladies moving their home matches to The Skuna Stadium, which helps them to compete at the level in which they currently do. The link with Al-Ittihad was also formed through our close working relationship with The Whites. Head Coach of the Bolton Wanderers International Football Programme, Danny Clarke, was impressed with the facilities available at Atherton Collieries after a Bolton Wanderers youth side played a match there recently. Our own Academy teams have recently benefited through a partnership with Select Soccer Coaching, which is directed by ex-professional footballer Andy Mason who enjoyed spells at Bolton Wanderers and Hull City. Academy coach Andy Holliday is thrilled to have been asked by Wanderers to be a partner, as he explained, "It is a great opportunity for the strong talent that we have here at Atherton Collieries." "We have a great test for our U16's this week when we host Tranmere Rovers at The Skuna Stadium. For us to then begin to also put ourselves up against international sides from Australia, China and the USA will prove to be a great experience for our lads." "Our overall aim with the Atherton Collieries Academy is to eventually produce talented lads who are given a clear pathway into first team football, here at Colls. This partnership will help our players grow and learn more about the game." Pictured: Andy Mason, Andy Holliday, Jo Kinney, Danny Clarke and Joseph Gibbons