Now is an exciting time for The Henley College Football Development Programme.
After much hard work since his arrival, Tom Guy, new Head Coach of The Henley College Elite Football Development Programme, has secured a first player pathway partnership with non-league side Henley Town FC.
Links with local non-league clubs will ensure the College's players not only get a great footballing experience at the college, but have viable, local pathways to continue to develop their careers after leaving. We hope this will be the start of a good relationship with the club and we will see many former College footballers go on to represent Henley Town in years to come.
Head Coach, Tom Guy said: “Part of our mission is to partner with a range of local football clubs where we can push players into the men's game, if we feel they are ready. We feel that with the UEFA standard coaching throughout the whole programme, we can really help local sides with an excellent standard of young players whilst helping each other resource wise. We are delighted Henley Town FC are willing to work with our programme going forwards."
Peter North, Head of Coaching and Development at Henley Town FC, has strong hopes for the partnership: "We are always looking for new talent in and around the Henley area, our club has decent facilities and we want to try and get it back to where it belongs. I believe adding youth and working alongside a programme such as The Henley College Elite Football Development Programme will stand us both in good stead for the future".
Triumphant Cup Win against Europa School
Tom Guy, Head Coach, was delighted with The Henley College's superb performance against Europa School:
“This is the best I've seen us play since I started here! The intensity, energy, organisation and decision making was very good. Europa made it difficult in the first half through some brave defending and their goalkeeper pulling off a few decent saves, we were able to have a little more composure 2nd half which helped us put the game to bed. The most pleasing thing for me was the way we didn't take our foot off the game or lose concentration in the latter stages which we had been guilty of previously. Special mention to Tom Craft, finishing the game with a hat-trick and who's finishing is some of best I've seen for someone his age as a first year and the midfield who were tireless throughout."
On Tuesday the 25th of February, the boys' first team headed down to Wallingford FC to host Europa School in the OSFA under 19’s cup. The team came out as 6-0 winners and put on a clinic throughout.
Early dominance of possession and chances created allowed the team to go into the break with a well-deserved 2-0 lead. The second half remained much the same and the early possession Henley acquired paid off as the boys were able to notch another 4 goals in the second half.
If are interested in Football Development alongside your studies, please come and get involved at the next trial. Sign up here.
