East Lancashire Goalkeeping Academy

At East Lancashire Goalkeeping Academy we are incredibly proud to support goalkeepers from across the region, who proudly represent 12 different junior clubs. 🧤⚽️

Today, we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on four more of our goalkeepers who recently received well-deserved recognition at their club presentation days:

Tom – Colne FC Juniors
Award: Most Improved Player🏆

Since joining us in November, Tom has experienced an exceptional season of growth. Beyond his "Man of the Match" accolades and heroics in penalty shootouts, Tom’s commitment has been outstanding. His manager specifically praised his dedication to both club training sessions and his additional 1-on-1 development sessions with our academy.

Luan – Belvedere Football Club
Award: Most Improved Player🏆

Luan has followed up his impressive previous season with another remarkable year. His standout performances throughout the campaign were rewarded with a debut for Lancashire, alongside a successful county cup run with his school.

Rhys – Rossendale Valley Junior Football Club
Award: Parents’ Player of the Season🏆

Joining a new team can be a challenge, but Rhys hit the ground running. Already nicknamed "The Cat" by his coaching staff, he has made an instant impact. His ability to organise his defense and play with unwavering confidence throughout the season and has quickly earned him the respect of his teammates and their families.

Lewis – Barnoldswick Town F.C.
Award: Parents’ Player of the Season 🏆

We were immensely proud to celebrate Lewis as he completed his final session with us recently, having reached our upper age limit. Lewis and his Barnoldswick Town U16 squad finished an extraordinary season unbeaten, securing the league title. Winning the "Parents’ Player of the Season" award for the second consecutive year is a fitting end to his time at the academy and in junior football as he prepares for his next challenge with the U18s.

We are incredibly proud to see our goalkeepers excelling across East Lancashire. As our academy continues to grow, we remain committed to providing the best possible coaching to more young goalkeepers in the area, helping them reach their full potential on and off the pitch. 📈🧤

We now move on to the next presentation day at Rosegrove Football Club where two more of our fantastic East Lancashire Goalkeeping Academy shot-stoppers were proud to receive their end-of-season accolades 🏆

The Award Winners

Finlay Froude – 🏅
Manager's Player of the Season

Every coach wants a goalkeeper like Finlay in their squad. Taking every bit of advice on board, working tirelessly to sharpen his game, and delivering reliable, high-level performances whenever he steps between the sticks.

Finley Broadhurst – 🏅
Players' Player of the Season

There’s no bigger compliment than winning the vote of your own teammates. Finley is a true team player, constantly lifting the squad with his brilliant attitude and pulling off those crucial, match-winning saves when it matters most.

We are immensely proud of both Finlay and Finley for picking up these prestigious awards. Their success is a direct reflection of the incredible hard work, focus, and determination they bring to the training pitch week in and week out.

Another addition to the Barrowford Celtic Football Club Presentation Day Roundup! 🏆⚽

​After losing his confidence, Sam nearly walked away from goalkeeping, but he chose to fight back. He trained harder, listened more, and uncovered a level of bravery he didn't know he had.

​At Presentation Day, he stood tall to claim the Most Improved Player award. This is massively deserved, Sam. All the coaches are incredibly proud of you! 💪💛

Next up in our presentation day roundup is Barrowford Celtic Football Club where two of our fantastic goalkeepers picked up well-deserved awards! 🧤👌

​Stanley – Most Improved Player 🏆

A massive well done to Stanley! This award is the direct result of his incredible dedication this season. The progress he has made is a testament to his fantastic attitude on match days and the relentless hard work he puts in on the training pitch, week in, week out. ⭐👏

​Jonah – Players' Player & Manager's Player of the Season 🏆🏆

What an unbelievable achievement for Jonah, walking away with two awards! To be voted as the top performer by both your teammates and your manager is a massive statement at any level of football, showing just how highly respected he is.

​We are incredibly proud of both boys. They are a credit to themselves, their teams, and our coaching sessions. Keep up the amazing work! 👏

Whilst still recovering, Crossy was out and about at the Colne FC Juniors tournament this weekend. ⚽️

He said it was great to see so many of our ELGA goalkeepers both past & present representing their clubs and putting practice what we work on in training.

A special mention to Jude and Tiago, who played against each other during the day. It was brilliant to hear parents from both sides talking about how well they both played for their teams. 👏

Another special mention to Tiago, who overcame a huge personal challenge this weekend. With some support from Crossy before the game and during the final, he stayed calm, embraced the occasion and helped his team to a brilliant 1-0 win. A massive achievement and a moment he should be really proud of. 💪⚽️
Always a pleasure to see our players enjoying their football, developing, and thriving with their own clubs.
Trawden Celtic FC Rosegrove Football Club

Well done to all the players this weekend 👏🙌⚽️

As we near the end of the season, presentation days are in full swing! We are incredibly proud to highlight our goalkeepers' individual honours and the well-deserved recognition they’ve received from their coaches and teammates.

​First up, a massive shoutout to Footy Zone FC boys, Charlie and Dougie! Both have had tremendous seasons with their clubs and schools, racking up league titles, cup wins, outstanding performances, and plenty of clean sheets.

​🧤 🏆Charlie – Coaches’ Player of the Season

After joining the club this season, Charlie made an immediate impact on his teammates and coaching staff. Even after a tough period sidelined with an injury, his talent and dedication shone through, earning him the Coaches' Player of the Season award!

​🧤 🏆Dougie – Parents’ Player of the Season

Dougie put put on numerous outstanding performances on the pitch this season, reliably leading his team to become Double Cup Winners. His incredible consistency earned him the prestigious Parents' Player of the Season trophy!

​Both of these boys have been with us from the very start, and we couldn’t be prouder of the immense progress they have made. Every single session, they give 110% and set the standard for everyone around them. They are a true joy to coach! 🙌🖤💛

Thanks you for all the well wishes guys.

My surgery was a success….The doctor said I should stop trying to save absolutely everything…but we'll see about that.

See you all soon 🧤

Crossy

Champions! 🏆 🥇

As the season winds down and fixtures become few and far between, our goalkeepers are still putting in outstanding performances. We are delighted to celebrate the incredible recent achievements of four of our shot-stoppers: Mason, Brody, Maddy, and Harvey.

Mason 🏆🧤

​Mason secured his Division 1 League title in emphatic fashion. Finishing the season undefeated with 11 wins and 1 draw, Mason's personal highlight was conceding a mere 5 goals all season—an extraordinary achievement at any level of the game.

Brody 🏆🏆
Briercliffe Community

​Meanwhile, Brody was busy testing himself against the country's best at the Filey Tournament. Representing Briercliffe Community Under-13s, Brody put in a commanding performance to help his team lift both the Saturday and Sunday Cups.

Maddy 🏆🥇
Fulledge Colts

​Maddy and her teammates also emerged victorious as champions of the Fulledge Colts tournament. Maddy’s individual performances caught the eyes of many, with her outstanding goalkeeping proving pivotal to the team's success.

Harvey 🏆
Fulledge Colts

​Completing a stellar few weeks for our goalkeepers, Harvey went on to win the tournament at Blackburn Eagles. Harvey demonstrated fantastic character on the day; alongside making some incredible saves, he showed immense resilience to overcome mistakes, keeping his head high and leading his team to the trophy.

​Congratulations to all four keepers on their well-deserved success. Your hard work in training is paying off!

🏥 BIG NEWS FROM THE ACADEMY CLINIC 🏥

​We want to wish the absolute best of luck to our co-gaffer, Crossy, who is finally going under the knife today for his operation! After taking a serious one for the team playing for Steeton FC, he’s finally getting the expert care he urgently needs 😋

​As you can see, Kersh has personally stepped up, put the scrubs on, and taken full charge🩺📋 He checked his pulse and his stats are looking... questionable. 📉🤪

​That being said, the plastic surgeons have a monumental task on their hands today. We're talking major, historic levels of face reconstruction here. Honestly, forget surgery, this is a structural engineering project. 🏗️😂

​Get well soon, mate! Let's hope they put you back together better than before! 🧤💛🖤

☀️ WOW. That was by far the hottest session we’ve ever undertaken! 🥵

​A massive shout-out and huge credit to all the incredible keepers who braved the scorching temperatures today. You all put in a tireless shift, and we couldn't be prouder of the work ethic on display!

​The heat didn't stop us, and the keepers treated us to some epic Keeper Wars games, rocket shots, fingertip saves, huge blocks, and some serious worldies!

Well done to today's champions 🏆🧤 Our 3 PM individual winner was Harvey, and our 4 PM pairs winners were Ben & Robin!

​Thank you to everyone who came down, pushed through the heat, and made it such a brilliant session. Rest up, hydrate, and we'll see you at the next week.