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Stalybridge Celtic FC has announced that First Team Coach David Sullivan has been appointed Academy Head with immediate effect. David will report to Academy Chair and Stalybridge Celtic FC Chief Executive Ian Milligan in a full time Academy role while continuing his first team responsibilities under manager, Liam Watson. Within his role, David will operate as Head Coach and manage the Academy team. Fellow First Team Assistant Coach Danny Yves will continue to provide Academy coaching support and becomes the new Reserve Team Manager. David will also work closely with Stalybridge Celtic FC Community Officer Mike Smith on a schools and local clubs programme. He will also provide the main day to day contact with Tameside College, as we approach the first academic year of our five year agreement in September.

A UEFA B qualified coach, David brings a wealth of relevant football experience to the role including having established GB Football Academy at Life Leisure. With David and Danny involved in the first team set up, every top Academy prospect who applies himself can see the realistic opportunity to progress into first team football at Stalybridge Celtic FC and in some cases, hopefully beyond.

Ian Milligan commented:
"Having established the best education partner via a five year agreement with Tameside College, the next priority was to put in a place a structure on the football side which will help ensure we are the most popular destination for aspiring young footballers, who want to benefit from a continued education. David will provide that leadership and drive and has a passion for helping youngsters improve themselves both at a football and wider level. Creating this full time role is a significant financial commitment by the club which reflects it�s thinking that the Academy has an important role to play in the long term success of SCFC."

David Sullivan replied:
"I am delighted to be heading the Academy and look forward to working with the youth team in the hope that I can produce some more talent for Liam and the first team soon. Stalybridge Celtic FC reputation for developing players over the last 3 years has to be one of the best in non league. Whether that�s been players coming to us on loan and then going back to their parent clubs in the first team (Dominic Calvert � Lewin at Sheffield Utd) or players from our Academy like Alex Mudimu who played over 40 games for the first team last year, and Darius Osei who went to Barnsley. Liam�s faith in me for identifying talent and Ian�s enthusiasm made my decision to head the Academy an easy one."

For any players interested in joining the Academy and following in the footsteps of our recent success stories, you should contact our Community Development Officer, Mike Smith via email at community@stalybridge.co.uk. We are recruiting 16 to 18 year olds for September 2016 and Mike can give you full details on the Academy along with our new educational partner, Tameside College. Academy training sessions are taking place each Friday evening at Woodley Sports Village, throughout the summer.