FEATURE
Powerhouse partnership for Teesside’ s next football generation
Leaders- left to right: Joe Lillie, interim head coach of Middlesbrough FC Women; Sammie Leigh, director of sport at Middlesbrough College; Ben Fisher, general manager of Middlesbrough FC Women, and Dan Wilson, Middlesbrough College Women’ s Football Academy coach.
Middlesbrough College is giving Teesside’ s football talent a winning start in an exciting new partnership with Middlesbrough FC, launching dedicated programmes and pathways for both the men’ s and women’ s U19 teams for the 2026 / 27 season.
This collaboration combines elite football development with full-time education, offering young athletes a professional-standard environment to progress both on the pitch and in the classroom.
The new Middlesbrough College MFC Women’ s U19 Football Pathway marks a significant step forward for women’ s football in the region.
Designed to welcome up to 20 elite players, who are set to join the college in Year 12, the programme combines academic or vocational study with highlevel football coaching delivered by UEFA A and B licensed coaches.
Players will train in a professional environment encompassing technical and tactical development, strength and conditioning, performance analysis, physiotherapy support and competitive match play.
Central to shaping both teams is Sammie Leigh, Middlesbrough College’ s director of sport and coach of England Women’ s blind team.
Partners – left to right: Middlesbrough FC head of recruitment Martin Carter with MFC Academy coach Phil Stamp, MFC Academy coach and Middlesbrough College director of sport Sammie Leigh, Middlesbrough College first team coach Craig Hignett, MFC coach Neil Maddison and MFC pre-academy coach Jack Leicos.
Drawing on nearly two decades of experience in women’ s football, Sammie highlights the importance of structured development and elite coaching for young talent.
She said:“ This programme gives girls on Teesside the chance to reach the next level in their football while building skills, discipline and confidence that will benefit them in sport and in life.”
Ben Fisher, general manager of Middlesbrough FC Women, emphasised the wider impact, adding:“ Working with Middlesbrough College allows us to offer the coaching, facilities and support structures that help these players progress into careers in football, strengthening the sport across the region.”
The men’ s partnership, the Middlesbrough FC / Middlesbrough College U19s, further builds on the college’ s strong record of developing sporting talent.
This team currently competes in the U19 National Football Youth League Northern Division and is on track for promotion for the 2026 / 27 season.
Through the partnership, players will wear the Middlesbrough FC badge on their match kits and gain access to state-of-theart training facilities at Rockliffe Park and insight into the professional game.
The academy experience is enhanced by a highly experienced coaching team with a strong Middlesbrough FC heritage.
Leading the team is Boro legend and former Premier League star Craig Hignett, who scored the first goal at the Riverside Stadium. He is joined by Sammie Leigh; Jack Leicos, pre-academy coach at Middlesbrough FC, and former first-team player Andy Collett, creating a coaching line-up with extensive local and professional expertise.
Pre-season for the men’ s U19 team also begins in July, with recruitment underway in collaboration with local feeder schools.
Middlesbrough FC academy manager Craig Liddle said:“ Working with Middlesbrough College allows us to strengthen the club’ s connections with local further education institutions and provide strong exit strategies for academy players moving on from Middlesbrough FC. We are proud to see Middlesbrough College players wear our badge with pride and look forward to welcoming them to our facilities.”
This partnership underscores Middlesbrough College’ s commitment to dual-career development across the men’ s and women’ s teams.
The college’ s TASS Dual Career Accreditation ensures that players receive the support needed to excel academically while pursuing elite sport. This model reflects a growing emphasis in professional football on structured development and education, preparing athletes for both sporting careers and life beyond the pitch.
By combining academic achievement with high-quality football training, Middlesbrough College and Middlesbrough FC are creating clear, professional pathways for Teesside’ s next generation of football talent.
This partnership represents a significant investment in the region’ s sporting future, giving young men and women the tools, guidance and opportunities to succeed at the highest levels while staying in Teesside.
Visit mbro. ac. uk / services-and-support / sports-academies for more information on Middlesbrough College’ s Football Academies and to find out about trials and recruitment.
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