Hi All
I wanted to share with you the following review of the Academy and hopefully what you would consider a very positive social media story for the club.
Half Season Review
The Mickleover Academy
(In Partnership with Derby County Community Trust)
As Manager of Mickleover FC and Head of Coaching for Derby County Community Trust, I’m privileged to have insight into the many elements that happen behind the scenes of our football programme.
The Academy continues to be a thriving and integral part of the club, developing extremely well under the leadership of Andy Dales and myself. Andy isn’t just an outstanding member of the First Team; he’s also a highly accomplished coach who consistently sets standards, supports the players, and helps prepare them for their next steps.
As another year progresses, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what we’ve achieved so far – and to look ahead to what promises to be an exciting future for the Academy.
Season Highlights
It has been an absolute pleasure working with the lads throughout the first half of the season. Their attitude toward both sides of the programme has been excellent, and it has been particularly rewarding to see their development—not only as footballers, but as responsible young men who support each other on and off the pitch.
Across our two teams, we have:
- Played 26 matches
- Participated in nearly 150 hours of coaching
- Engaged in work experience hours, helping various schools, clubs and community groups.
This has provided consistent competitive exposure and valuable learning opportunities throughout the programme.
Team Progress
A Team
The A Team qualified from the group stages and progressed to the next round of the National Cup, demonstrating strong cohesion, resilience, and an ability to perform under pressure against strong opposition.
B Team
The B Team are currently in a strong position to challenge for the league, highlighting both the depth within the Academy and the positive development taking place across the wider group.
To further support player development and maximise match minutes, we have also entered a team into the Flexi League, ensuring players receive additional competitive opportunities and can continue to apply their learning in game environments.
Standout Performances
Three performances in particular best reflect the identity and progress of the group:
Aston Villa (Cup) – 5v1
A high energy performance against strong opposition that showcased excellent teamwork, intensity, and attacking intent.
Crewe Alexandra (League)
A deserved win against a tough Crewe side, delivered through an exciting attacking performance that reflected our playing philosophy.
Everton (Away)
Despite a difficult result against a mature and well organised Everton team, the match provided significant learning opportunities and valuable experience for the lads.
Individual Achievements
Alongside team success, we’ve also seen some outstanding individual achievements:
- Two Academy players attended trials with Stoke City and Barnsley U21s respectively, demonstrating clear progression pathways within the programme.
- Academy Captain, from last season returned to speak with the group about his experiences in the USA after securing a full scholarship.
- An Academy player was awarded Derby County Community Trust Student of the Year, winning the accolade from over 170 students—a tremendous achievement reflecting commitment both on and off the pitch.
Second Half of the Season
The lads continue to work incredibly hard, and we are seeing the rewards of that commitment reflected in both performances and results.
Over the coming days, players will receive their Half Season Playing Report, which will include:
- Individual strengths and areas for improvement
- A clear breakdown of key focus areas for the next 4–8 weeks
- There is also plenty to look forward to during the second half of the season, including:
• An exciting international tournament in Denmark, including participation in the Dana Cup, one of the largest youth football tournaments in Europe
• A new gym partnership with Exertion Fitness, supporting physical development and performance
• Guest speakers offering insight into elite sport, lifestyle, and career pathways
• Continued exploration of American scholarship opportunities for players wishing to combine education with football
• The possibility to host international students in conjunction with an establish private school. - We are all thoroughly looking forward to a strong second half of the season, with continued progress in both the League and Cup, and further growth across all areas of the Academy programme.
If you are interested in applying for September’s Academy course, please follow the link provided.
https://derbycountycommunitytrust.com/dcct-college/football-education/
GARETH HOLMES