EDUCATION & SEMI-PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL ACADEMY

Well done to the following students who have been nominated by their tutor for their clubs ‘Student of the half-term’. The hard work of our students during the past term has been noted and we are immensely proud of everything they have achieved so far this year. #ESPFADerbyshire (with Belper Town) – Connor Easom Well done to #ESPFADerbyshire student Connor Easom who has been named as the student of the half-term for our programme with Belper Town. Wayne Looker, the tutor for

In the last set of fixtures before the Easter break, three huge games took place in the cup competition that could decide the fate of some teams hoping to make it through to the quarter-finals. Key Matchup Mickleover v Ossett United The North Cup hosted the ‘Key Matchup’ this week which saw two teams pushing to finish in the top four go head-to-head. It was a Lennon Higgins double for Mickleover that saw them take away all three points and almost guarantee them a top four fin

In a huge week in the ESPFA we saw eight games played across two days including the final game of the North Division. We review all the action from an entertaining #MatchweekTwentyThree. Key Matchup Runcorn Linnets v Belper Town – 31st March 2022 The North Cup hosted the ‘Key Matchup’ this week when Belper Town made the tough journey to the North Division Champions. Runcorn Linnets completed their divisional campaign on Tuesday with a 0-4 win over Brighouse Town to finish wit

Congratulations to former #ESPFADerbyshire student Ethan Mann who made his first team debut for Mickleover in Tuesday’s Northern Premier League fixture against Bamber Bridge. Ethan becomes the 80th student to make a competitive debut for the first team of one of our partner clubs and the sixth student to come through the ESPFA Derbyshire Academy and play for Mickleover this season. Mann was a starter in the game for Mickleover and helped his side pick up a valuable point agai

With Runcorn Linnets securing the North Division and Rushall Olympic (Amber) being crowned champions of the South Division, we turn our attention to #MatchweekTwentyTwo with six cup games in store. Key Matchup Carlton Town v Mickleover The North Cup plays host the ‘Key Matchup’ of the week as Mickleover look for their first win in the cup competition when they travel to Carlton Town. With the two sides competing in different divisions, this should be an entertaining prospect

Congratulations to former #ESPFADerbyshire student Kai Moore who made his first-team debut for Mickleover in Saturday’s Northern Premier League fixture against Morpeth Town. Kai becomes the 78th ESPFA student to make a competitive debut for the first team of one of our partner clubs and is the fifth student to come through the ESPFA Derbyshire Academy and played for Mickleover this season. Moore started on the bench for the Derbyshire side and was brought on in the second hal

In another exciting week in the ESPFA, five games took place across the North Division and both sides of the cup draw. We review all the action from #MatchweekNineteen. North Division In the ‘Key Matchup’ this week we saw third place Brighouse Town make the journey from West Yorkshire to Derbyshire where they faced Mickleover. With the season coming to a close and the mid-table teams in the North Division still heavily congested, three points would be handy for both sides who

Well done to the following students who have been nominated by their tutor for their clubs ‘Student of the half-term’. The hard work of our students during the first term of the academic year has been noted and we are immensely proud of everything they have achieved so far this year. #ESPFADerbyshire (with Belper Town) - FYNN MARSHALL Congratulations to #ESPFADerbhyshire second year student, Fynn Marshall who has been nominated for this award by his tutor, Wayne Looker. Wayne

Ten teams were in action in #MatchweekThirteen where we saw Runcorn Linnets take another step towards the North Division crown, whereas Rushall Olympic (Amber) and Kidlington still lead the way in the South Division. NORTH DIVISION Runcorn Linnets edged closer to the North Division title after a professional 3-0 win against Brighouse Town. Two first-half goals from Layton Lee and Jamie Whittaker put the home side in a comfortable position before Lucas Wilson sealed the game o

In the first Matchweek of 2022 we saw a jam-packed fixture list with games from the North Division, South Division, and action from the ESPFA Cup. We review all the action from #MatchweekTwelve. NORTH DIVISION In the North Division, Skelmersdale United moved up to second after a 0-2 win against Ossett United. Two second-half goals from Dominic Evans and Adam Donohue sealed the win which moved them above Brighouse Town in the standings. Ossett United on the other hand remain i

After a well-deserved break over the festive period, the ESPFA is back this week with a jam-packed fixture list! We preview all the action ahead of Thursdays games. Key Matchup Rushall Olympic (Black) v Rushall Olympic (Amber) The South Division plays host to the ‘Key Matchup’ this week with bragging rights on the line as Rushall Olympic (Black) face Rushall Olympic (Amber). The amber cohort are flying high at the top of the South Division having picked up 16 points from a po

Well done to the following students who have been nominated by their tutor for their clubs ‘Student of the half-term’. The hard work of our students during the first term of the academic year has been noted and we are immensely proud of everything they have achieved so far this year. BELPER TOWN – TOBY FOULKE Well done to #ESPFADerbyshire second year, Toby Foulke who has been nominated for this award by his tutor Megan Turner. Megan believes he has increased his effort levels

Congratulations to former #ESPFADerbyshire student, Tom Smith who made his first-team debut for Mickleover in Saturday’s Northern Premier League fixture against Ashton United. Smith becomes the 75th ESPFA student to make a competitive debut for the first team of our partner clubs. The Mickleover goalkeeper played for his side on Saturday and despite losing the game 3-0, he gained some valuable experience against a strong Ashton United team. It’s a great success to see student

Just two games survived the downpours this week after storm Barra battered the UK. Regardless of this there was still the usual high-quality football on display in #MatchweekTen, with two local derbies’ providing the action. NORTH DIVISION Runcorn Linnets travelled to Skelmersdale United in the ‘Key Matchup’ for #MatchweekTen and extended their winning run to seven games after a convincing win. The #ESPFACheshire side scored four second-half goals to seal a 6-1 win that exten

This week in the ESPFA we have some tasty match ups on the cards with two local derbies coming from the North Division. Key Matchup Skelmersdale United v Runcorn Linnets The Key Matchup for #MatchweekTen comes from the North Division where Runcorn Linnets make the 20-mile journey north to face Skelmersdale United. Runcorn have the opportunity to increase their win streak to seven in tomorrow’s fixture and can extend their lead at the top of the table to eight points if they w

Eight teams were in action in #MatchweekNine and we saw Kidlington move to the top spot in the South Division. We review all of the action from another exciting week in the ESPFA. NORTH DIVISION The ‘Key Matchup’ of the week saw Witton Albion travel to Belper Town. Both sides went into this fixture seeking their first win of the season but were made to wait another week after the points were split in a 1-1 draw. Belper Town started the game the brightest and took the lead aft

Another set of fixtures is upon us and even though the temperature is getting colder, the regional divisions are only hotting up! We preview all six of the fixtures in #MatchweekEight Key Matchup Kidlington v Chesham United The South Division brings up the ‘Key Matchup’ for this week as Chesham United travel to Kidlington. Kidlington have been knocking on the door all season and remain in second place behind Rushall Olympic (Black). They are level on points with the #ESPFAWes

This week we saw the first cup game of the new season and four divisional games as well. Ossett United won their second game in a row and Belper Town picked up their first point of the campaign in the North Division and in the South Division Yate Town remain unbeaten since the first game of the season. North Cup The ESPFA Cup kicked off this week as Witton Albion hosted Runcorn Linnets. The two #ESPFACheshire sides met for the first time this year, with Runcorn Linnets taking

An enthralling round of fixtures awaits as we see two regional derbies in the North Division and a huge match in the South Division wherefifth plays sixth. We preview all the action ahead of the #MatchweekSeven fixtures. Key Matchup Belper Town v Mickleover #MatchweekSeven’s ‘Key Matchup’ comes from the North Division where we see the first #ESPFADerbyshire derby of the season. Mickleover make the short trip to Belper Town hoping to take the bragging rights back with them alo

Before the start of the 2021/22 ESPFA Campaign, a fresh divisional structure was brought in as the programme reverted back to two regional divisions: The North and South divisions. So far, we have seen a high standard of football on display week in, and week out and the divisions have been as competitive as ever. Ever since the new academic year started, and our partnership clubs were back on the training pitch and in the classroom, there has been a huge sense of excitement w