Redcar and Cleveland College’s new ISE Academy signing looks set to build skills on and off the pitch

Training the next generation of up-and-coming young footballers is what Danny Fowler is known for doing best.

Now the UEFA A-licenced coach is bringing his expertise to Redcar and Cleveland College, providing talented young players leaving school with further opportunities to develop in their sport.

New for 2027, the college is launching its all-new Redcar ISE Football Academy and will partner with DF Coaching to deliver training for its top-tier team.

Of working with the college, Danny said: “Our vision is to establish a high-quality post-16 men’s football academy that provides talented young players with an environment where they can continue to develop as footballers, succeed academically and grow as confident, responsible young adults.”

It’s something he and the DF Coaching team have a long history of doing, and a reputation for doing well, working in youth football development with players of all ages and abilities, from those just getting started to the elite.

He also regularly helps put professionals through their paces, including some Premier League players during their off-season training, but Danny says his coaching approach, enthusiasm and drive remains the same at every level.

“I just enjoy coaching those who share my passion for football and want to push on and develop,” he said.

The Redcar ISE Football Academy is the next step in Redcar and Cleveland College’s emerging Institute of Sport and Education (ISE). Its aim is to create pathways for emerging players and athletes to concentrate on their sport without having to take their eye off the ball when it comes to their education.

First established at Bede Sixth Form College in Billingham, ISE has seen hundreds of young athletes achieving remarkable accomplishments both in the classroom and on the field.

ISE launched at Redcar and Cleveland College earlier this year with the introduction of men’s and women’s rugby academies, helping identify new and emerging talent from across the Tees Valley. 

Both colleges are part of the Education Training Collective (ETC).

DF Coaching will oversee training and development of the Redcar ISE Football Academy’s first team offering training, individual development plans, analysis, and next steps including potential exit routes to clubs.

All of this will be backed by additional ISE support with strength and conditioning training, physiotherapy, nutrition and sport psychology.

Danny said: “We want to bridge the gap for those skilled young players who, for whatever reason, might not have been spotted or picked up by the professional club academies.

“There’s more than one way into professional football and for some playing in the Premiership isn’t always the end goal. We want to help talented players get into semi-professional football and there are so many other careers being created around the sport for those with the right skillset and qualities.”

ETC strategic manager of sport and enrichment, Ian Hewitt, said: “As a college group we are excited to be able to bring this opportunity to even more talented young players in the Tees Valley and to expand on the range of full-time study options available after leaving school.

“This is a chance to provide our students with the opportunity to work with a UEFA A-licenced coach and a programme with a proven track record of development for players and people.”

The college will also offer a Redcar ISE Development Team. All ISE programmes will be built into students’ timetables, to fit around the demands of their course.

Ian said: “At 16 or 17, talented young athletes can feel a sense of confusion about whether to focus on their education or their sport. This provides a solution that will drive academic achievement, while recognising and supporting the unique demands of advanced level or elite training and competition.”

Demand for Football Academy places is expected to be high. ISE at Redcar and DF Coaching are holding a Talent Identification Day on Wednesday December 23 at Redcar and Cleveland College from 11am to 2pm. To book your place visit REDCAR ISE MEN’S FOOTBALL ACADEMY or for further details email: Ian.Hewitt@stockton.ac.uk

Potential students are also invited to see the college, discuss courses and meet the ISE and DF Coaching team at Redcar and Cleveland College’s open event on Tuesday December 8 from 5pm to 7pm.