New sports academy for football hopefuls

It is being launched by Crystal Sports Management, headed by top coach Mark Ellis and former West Ham star Stuart Slater, in a deal scouted by Black Country property agents Bond Wolfe.

Crystal Sports Management, which has been involved in the coaching and management of professional footballers for a number of years, has agreed a let on former retirement home Granville House, 40 Wood Green Road, with an option to purchase.

The property boasts 14 single and three shared rooms on three floors, with lounges, dining room and other communal facilities.

Refurbishment work is being carried out ahead of a planned March/April opening.

The academy will house 20 to 30 boarders from abroad, mainly Eastern Europe and Russia, plus between 20 and 30 local students on a day basis.

James Mattin, Bond Wolfe managing partner, said: "We have seen a frantic start to 2016 and this deal is further evidence of the increased volume of transactions locally. We are delighted to have secured this letting for such a worthwhile and unique cause. Demand for properties with an alternative use angle is extremely high at the moment and we are urgently seeking new stock as sales and lettings outstrip supply."

The students will be developed to a high standard by professional coaches who are badged at FA and EUFA level.

Mr Ellis, director of coaching, has more than 30 years in coaching and management at top level.

He has worked with a host of clubs including Millwall, Middlesbrough, West Ham, Sheffield Wednesday and Arsenal where he coached the likes of Henri Lansbury, Jack Wilshere, Sanchez Watt and Craig Eastman.

He has studied coaching methods with many of the top clubs in Europe, including AC Milan, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus and Paris St. Germain, working with their youth teams and first team training sessions.

Second in command Irfan Kawri, also has top national and international level experience. Stuart Slater played for West Ham, was a £1.5 million signing for Celtic and was also with Ipswich and Watford.

The academy focus is not just on coaching football but also on education – the students will study English, Maths and B-TECH Sports. It has been launched with help from Sandwell Council, West Midlands Police, the Professional Footballers Association, Referees Association, Sandwell Leisure Trust, Sport Wednesbury and various other local sponsors.

"It is about involving and benefitting the local community," said Mr Ellis.

Crystal Sports Management also act as football agents, participating in contract negotiations, brokering deals for clubs and sourcing clubs for clients.

Services for footballers cover all sorts of aspects of their daily life from buying concert tickets and booking holiday flights to organising house purchase and sorting out passports.

"Crystal Sports Management seeks to offer a complete service for clients, from all angles of the game," said Mr Ellis.