SALT glory in national final
In April this year, Liverpool's Academy stars Nacho, Kristoffer Peterson and Joao Carlos Teixeira paid a visit to Sport Art Learning and Training (SALT) college to talk tactics and chat to students.
SALT has centres in Halton and Knowsley where youngsters from across Merseyside can take advantage of a different approach to secondary education.
On the day, Nacho offered an insight into his pre-match rituals, Peterson spoke about the importance of becoming tactically aware as a player while Teixeira stressed the value of playing with intelligence.
And it looked as though the session paid-off as SALT's footballers went on to beat Barnsley College 4-3 to secure themselves a place in the National College Cup Final in London on May 2 against Brockenhurst College.
And Liverpoolfc.tv are happy to report that the boys did their Academy visitors proud by bringing the trophy back to Merseyside after an enthralling final in the capital.
The SALT lads were kitted-out in Liverpool strips that had been given to them by Liverpool's Academy players and the team made the journey south for the showpiece clash with a strong contingent of friends and family in tow.
The final proved to be something of a thriller and ex-Liverpool Academy player Paul Mullin stole the show with a fine hat-trick.
His first strike came courtesy of a Maradona-esque slalom in which he left three players in his wake before applying a clinical finish to give SALT a 1-0 lead in the final. Click below to watch Paul's stunning opener.
Mullin then doubled his advantage from a well-worked set-piece; however, Brockenhurst slowly began to establish a foothold in the game and after halving the deficit, they snatched a last-gasp equaliser to take the final to extra-time.
The SALT players didn't let their heads drop and Mullin was on hand to net their winner to the delight of the family and coaches in the stands.
"It caps a fantastic year for the lads after they got their qualifications," said SALT director Dave MacDairmaid. "But a lot of the lads who did so well this year will now be moving on to their second year of the programme, so we're looking to recruit first years for next term."
Some 150 people turned out for the SALT open trials on Sefton Park in July 2011 from which 20 were selected. Next month, if you are 16-18 years of age you can apply to get involved with next year's programme.
SALT will also be running a summer football programme for boys and girls aged between 16-18, which will start on July 2 and run for 10 weeks coaching youngsters twice a week. For any enquiries about any of the above, call 0151 708 5062 or email contactus@salteducation.com
And to learn more about SALT, click the play button at the bottom of this presentation.