Suso and Dani go to college

But for Reds star Suso this was the case on Monday afternoon when he enlisted the help of countryman Dani Pacheco to open the Liverpool FC Foundation Football College.

Based at Wyncote Sports Ground and equipped with top-of-the-range facilities supplied by the University of Liverpool, the new college will be open to boys and girls aged between 16 and 19.

Students will work under the guidance of experienced staff from Liverpool's Academy and coaches from the Sport Art Learning and Training (SALT) college, to hone their football skills as well as gain academic qualifications.

And birthday-boy Suso witnessed first-hand, the fine work being carried out at the college, when he and Pacheco joined the students for training drills and then a five-a-side match.

"It has been a great experience today," Suso told Liverpoolfc.com. "I think it is really nice for the youngsters to see us here and we have definitely had a nice time joining in with their coaching.

"I hope all the lads have enjoyed themselves."

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Pacheco said: "It's good to come here and see the boys training and it's good that we can help motivate them.

"To see them enjoying their football is great and there is plenty of quality here. The lads are all committed to the course and it's great to see them getting opportunities like this."

The basis for the LFC Foundation Football College was SALT, a scheme which offered youngsters the chance to take advantage of a different approach to secondary education and began with bases in Knowsley and Halton.

The brainchild of David Rowe and David MacDairmid, SALT recognised the importance of engaging local youngsters in something that would make a difference to their lives.

Now, in partnership with the LFC Foundation and University of Liverpool, the new football college gives young people the opportunity to gain level 1, 2 and 3 qualifications in maths, English, ICT and PSD as well as in sport.

Students also have the chance to gain invaluable experience as part of a two-week involvement in some of the LFC Foundation's community programmes and have opportunities to test themselves in teams that participate in national league and cup competitions.

"The idea is to engage local youngsters and give them an opportunity through football," said MacDairmid. "The club has a great image in this city and so we aim to harness that to attract youngsters who may be not have been engaged in education or employment.

"We get them involved in something worthwhile and give them opportunities to progress in life.

"The support we have had from the club and Pete Sampara at the University of Liverpool has been excellent and without their support, we would not be where we are today." 

After joining in a short coaching session with the students and their mentors, it was time for Suso and Pacheco to take part in a question and answer sitting with the college's A-level group.

As well as the Spaniards, Academy manager Frank McParland, head of education and welfare Phil Roscoe and first-team coach Mike Marsh were also on hand to field questions from the inquisitive youngsters before Pacheco presented presented Suso with a birthday gift to round the afternoon off. 

"I was lucky enough to play for Liverpool's first-team when I was younger but when I was aged 16, 17 or 18, there were no courses like this available to others," said Marsh in response to one youngster's question.

"So if I was to give any advice to young people today, it would be for them to get qualified in what it is they want to do.

"People like Dave Rowe and Dave MacDiarmid, here at the LFC Foundation Football College, will help young people become qualified.

"There is no doubt that courses like this help youngsters get on the road towards where they want to be."

To get in touch with the football college, email contactus@salteducation and follow @saltliverpool for more details.

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