Wisbech Town appoint academy director at Fountain Fresh Park

Wisbech Town have announced a four-year plan to start producing its own home-grown talent following the appointment of a new academy director.

The Fenmen have brought in Liam De Silva in the role and the newly-formed academy is expected to create many jobs at the football club.

It is believed that Wisbech will use parts of a similar model used down the A47 by King's Lynn Town where De Silva spent two years as head of academy recruitment.

De Silva said: “I have put together a four-year plan to give Wisbech the best chances of success.

"The first year will be to create an academy for the U8-U16 boys and girls. The second year will be the introduction of our U18 full-time program where players will train and study like professional footballers, this will include a boys and girls team.

"The third year will see a year 1 and year 2 team across boys and girls for the U18s and the final year will see the U23 program should everything go to plan.

“It will be a massive operation and we will need paid staff to help with this. By the second or third year, we could be creating over 50 jobs in football.

"This is positive for the area in both football terms but also economically as jobs in sport can be few and far between. I am very passionate about making Wisbech Town the heart and soul of the community."

De Silva believes the United Counties League Premier Division North side is the perfect fit for such a project.

“I had already been asked to help with some coaching with the new U15 girls team that have their first fixture under the lights at Wisbech on January 7," he said.

"It then seemed to be the perfect platform to create an academy and have my business work in partnership with the club.

"I was very impressed with how everyone helps each other to drive the club forward and felt this was the perfect platform to start something really special.

“Our goals are very simple, we want to create first-team footballers for our men's and women’s teams for years to come.

"We also want to create as many professional footballers as we can and be known as a successful academy.

“Having known about Wisbech Town from my time at King's Lynn, I was shocked to find out how few youth teams we have.

"I have always been a believer in youth and developing your own players.

"I pitched this to the chairman Paul Brenchley. He agreed and it blossomed from there.

"Paul has shown great belief in the project and has been a delight to work with so far. I am so excited at watching the academy grow and look forward to the official start in the summer.”

The De Silva Coaching scheme will also run one-to-one sessions and holiday clubs alongside the academy at Fountain Fresh Park.

Academy players will also receive a discount on De Silva coaching’s provisions as part of the partnership.

If you would like to be a part of the academy as a player, coach or volunteer please email Liam at: desilvacoaching@outlook.com