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England footballers train at Loughborough University
Posted on 27/12/2008
England footballers train at Loughborough University
Four Loughborough students were among an elite group of English Universities footballers making their final preparations for the British University Games in Loughborough today (2 April).
Liam Green, Liam Hopkins, Bradley Pritchard and Andy Brown are in an 18-strong English Universities team which also features Loughborough Director of Football James Ellis as its Head Coach and Loughborough Head Coach Tom Curtis as Assistant.
England’s players were put through their paces under the eye of Loughborough graduate and Coventry City player Robbie Simpson. The 23-year-old striker made his professional debut last September and is one of seven university footballers in the last two seasons to be recruited to the professional game.
He also played for English Universities as a student and believes a good University football programme is key to enable players to go professional after graduation.
“Training with the Loughborough programme was almost like training full-time and we had very good coaches in James and Tom,” he said.
“I really think my experience at Loughborough has helped me a lot for the situation I’m in now as a full time footballer. It was brilliant work experience for me and meant that when I went to Coventry I had no inhibitions about training full time.
“The standard of University football is always improving. The guys here are playing the standard I was two years ago and look at me now. Loughborough’s Andy Brown is the top goal scorer in the Conference North, which shows the level of talent. If the players really want it and keep going they will be able to play professional too.”
The English Universities programme hopes to give players an insight into demands of the professional game and continue to develop players capable of playing at the highest level. Players were in Loughborough to undergo fitness testing and final game related practice to ensure the team is best prepared for the British University Games which take place in Edinburgh from 7-10 April.
Loughborough University players and their Non League clubs:
Liam Green (Loughborough University / Boston United FC) Liam Hopkins (Loughborough University / Braintree Town FC) Bradley Pritchard (Loughborough University / Nuneaton Borough FC) Andy Brown (Loughborough University / Nuneaton Borough FC)