Williams Landing Football Club

19/09/2026

While Alexander, Dylan, Seb, Fetch and Choi have been at Djurgårdens IF in Sweden 🇸🇪 , Julian has been working with Greek club PAOK FC 🇬🇷.

He will be joined by Dylan, afetch and Choi while Alexander and Seb head to London for their trial with Millwall FC 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

18/09/2026

🇪🇸⚽️ NEWS: WILLIAMS LANDING FC OFFICIAL SUPPORTERS CLUB – SOUTH OF SPAIN!

We can officially confirm that our international coach has travelled back home to Spain for a short trip! ✈️🇪🇸

While he may be temporarily escaping the cold Melbourne weather, we’re pleased to announce that the Williams Landing FC Official Supporters Club in the South of Spain is already up and running! 😂⚽️

👑 *Founding Members:*
Connor & Wayne Horrocks

We expect regular updates, plenty of football talk and absolutely no excuses for missing the Saints! 😂💙🤍❤️

Enjoy your short trip home, Coach — but don’t get too comfortable… Williams Landing FC will be waiting for you! 😉⚽️

Connor Horrocks

SafeTravels FootballFamily

18/09/2026

16/09/2026

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 SIXTH STOP: BIRMINGHAM – DAY TWO | DERBY COUNTY FC

Another excellent insight into English academy football, this time at Derby County and their Category One Academy at Moor Farm.

One of the most interesting developments has been the introduction of a B Team, designed to bridge the gap between academy and first-team football and expose Derby’s highest potential players to a more senior environment.

Player retention was another major talking point.

2011 born England youth international Blake Henry is a perfect example. After reportedly scoring 45 goals across Derby’s academy programme and already playing U18 football at just 14, some of England’s biggest clubs came calling.

Chelsea have won the race for his signature, although Henry remains a Derby player while Chelsea serve their ban on registering academy players from Premier League and EFL clubs until January.

It perfectly highlights the challenge for development clubs: identify, coach and accelerate a player through the pathway, only for the financial giants to eventually come calling.

Another valuable visit comparing talent identification, development, retention and transition into senior football.

Thank you to good friend Pavlidis at Derby County for the hospitality. ⚽️

2027 EOI Link 👇🏼

https://form.jotform.com/261970425266865

15/09/2026

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 FIFTH STOP: BIRMINGHAM — DAY ONE | BIRMINGHAM CITY FC

A genuinely impressive place to visit.

Since taking control in 2023, Knighthead Capital Management through Shelby Companies Limited, led by Tom Wagner and backed by figures including Tom Brady, has invested heavily into Birmingham City and the wider project around the club.

The ambition is obvious.

Moving from a Category 2 to a Category 1 academy has naturally brought challenges, but there is a clear understanding that this is a walk before you run process.

New staff have entered the academy environment with one goal: raise standards across every area.

Recruitment. Coaching. Sports science. Analysis. Education. Player care.

And the ultimate blueprint already exists.

The Bellingham family.

Jude joined Birmingham at U8, became the club’s youngest-ever first-team player at 16 and his move to Borussia Dortmund helped safeguard the club financially.

Jobe followed the same pathway, breaking into the first team at 16 before earning his own high-profile move.

That is what every academy wants.

Not just producing players.

Producing players who are genuinely ready.

Knighthead are now investing heavily in sports science, video analysis, education and infrastructure, with the long-term vision of bringing academy and senior football together within the planned Birmingham Sports Quarter.

The ownership clearly understands this is a long-term build.

There is patience around the academy, but equally a huge hunger to return Birmingham City to the Premier League.

A massive thank you to Ben, Academy Recruitment Manager, for his time and generous hospitality.

Hopefully the beginning of a long and meaningful relationship between our clubs.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿⚽️

Technical Director
Williams Landing FC

2027 EOI Link 👇🏼

https://form.jotform.com/261970425266865

14/09/2026

2026 “A” GRADE CLUB CHAMPIONS 🏆

Williams Landing FC has officially won the 2026 “A” Grade Club Championship.

From the opening rounds to the final standings, we led from start to finish.

This is a club-wide achievement and a reflection of the work put in by our players, coaches, staff, volunteers and families across the entire season.

Congratulations to everyone involved.

The final table speaks volumes.

Williams Landing FC — 2026 “A” Grade Club Champions. 🏆

13/09/2026

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 FOURTH STOP: MANCHESTER — MANCHESTER UNITED

As a lifelong Manchester United supporter, this was a genuine dream fulfilled.

I had the opportunity to watch Manchester United’s U13s play Everton at the iconic Carrington Training Centre.

Due to strict safeguarding rules, I was asked not to take photos anywhere players may have been present.

But there was definitely an aura around the place.

Supporters were already lining up outside hoping for autographs, knowing the first team were inside preparing for the Manchester Derby the following day.

You could feel the history of the place.

The Manchester United Women’s first team were also training and, genuinely, the quality was some of the highest I have ever seen.

Outstanding level.

The main focus, though, was the U13’s against Everton.

As expected, it was intense, quick and highly competitive, with United running out 5–1 winners.
Marcus Rashford also made an appearance watch the game.

Afterwards, I was fortunate enough to tour the accessible academy areas before having lunch in the academy staff and players’ lounge.

One of the most valuable parts of the day was a long conversation with Josh, United’s Local Talent Lead Scout, about the increasing challenges around recruiting young players.

Agents now have enormous influence.

Sometimes that influence is positive.

Sometimes misinformation, promises and outside noise can make an already difficult decision even harder for young players and families.

The promise of fortune and glory at a young age can often be a player killer.

A wonderful football experience.

And for a lifelong United fan, a genuine dream come true.

❤️⚽️

Technical Director
Williams Landing FC

2027 EOI Link 👇🏼

https://form.jotform.com/261970425266865

12/09/2026

🇩🇰 THIRD STOP: COPENHAGEN — MALMÖ FF 🇸🇪

Due to flight times out of Copenhagen, I couldn’t physically cross the border to visit Malmö FF.

As it turned out, Malmö came to me.

Good friend Boris was in Copenhagen coaching Malmö’s U14s in a tournament, giving us the chance to catch up and talk about the changing academy landscape in southern Sweden.

And it is changing quickly.

FC Copenhagen’s investment into FC Rosengård 1917 has given them a direct presence in Malmö, while FC Nordsjælland and Brøndby have also strengthened their recruitment across Skåne.

The battle for young players has intensified.

But there is an important point that can sometimes get lost in all the noise:

Malmö FF produces players.

It has proven that over many years.

Despite increased competition, Malmö remains Sweden’s No.1 ranked academy, achieving the maximum seven-star rating for the seventh consecutive year.

That matters.

Because for young players and families, development should not simply be about who comes knocking first, who has the biggest name, or where the lights appear brightest.

Sometimes the best decision is to stay.

To keep developing in an environment with a proven pathway, proven coaches and a proven record of producing players.

Moving for a seemingly flashy light does not always mean moving is better.

Malmö’s response has also been significant, with greater focus on wellbeing, psychology, life skills, parent education, agent awareness and stronger relationships with local feeder clubs.

The competition for talent is now cross-border.

But the long term winner will still be the environment that develops the player best.

And Malmö FF has a very strong history of doing exactly that.

🇸🇪⚽️

Technical Director
Williams Landing FC

12/09/2026

🇸🇪 SECOND STOP: SÖLVESBORG REGION — DAY THREE

After a two-hour delay and a six-hour train ride from Stockholm to Sölvesborg, unfortunately I missed first-team training with reigning Swedish Allsvenskan champions Mjällby AIF.

Mjällby really is one of Swedish football’s great fairytale stories.

The surrounding area has only a small population, yet the club plays in a boutique stadium holding around 8,000 people complete with a caravan park right next door.

It is a very unique football environment.

I had a great conversation with their Academy Sporting Director, comparing what we do at our respective clubs and discussing the challenges and opportunities that come with player development.

A really enjoyable experience at a place where a genuine football fairytale has come true.

It was also great catching up with Giorgios, who now works across the academy and first team environment.

He spoke to me about his previous journey with Ukrainian club FC Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih, where at times the trenches were only around 30 kilometres away, before eventually making the move to Mjällby.

A remarkable football and life story.

I then watched the U19s against the U17s in a training game simulation.

Once again, the competitiveness stood out.

A highly contested session, with a lot of direct football, intensity and players fully committed to winning their individual battles.

Another very different football environment and another valuable day of learning.

🇸🇪⚽️

Technical Director
Williams Landing FC