21 Jun Five Questions with… Coach Charlie Jackson

Posted at 13:15h in Five Questions by

In our new feature, ‘Five Questions with’ we interviewed our Director of Football, Charlie Jackson.

Coach Jackson has worked with some of the finest young footballers during his 25 years in coaching. He has forged a world-class reputation within coaching circles, due to his record of signing young players to Category 1 Academies. Today he talks with us about his time at Moorland Football Academy.

  • How long have you been at Moorland School?

I’ve been at Moorland since 2002. It’s been a journey from the off, I think I’m the longest serving member of staff at the school. The football started when I first came in and we were using the football as an attraction as no other school offer this in area, and still don’t and we have been a success ever since.

  • What has been your ‘crowning moment’ from the school so far?

We have had many crowning moments at the school, but the crowning moment that really sticks in my mind would be the 2014 National Championship. We had limited numbers in the year group, it was the first time we had put a team out due to the numbers and the kids were unbelievably good. The first win is always the best and we have since gone on to win three more. We have also won five Lancashire Cup titles. It has been a huge success and hopefully there will be more to come.

  • What is your oldest memory from your time at Moorland?

The children’s’ enthusiasm. Those children who were already at the school when I arrived at school as the face of football, the overseas students had never seen the quality of coaching we were offering them and it has just rolled on from there.

  • What would you consider your greatest success story?

We have had many, too many to mention. John Cofie went on to play at Man Utd for a record transfer fee at the time. Niall Mason, who came from Real Madrid and signed for Blackburn Rovers. There are also Stefan Mols and Joe Grayson who have also gone on to play for Rovers. They have both made their first team debuts, which I am extremely proud of.  Myself personally, in my Man Utd days, was very lucky to help in the development of Scott McTominay, who is now a regular first team player for Man Utd. We have a lot of talent at the academy and will have many more success stories to come.

  • Why is Moorland Football Academy special?

It’s so special having the academy here at Moorland for many reasons. The culture which has been developed over the years between myself and my colleagues has been to a very high standard. The culture amongst the children and their keenness to develop under my eye has been fantastic. We have a very unique program that we have built over the years which is world-renowned. We hope that our students continue to develop positively and we will carry on producing professional footballers.

A huge thank you to Charlie for taking the time to talk to us and sharing his memories and highlights of an impressive twenty years at Moorland School.