Academy Day this Saturday

This Saturday's home game against Burton Albion is the Club's annual Academy Day...

Each year we choose a home game to help celebrate and recognise the Academy as it continues to go from strength-to-strength. 

Academy Manager, Dom Knighton said, "Academy Day is always a special occasion for us as we use the First Team platform to raise our profile and welcome our players and thier families to the Cledara Abbey.

"It has been another good season for us with First Team league debuts for Brandon Njoku and Glenn McConnell, and EFL Trophy debuts for George Scales, Ronani Ismaili and Amaru Kaunda. We have also had some really good loans for a number of our lads, including Mamadou Jobe who has established himself as a key player at Gateshead.

"We are targeting 20% of all First Team minutes by 2028 and with the current number at 9%, it's clear that we are heading in the right direction.

"Looking around the league, it's also heartening to see so many former graduates enjoying really good Football League careers with the likes of Luke Berry, Will Norris, Harry Darling, Tom Knowles and Dion Rankine all thriving at their respective Clubs.

"What's just as important to us though is our development of people and the experiences we offer. With our current infrastructure in place, we have never been stronger this regard."

Before the match, our recent intake of Academy Schoolboys will take to the pitch and have their photos taken as recognition of their signing with the Club. We have four Under 7s as Mascots for the day and fans will be able to enjoy a short game of football between the Club's Under 8s at half-time.

Also taking place at half-time, all Academy Schoolboys will partake in a lap of honour around the pitch, so be sure to give them a rousing round of applause as they walk by.

In the stands, Academy players and their families will be cheering on from the Mead Plant & Grab South Stand, hoping to see one of their graduates make an appearance on the pitch.

Buy tickets for this weekend's game against Burton online at cufctickets.com, over the phone by calling 01223 566500 (option 1) or by visiting the Abbey Stadium Club Shop on Tuesday or Thursday.