Cheltenham Town FC

The Hartpury Football Academy, formed in 2002, is the product of a relationship between Hartpury College and Cheltenham Town FC. The aim of the Academy is to attract high quality football players to study at Hartpury College with a view to developing their football talent and breaking into the Academy and Cheltenham Town FC teams.

The close association between Hartpury Football and Cheltenham Town FC enables students to demonstrate their talents within a professional club environment and work closely with the players and coaches.

Cheltenham Town chairman Paul Baker said: “This partnership is the perfect reflection of a leading college institution and its excellent Football Academy. It will act as our primary education partner to hopefully help bring through the next generation of Whaddon Road heroes. Together we have exciting times ahead; this season and in future years, both on and off the pitch.”

Manager Mark Yates added “Looking specifically at the football side of the link, any team wants to do what it can to produce more home-grown talent. Over a period of time, our ambition is to have more youngsters coming through the system who can establish themselves as Cheltenham Town players. With the success Hartpury have had since 2002 together with their first class facilities, including being both college and university national champions this year, we are delighted to be associated with them.”

Hartpury Director of Football, Tom Radcliffe stated “The aim of this agreement between the two parties is to provide Hartpury Academy players with a realistic exit route into the professional football ranks and to provide a variety of educational courses for Cheltenham Town players to help prepare them for careers outside of professional football.”

Ex Cheltenham Town player and Senior Football Academy Manager at Hartpury College, Steve Guinan gave his thoughts “I studied various courses alongside playing and the qualifications I gained helped place me in the position I am in now. This is an ideal fit and gives players the opportunity to play at a very high level and get qualified for their careers after football.”