Monkseaton Football Academy kick-start US careers

Oct 29 2008 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

A TEAM of up and coming footballers are set to score Stateside after landing scholarships in the USA.

The six, all from Monkseaton Football Academy, North Tyneside, will study at universities after being spotted by American scouts.

They are twice England School Champions and impressed in an international tournament.

Zach Tweddell, 19, is in talks with Loyola College, Baltimore, and Fairleigh Dickinson University, New Jersey, for a full scholarship. He said: “Had it not been for the academy, I wouldn’t have had the chance to be playing football and studying for my degree in America.”

All are full-time students who do academic work in the morning and football in the afternoon.

Newcastle United centre half Steven Taylor attended Monkseaton High and is a supporter of the school and academy.

Past pupils Eddie Dines and Phil Bannister play for Loyola College.

Academy director of football Danny Olson, a former Ipswich Town player and Sunderland AFC coach, said: “The chance to see the US and play in front of so many top coaches has been a great experience.”