Blackpool FC Community Trust are one of 75 organisations around the country to run an FA Girls Emerging Talent Centre (ETC). This is an FA and Premier League funded programme for girls aged Under 9 to 16 to be a part of an elite football programme. It is the only elite football programme on the Fylde Coast.
The ETC aims to identify players who are talented enough to become a part of the England Lionesses youth teams. Over the years, we have had amazing success with girls who have been a part of our programme joining Women’s Super League academy teams. Our secondary objective is to pass on the Under 16s who graduate the programme, into Blackpool FC Ladies Under 18s and the Blackpool FC Ladies First Team. This will create a pipeline of talented players coming through the programme, benefitting Blackpool FC Ladies in the long run.
Following on from the debuts of 16-year-olds Abby Anderson and Liv Sturgeon in December, two more players have now followed in their footsteps.
With several established First Team players injured or absent, Blackpool FC Ladies manager Andy Aspinall turned to the youth programme to fill the spots. Phoebe Armstrong and Liv Daniels both got the call-up, with both players turning 16 recently. Armstrong made her debut in a 4-3 win against Haslingden Ladies, and Daniels made her debut in the local derby against Fleetwood Town Wrens.
Both players have come through our ETC and have the attributes needed to be a success at the First Team level. Armstrong is a versatile player who can play anywhere in defence or midfield, with excellent technical ability on the ball and a powerful shot. Liv is an attacking player who can play across midfield and attack with excellent speed and acceleration, adding extra options to the Blackpool attack.
Andy Aspinall, Blackpool FC Ladies manager, said,
“We have demonstrated time and time again that we have faith in the youth players in the club. When I first got involved, there was no strength-in-depth to the First Team squad, so any injuries would really affect performances and results. Now we have an endless supply of young players coming through the club, who all have the talent and versatility to help the First Team.
“Each season we will get stronger and stronger, with the next batch of players becoming old enough. We are in the luxurious position now where we can cherry pick the absolute standout players coming through. The competition for places for the First Team will begin to drive forward standards at the club, which will ultimately help us in our plans to achieve promotion in future seasons.”
