Over the past 10 years Manchester United Soccer Schools has travelled all over the world coaching football played the United way. But that isn’t, and never has been, at the expense of budding young footballers on the Reds’ own doorstep.

Through our player development courses and club visits, Soccer Schools has travelled the length and breadth of the country putting a smile on the faces of youngsters. Now there are also hugely popular weekly courses being run only a stone’s throw from Old Trafford.

Each Saturday morning, for six-week periods, approximately 80 young footballers of all abilities (aged 6-14 years) are being coached at Power League Trafford Soccer Dome – like the Theatre of Dreams, in the Trafford Park area of Manchester.

The aim, as on all Manchester United Soccer School courses, is to provide the best coaching available while also helping personal development.

Wayne Watkins is the course manager and he says the sessions are proving hugely popular.

“We have coached all over the world – across Europe, in Asia, Africa and North America – but we’ve not forgotten about our roots,” says Wayne.

“It’s fantastic to be able to coach local kids and the courses have been greatly received. Not only are they well priced, but the enthusiasm of the kids is fantastic to see.

“The courses start at 9am but we have excited kids arriving shortly after 8am kicking a ball around the practice zones. They can’t wait to get started – which is great from our perspective because the more you enjoy playing football the more you’ll learn.”

Courses follow the Manchester United Development Model – which concentrates on five areas: the physical, tactical, technical, mental and social aspects of the game. All of which is coached in a positive learning environment.

At Power League Trafford the youngsters are split into five groups (chosen by age) and work through various areas of the game – all sessions mirroring those coached at the Manchester United Academy for elite young players, ending with small-sided matches.

While the majority of youngsters taking part are from the North West of England, one youngster, Bailey Wright (7) from Lincoln, makes a four-hour round trip with his family to Manchester every Saturday morning.

Bailey’s father, Dean, believes the long journeys are well worth it.

“We come from a long line of United fans – Bailey loves the club, and I do, just like my dad and granddad. My lad has been on the holiday courses before and we were really impressed by the level of coaching,” says Dean. “So when we heard about these courses here in Manchester, we just had to attend.”

The popularity of the courses is growing fast and tomorrow (Sunday 4 April) will see the latest 6-week phase come to an end. After a fortnight’s break, the next six-week course will begin again – on 25 April. And Dean Wright says his family will continue to make the weekly pilgrimage from Lincoln.

“As a fan of the club I’m obviously biased, but I see the progress he makes on these courses,” he says. “He enjoys it so much and from a parent’s perspective the coaches are really approachable, there’s no pressure from the parents [there’s a parental code of conduct] and you see the development of the youngsters not just as footballers but on a personal level. The coaches are of such a high quality – one minute they’re coaching soccer schools, the next working with the club’s elite players. The standard is so high.”

Course manager Wayne reveals that plans are in the pipeline to introduce Sunday sessions at PowerLeague Trafford – which will allow youngsters playing Saturday football to attend. Details will be revealed when confirmed.

It’s the latest coaching methods that are the main appeal of the courses but Wayne stresses that it’s the fun aspect that is so important, adding: “It’s great to be able to coach on our own doorstep and put smiles on the faces of local youngsters. They’re not all United fans – we get kids in City shirts, Liverpool tops, all sorts of clubs – but what they all have in common is that they all go home happy and can’t wait for the next session. It’s great to see.”

For more information or to book a place please on either of these courses contact the centre direct on 0161 755 9720 or email trafforddome@powerleague.co.uk.