7 Elite Academy has expanded its Player Pathway partnership with AFC Liverpool to include the club’s Under-21s side, giving even more youngsters a chance to play senior football.

The grassroots youth football academy currently runs teams for hundreds of boys and girls at Litherland Sports Park, from Pre-Academy level through to Under-18s with AFC Liverpool.

7 Elite Academy also operates coaching programmes, college scholarship courses and international tournaments for thousands of players in the United States, Europe and Africa.

AFC Liverpool, which is based in Crosby, competes in the North-West Counties League and has a  long tradition of handing senior debuts to younger players.

The Under-18s partnership has seen an increasing number of promising youngsters progress into senior football via the club’s first team, including Blackpool striker Josh Miles.

Players also get an opportunity to play in the FA Youth Cup via the Player Pathway Programme, as well as the internationally respected Junior Premier League.

Anthony Godfrey, 7 Elite Academy Director, said: “I am delighted to expand our partnership with AFC Liverpool to include the Under-21s and give even more youngsters an opportunity to play senior football.

“Since we first started working with AFC Liverpool in 2020, there has been a long line of players getting the chance to move from our grassroots teams into the adult game.

“Not only that, but we have seen a lot of players sign professional contracts as a result of joining us. Josh Miles signed a three-year contract with Blackpool just last year.

“We have also taken well over 100 players to the United States to play in some of the world’s best college tournaments, as well as club trials and coach development work.

“It is a natural progression for us to work with AFC Liverpool’s Under-21s side and offer a clear route to senior football for every single grassroots player who trains with us.”

The new partnership will see 7 Elite Academy’s FA and UEFA qualified coaching staff train and operate AFC Liverpool’s Under-21s side in the North-West Development League.

Chris Stirrup, Chairman of AFC Liverpool, said: “We have a great working relationship with the coaches and staff at 7 Elite Academy, so this will benefit everyone at the club.

“By working together at Under-21s level, we can widen the route into senior football for even more players throughout the Liverpool grassroots community.

“We have so much footballing talent in every age group in our city, which means partnerships like this are vital in giving youngsters an opportunity to make the most of their talent.

“We are grateful that the Really Epic Dog Group has been hugely supportive of AFC Liverpool throughout the years and we are very happy to extend this partnership with 7 Elite Academy.”