Mike McGlynn joins football academy

Mike McGlynn and students

Former Liverpool, Bolton and current Wolves scout Mike McGlynn has joined Hopwood Hall College as part of their Football Academy teaching staff.

The seasoned professional will play a key role in the development of the college’s already successful football teams both practically the field and academically. In his career he has worked from grassroots football all the way up to working under Rafael Benitez, Kenny Dalglish and Brendan Rodgers.

He said: “I have worked with staff and players at the very top level at football, but everything starts at the grassroots level and I believe that it’s important to ensure young players are taught the right mind set and disciplines as well as the actual techniques and skills of the game.”

“The top level can be a very insular experience, I’m quite big on being more of a mentor than an instructor so it’s very important to me coming to Hopwood Hall and putting something back into the players at grassroots.”

“However, it isn’t all about trying to be the next Steven Gerrard. The college and I are big believers in developing the students as people and not just academics. There are so many employment opportunities in sport that young adults don’t realise, so helping them grow into good citizens and preparing them for the professional working world is a big focus of their education.”

The college’s first football team is currently unbeaten at the top of their league, looking to defend its status as champions.