The Story So Far

First Academy was founded in 2006 by ex- Arsenal, Norwich and Southend pro Pitshou Ngopwanis, who's promising career came to an end after a serious recurring knee injury. Using his footballing experience which Pitshou had gained over years of playing in professional academies he decided to start coaching.

1.)The Idea Arises....

2.) The journey begins...

With his usual enthusiasm and passion, Pitshou, now working as a gym instructor, started to coach three children aged 10 one of which was his brother. Located in Clitterhouse park, Pitshou would spend a few hours a week helping the boys grow as footballers.

3.) The club grows...

By the summer of 2007 the club had grown and started gaining new faces. The three players quickly became five, which quickly became seven, which quickly became nine and so on and so forth. In fact, by the winter of 2007 the club had grown so much that Pitshou decided to enter the club into the Regents Park and Camden Youth league. In the under 12 age group. First Academy had a hard start to the season however with a lot of skill and determination they managed to guide themselves to a 6th place finish in the league.

The arrival of influential coach Oscar Odoch (former Wigan and Arsenal player) in 2008 enabled the club to grow even further and open more age groups. His arrival was the first of many coaches and in 2011 the club was at a point where it was able to enter 3 age groups into the league. The 2011 season was one of the most successfull yet with the u16 team who were Pitshou's longest serving players winning the league.

4.) A lot of training sessions later...

The 2012/13 season saw 3 age groups entered. The season proved to be succesful with the u14s taking part in a hard debut campaign, and the u16s retaining their league championship. Sadly Pitshou decided to relocate abroad and is now acting as club chairman.

5.) And here we are...

Despite Pitshou’s deperature not much changed in the 13/14 season, who was still involved with the club in the role of chairman. The season saw a perpetuation in the high standards set by First Academy. The U12 team showed signs of improvement both technically, physically and mentally. While the U15 team managed to get to the semi finals of the cup.