FCV Academy is founded by Graham Starmer and Peter Mallinger as the UK’s first private football academy in 2007. The academy is a product of the huge popularity of Football105’s CV-based player database that helps current and aspiring footballers make an on-field career.
Then-Aston Villa and England winger Ashley Young opened FCV Academy’s doors for the first time at Nene Park in Irthlingborough.
FCV Academy win their first regional cup.
FCV Academy relocate from Irthlingborough to another Northamptonshire town, Corby, and then to the historic English town of Stamford, Lincolnshire.
Students are exposed to the expertise of established football coaches such as Gus Poyet and Gordon Strachan, who deliver guest training sessions at FCV Academy.
Trial days are organised at locations such as King Power Stadium (Leicester City), Goodison Park (Everton), Stamford Bridge (Chelsea), St James Park (Newcastle United), Upton Park (West Ham United), giving FCV Academy students the opportunity to play at a professional football stadiums in front of club scouts.
Colin Calderwood (now Southampton first team coach) leads a session at FCV Academy, later becoming head coach at the Northampton Town International Football Academy.
Global partnerships with FCV Academy are blossoming as the Stamford outfit joins forces with organisations in countries such as Australia, Hong Kong, India, Nigeria, Sweden, and Tanzania.
FCV Academy coaches deliver training sessions to footballers in countries such as the India, Australia, Caribbean, Hong Kong, Lithuania, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe, as the academy’s teams continue to win regional silverware back home.
A new, purpose-built study area opens at FCV Academy’s home, The Garden House in Stamford, to enable students to productively work independently and in groups.
Starmer brings new investment to FCV Academy to help the organisation grow coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Capelli Sport replaces Joma as FCV Academy’s official kit supplier; a partnership that sees players gain exciting opportunities like taking part in the Capelli Sport Cup in Denmark.
FCV Academy students test themselves against Northampton Town’s youth players as part of the newly founded NTFC International Football Academy – a partnership between Football105 and Northampton Town Football Club.
Starmer and his team visit Grace Dieu, Leicestershire, for the first time with the view of purchasing the 66-acre land once owned by a former private school to continue FCV Academy’s growth.
Former FCV Academy student Manny Oyeleke plays for Chesterfield against Chelsea – then-reigning European champions – in the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge.
FCV Academy’s continuing partnership with the League Managers’ Association sees the likes of Kit Symons, Kevin Blackwell, and Terry Connor delivering Premier League training sessions with current players.
With the purchase of the Grace Dieu estate complete, work gets under way at Grace Dieu to create an outstanding football facility where players can live, study, and develop their football.
FCV Academy’s new home is renamed to Grace Dieu Manor Park and welcomes its first students.
With the relocation complete, Starmer sells his remaining shareholding in the FCV Academy, completing a personal 15-year project, and begins sharing his knowledge and expertise with football organisations around the world.
