Alumni

Academy youngsters who leave the club can count on the support of an ever-growing aftercare programme as part of their relationship with MFC.

Throughout its existence, our Academy has developed exhaustive measures to support former players, ranging from checking in with a simple text message, to helping securing university places or a new professional or grassroots club.

The MFC Alumni Programme is designed to further track and support those who have been part of the Academy set-up and departed in years gone by.

The scheme is led by the player care team which includes former Boro professionals Craig Liddle (Academy Manager) and Neil Maddison (Player Care Manager).

This team have studied the ways in which alumni programmes work at various other clubs, as well as universities and colleges, and are putting together first-class structures in place to ensure the prosperity of ex-MFC youngsters.

The Academy already possesses an extensive database which helps keep in contact with past players, while an alumni newsletter will be distributed to the players and their parents detailing latest developments and how to make use of the support on offer.

When a player does leave, the Academy and all relevant staff have an 'exit strategy' laid out to aid individuals with the next stage of their life – whether that is continuing in football or pursuing another profession. Either way, wide-ranging resources and contacts can be tapped into.

Indeed, a number of graduates now work within the Academy in various roles, such as Paul Crager (U21s Assistant Coach), Chris Pennock (Head of Academy Coaching), Martin Carter (Head of Academy Recruitment) and several others.

Case Studies

Dael Fry

Dael began his Academy journey at the age of nine, left the programme at 10 before returning aged 11. He made his first team debut for Boro in August 2015 as a 17-year-old, in the opening match of the season at Preston North End, a season that would end in promotion to the Premier League. He has since made over 200 appearances for his hometown club. Dael represented England’s youth teams from Under-17 to Under-21, and was part of teams that won the 2017 U20 World Cup and the 2018 Toulon Tournament.

Andrew Wilson

Andrew joined Boro as an Under-13. He was part of the Under-14 National Cup winners, and represted the Academy in the Northern Ireland Milk Cup and the Atetis Cup in Lithuania. After leaving the club in 2021, Andrew is about to commence his final year as a Physiotherapy student at York St John University. The course was largely funded by the PFA. Andrew achieved the highest score in his anatomy exam, over 80%. Andrew has taken part in several work placements within the club’s medical department.

Hayden Hackney

Born in Redcar, Hayden joined the Boro Academy at Under-10 level. In November 2018, Hayden scored the winner against Burton Albion to give us our first-ever win in the Checkatrade (Football League) Trophy, and the midfielder made his senior debut when he started our FA Cup third-round match against Brentford in January 2021. Now a regular member of the match-day squad, Hayden netted his first Boro goal, a right-footed strike from outside the area, in a 4-1 victory at Wigan Athletic. He extended his Boro stay with a new contract in summer 2023.

Harry Flatters

A goalkeeper, Harry was a scholar with Boro from 2018 to 2020. He achieved a Distinction grade in his BTEC Level 3 Extended National Diploma in Performance and Excellence as well as FA Level 2 Football Coaching Qualification and Level 3 NVQ in Performance and Excellence. After spells with York City and Spennymoor Town whilst working as a garden landscaper, Harry is now studying at York St John University in BSc Sport and Exercise Science, with plans for a career as a strength and conditioning coach.