Top 5 College Soccer Tours in 2027
A Week of Elite Access & Experiences on the inspiresport Inspection Visit
inspiresport’s first Inspection Visit (IV) from the US offered an immersive look into the very heart of English football. From Premier League matchdays to behind-the-scenes access at some of the country’s leading academies. Across an action-packed itinerary, this group experienced first-hand how clubs at every level approach player development, performance planning and long-term success.
What set this IV apart was not simply the caliber of fixtures or facilities visited, but the depth of access throughout. From Academy Directors to Heads of Coach Development and First Team environments, the group engaged directly with the people shaping the future of the professional game.
Premier League Matchday: Setting the Scene at Old Trafford
The visit began in fitting fashion, straight from the plane to a Premier League clash between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford. Experiencing a matchday at one of world football’s most iconic stadiums immediately immersed the group in the intensity and scale of the English game.
Understanding the Youth Development Landscape
The next day shifted the focus to the academy pathway, beginning with live observation of academy fixtures at Stockport County F.C. Watching competitive youth matches in a real development setting allowed the group to assess coaching behaviors, tactical principles and player profiles in action.
That afternoon, Stuart Jones, former Academy Director at Blackburn Rovers and now Leadership & Technical Consultant with inspiresport, delivered an introductory session exploring the structural foundations of youth development in England. His insight into the governance, categorization and operational realities of English academies ensured the group were fully prepared for the elite environments they would enter later in the week.
The day concluded with another Premier League spectacle as Liverpool hosted Manchester City. In keeping with the spirit of the visit, the group embraced two unique perspectives: some travelled to Anfield to experience the atmosphere inside one of football’s most iconic stadiums, while others gathered in Manchester for a group dinner and drinks to watch the game together.
“What a trip, what an experience and what a great group of people to be sharing it with. Growing up in England, this was the kind of trip I could only dream of because you just can’t access places like this. Back home now feeling energized and inspired!”
Elite Category 1 Access: Manchester City & Leicester City
A visit to Manchester City’s City Football Academy offered an up-close look at one of the most advanced performance environments in world football. Touring the facility and observing the integrated nature of the campus provided a powerful example of how infrastructure, philosophy and methodology align at the highest level.
The day continued with a trip to Leicester City’s King Power Performance Centre, where the group were welcomed by senior academy staff for a comprehensive insight into their Category 1 operation.
The program included:
- A detailed presentation from Academy Director Ian Cawley on structuring a performance plan around individual development
- Observations of U18 and Foundation Phase training sessions
- Sessions focused on coach development, player care and transition to the First Team
- An in-depth look at Leicester’s approach to progression
The cohort were able to hear directly from Heads of Department and Lead Coaches, engaging in open discussions around methodology, curriculum design and long-term athlete development. Observing an U21 fixture further contextualized the academy-to-first-team pathway in a live competitive setting.
The level of engagement throughout the day reflected the strong working relationships inspiresport continues to foster with elite clubs, relationships that allow meaningful access rather than surface-level tours.
Finch Farm: Everton’s Academy Performance Model
The following day at Everton’s Finch Farm Training Ground provided another opportunity to explore a Category 1 academy in depth.
In the morning, Academy Manager Carl Darlington delivered a detailed breakdown of Everton’s Academy Performance Plan. Discussions centered on:
- The club’s game model and how it is embedded across age groups
- The integration between academy and first-team methodology
- Strategic planning and key performance indicators
Following the session, the group observed Everton U18’s and Everton Women’s training sessions. This was an opportunity to see first-hand how Everton structure their sessions to align with a defined game model and performance framework.
The day continued exploring Liverpool, taking in the football fan culture of the city before experiencing an Everton match day in the spectacular new Hill Dickinson stadium. This was a memorable matchday experience, giving the group the opportunity to explore Everton’s impressive new home in full flow on a Premier League evening against A.F.C. Bournemouth. It was a fantastic showcase of how stadium development can elevate the supporter experience and reflect a club’s ambition.
“Thank you to all for making the trip so memorable, enjoyable and educational! Big shout out and thank you to all of the inspiresport staff as that is now my third trip with them and each of them has been unique in what I’ve experienced but yet consistent in the highest level of quality.”
Perspective Across the Pyramid: Stockport County
To balance the elite Category 1 experiences, the group visited Stockport County F.C., providing valuable perspective from a Category 3 academy environment at a club that has ambitious plans for the future.
Academy Manager Damien Allen shared the realities of acquiring and developing players within a highly competitive area and embracing the underdog culture being surrounded by some of the most successful clubs in the country. Discussions highlighted innovation, efficiency and the importance of clarity in coaching philosophy, demonstrating that impactful development is not solely dependent on infrastructure, but on alignment and vision. Head of Coaching, Mike Jeffries, also provided valuable insight into coach and player development at the Club.
The visit reinforced a key takeaway from the week: excellence can look different across categories, but strong leadership and defined identity remain universal principles.
A Fitting Finale at the Etihad
The IV concluded in style with hospitality at Manchester City ahead of their Premier League fixture against Fulham. Pre-match insights, premium viewing and post-match discussions provided an elevated matchday experience to round off a week immersed in elite football culture.
A Week of Meaningful Insight
Across five days, the group engaged with multiple Academy Directors and operational leaders. They observed sessions from Foundation Phase to U21 level, analyzed performance plans, explored game models and witnessed Premier League soccer at some of the country’s most iconic venues.
This Inspection Visit demonstrated not only the breadth of inspiresport’s network, but the depth of engagement made possible through strong relationships. The access granted throughout the week enabled genuine learning, professional dialogue and shared insight at every level of the pathway.
It’s our hope that every individual was able to take something away from this trip that adds value to the work they are already doing in the US. We look forward to the next one!
Related posts
