ROSS JOHNSON

ACADEMY DIRECTOR

Ross founded the academy in 2011 as he has a passion to help players develop and succeed in their football careers.

Ross founded the academy in 2011 as he has a passion to help players develop and succeed in their football careers. Ross noticed, through his experience in professional football, that some players needed guidance both on and off the pitch; who were new to the professional game or who had fallen out of the system. The academy has developed overtime and now offers many other courses and choices, but MIFA's moto remains the same "moving forward together."

Ross' experience in professional player development started in 1991 when he was first recruited to (what was) the Football League Apprenticeship programme. Working in the North West hub, Ross trained/educated young players from Manchester United, Manchester City, Burnley, Bolton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic, Blackburn Rovers, Rochdale and Oldham Athletic.

As a former Director in charge of Youth Development at Bury F.C, Ross personally looked over a successful development programme that produced players such as: David Nugent(Middlesbrough), Colin Kazim-Richards(Glasgow Celtic), Dale Stephens(Brighton and Hove Albion) and Nathan Eccleston(England u-17 international) amongst many others.

Ross has three children, the eldest of which Max, used to be a professional football player. Any free time Ross has now is taken up by his youngest son Reggie. He is happy to have his second child, Hannah, working alongside him in the office.

Message from the Director:

Welcome to the Manchester International Football Academy website. I hope you enjoy viewing the exciting range of programmes available to young footballers. MIFA is passionate about creating opportunities for players, to achieve success, on and off the pitch. I look forward to giving you a personal welcome in Manchester at the Salford Sports Village.