Former Football League stars Stephen Swales and Andy Toman launch new Soccer Academy in Whitby

Two former Football League stars are set to launch a new Soccer Academy in Whitby this April.
Andy Toman.Andy Toman.
Andy Toman.

Whitby-born Stephen Swales, who appeared in the professional game for Scarborough, Reading and Hull City, and Whitby Town 1997 FA Vase winner Andy Toman are setting up the X-PRO Soccer School, to encourage the development of young footballers in the town.

Toman, who made over 300 Football League appearances for Lincoln City, Hartlepool United, Darlington, Scunthorpe United and Scarborough, also currently manages Northern League club Bishop Auckland, having taken the job in October 2020.

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The sessions, aimed at both boys and girls aged 5 to 14, will take place on Saturday mornings (9:30am & 10:30am) at Whitby Sixth Form, starting on April 3rd, depending on Government guidelines.

The first session will cost just £1, with subsequent sessions costing £5 until May, before going on to a monthly Direct Debit.

Swales and Toman will also be joined by three younger coaches in Josh Linsley, who has recently signed a scholarship with Scarborough Athletic, Jos Storr, a promising young footballer who played under Jamie Pollock at his then-Polton FC, and Daisy Stokoe, who is currently playing for Middlesbrough Reserves and looking to push on into the first-team.

And the former Seasiders midfielder Toman – who has a strong reputation for developing players, including Norwich City’s Jordan Hugill and numerous Whitby Town players over the years – gave an insight in to what parents and kids can expect.

“We’ll work hard, but it’ll be fun too,” he said.

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“We’ll work on the players and their physique, their all-round game. We’ll get them working on using the weaker side of their body, but we’ll also work on them as people too. They’ll learn, they’ll be fit, they’ll play games and they’ll be in a fun environment.

“In the past, players I’ve worked with have done well. Hugill played in the Premier League, but the likes of Adam Gell, Jamie Poole, Anthony Hume, Mikey Roberts have all gone on to have good careers in non-league, and at Whitby, too. They still hold the beliefs of fitness to this day, and they’re good, well-rounded people.

“I’ve had a good years with Whitby Town and hold the club close to my heart, and Stephen is Whitby born and bred, and we both want the best for young players in the area.”

Parents can find more information on the X-PRO Soccer School through their Facebook page, or by emailing [email protected]