Simon Darcy Clifford is an English football coach and businessman, known for introducing Brazilian training techniques into the UK through his Brazilian Soccer Schools. Clifford has worked in football for over 30 years, from youth to senior squads and from non-league to Premier League teams, with various clubs and individual professional players.[2][3][4]

Currently, Clifford teaches young football players through his coaching company, Integer Football, which is based in Yorkshire, England. He has worked with many young players, including future professionals like Micah Richards, who went on to play in the Premier League and for England’s national team.[5]

Early life and career

Brought up in Loftus in the North Riding of Yorkshire,[6] he moved to Leeds to study at the age of eighteen. It was there that he later started his teaching career in a primary school. He began training the children of the school using techniques derived from Brazilian football. He shortly after began, an after school club that would become the first of a now worldwide chain of soccer schools. In 1997, he borrowed £5000 from a teachers' union to fund a trip to Brazil,[7][8] where he spoke with former Brazilian players including Socrates, and watched Brazilian coaching methods whilst spending time residing at the training ground of São Paulo FC. Having met Brazilian midfielder Juninho during his time at Middlesbrough,[9] Clifford created a syllabus to use for his coaching.[10][11]

Brazilian soccer school and SOCATOTS

In 1997, he started a Brazilian-style soccer school for youngsters in Leeds,[12] teaching Brazilian skills as well as introducing his students to futebol de salão.[13][14] Clifford became the first coach to bring over and popularise futsal in the United Kingdom.[7]

Clifford then started training young footballers with his new methods, preferring to concentrate on improving ball skills and close control and an even greater emphasis on fitness and physical strength.[15]

The Brazilian Soccer Schools have been endorsed by many in football, including Sir Trevor Brooking, Tord Grip and Michael Owen.[16] In 2001 Clifford introduced his pre-school coaching programme SOCATOTS.[17]

Visiting clubs such as Everton F.C., Manchester United F.C., Newcastle United F.C. and West Ham United F.C. in the late 1990s, Clifford aimed to help develop futsal within these clubs, and subsequently English football.[18]

Players such as Micah Richards[19][20] and John Bostock were some of the most successful graduates in the early years. The program is still relevant today with a number of emerging young players in the Premier League/Championship having a background in futebol de salao. These players include Charlie Patino, formerly of Arsenal F.C., Charlie Webster of Chelsea F.C. and Archie Gray who started at Leeds United F.C. - all three captaining the England national team at their respective age groups.[21]

Clifford sold the Brazilian Soccer Schools and SOCATOTS franchise to then Southampton FC chairman Rupert Lowe in 2012.[22]

Career in professional football

Clifford failed to emerge onto the professional scene after being recruited by Sir Clive Woodward in December 2004, to become his assistant coach at Southampton.[23] Woodward met with Clifford before they went into football together to learn from the methods he was using[24] and to look at the work he was doing with the soccer schools.[25][26] After falling out with the coaching establishment at Southampton and leaving his role,[27][28] he returned to his the non-league club he owned, Garforth Town, as manager.[29]

In 2003 Clifford purchased the Northern Counties East Football League club Garforth Town.[30] At the time of the purchase, Clifford expressed the desire to take the club, then at the ninth level of the football pyramid, into the English Football League within twenty years. The club made good progress, gaining two promotions during Clifford's first two full seasons as manager. Within the six years, they managed to reach the EvoStick Premier League - the highest in the clubs' history. Clifford signed several well-known players including: Lee Sharpe,[17] Sócrates[31] and Careca.[32] The club now plays in the Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division.[33][34]

In April 2009, Garforth reached the final of the West Riding County Cup to face Bradford Park Avenue. Garforth won 5-4 on penalties to claim the cup, a trophy which has been held by Leeds United among others.[35] After three seasons of managing Garforth Town, Clifford made the decision to step aside as manager of his club. This was to focus and develop more quickly his SOCATOTS and Brazilian Soccer Schools programmes.

Over the last 30 years, Clifford has worked with Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney, Gareth Bale, Micah Richards and Theo Walcott[36] among others.[37]

Many players have been involved with Clifford's work, including Jay Jay Okocha,[17] Michael Owen and the legendary Brazilian footballer and coach, Zico.[26] Other Brazilian stars Socrates, Rivellino, Jairzinho and World Cup captain Carlos Alberto have also worked with Clifford after their careers as football players.[38][39]

In September 2008, Clifford was approached by a South African consortium looking to purchase Newcastle United Football Club,[40] with the party offering the 38-year-old a role as Technical Director as well as shares in the club.[41] In the same month, he was also approached by Tottenham Hotspur midfielder David Bentley, with the England international asking Clifford to devise an elite training programme and to undertake one-to-one sessions with him. Work commitments, however, saw Clifford turn down the opportunity.

In 2017, Clifford began working with Hayden Evans and Andy Gray within HN Sports agency, and in 2019 moved over with Gray, Evans, and Richard Cresswell to Blue Sky Sports football agency.[42] Clifford has worked with Blue Sky Sports since its inception, in the role of expert elite performance coach, helping to individually mentor players that are signed to the agency. Such players include Archie Gray, Jamie Shackleton, Charlie Cresswell and more.

Integer Football

In 2015, Clifford started his latest and current venture with the inception of Integer Football[43] - an individualised and bespoke one-to-one training programme. This programme looks to work on all parts of the game - technical, physical, tactical and psychological - made up of around 132 components according to Clifford.[44]

Notable players who have graduated from this programme, include Ryan Edmondson (Carlisle United), Archie Gray (Leeds United & England Youth), Harry Leonard (Blackburn Rovers), Kian Spence (Barrow), Harry Gray (Leeds United & England Youth), Will Hugill (Burnley) and George Horbury (Harrogate Town).

Archie Gray has been in all of Clifford's programs and began at Socatots aged one, actually being carried into the session; his very first coach was Clifford's wife who coached at Socatots at the time. Gray worked all the way through the stages of Brazilian Soccer Schools, and has been working with Clifford directly since 2014 and individually since 2016. In September 2024, Simon and Integer Football featured in a Sky Sports documentary on Gray; Simon was interviewed regarding his work with Archie and Gray's development. [45]

Recent notable successes for Integer Football graduates include: Archie Gray becoming the youngest Leeds United player to reach 50 appearances,[46] Ryan Edmondson winning the A-League in his debut season in Australia[47] and Kian Spence was named Barrow's Young Player of the Season.[48]

Notable graduates

Notable players that have graduated from Simon Clifford's BSS system and syllabus include Micah Richards (ex-Manchester City and England defender),[49][50] John Farnworth (British Football Freestyler),[51] Ryan Edmondson (Central Coast Mariners), Stanley Mills (Oxford United) Ryan Fraser (Southampton and Scotland), Renny Smith (Oxford City), Harry Leonard (Blackburn Rovers FC), Archie Gray (Tottenham Hotspur), Robbie Gotts (Barrow AFC), Charlie Webster (Burton Albion), Liam Kitching (Coventry City) and Oli McBurnie (Las Palmas).[citation needed]

Notable coaches have also graduated from Simon Clifford's system, including: John Herdman (Toronto FC),[52] Michael Beale (Former assistant coach at Al-Ettifaq), Beverly Priestman (Former manager of Canada Women's National Team),[52] Kristian Wilson (Assistant coach at Genoa CFC), and Pete Sturgess (FIFA Futsal Instructor and ex-England Futsal National Team manager).

Work in TV, film and media

Clifford has been involved in a number of TV and film productions, working with directors and actors in various roles.[53]

He worked as Technical Coach for the two lead actresses of Bend It Like Beckham, Keira Knightley and Parminder Nagra.[54] Clifford also performed the same role in the film There's Only One Jimmy Grimble with Robert Carlyle and Ray Winstone,[55] as well as more recently on Kicking and Screaming with Will Ferrell. He choreographed, coached and advised on the film The Damned United, starring Michael Sheen.[56][57]

More recently, Clifford was choreographer and coach for Julian Fellowes' Netflix series The English Game.[58]

Clifford has also worked on his own TV documentaries, DVD's and books, individually and in collaboration with others. Such work includes Learn to Play the Brazilian Way,[59] Soccer Superskills With Jay-Jay Okocha, Michael Owen's Soccer Skills, Soccer Super Skills, A Whole New Ball Game (BBC) and Boys To Brazil (BBC).

Other work

In May 2011, Clifford was made an official Yorkshire Patron for his work promoting the region around the world.[60]

References

  1. ^ "Youth Development: Making a Splash". FourFourTwo. Haymarket Media. September 2007. Archived from the original on 7 September 2008. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
  2. ^ Broadbent, Rick (31 July 2023). "Children are in a league of their own, and that's just where they should stay". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Secrets of Samba football". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 23 April 1999. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
  4. ^ "Making the next Cristiano Ronaldo: meet the man with a masterplan to create the ultimate footballer". inews.co.uk. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  5. ^ Wilson, Jeremy (14 November 2006). "Richards set for England debut after taking the Brazilian route". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
  6. ^ [Yorkshire Evening Post : Football guru to promote Yorkshire tourism]
  7. ^ a b "Clifford: why winning would have put us back years". The Independent. 22 June 2002. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  8. ^ Broadbent, Rick (31 July 2023). "Revolution stems from tackling the two footed issue". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  9. ^ Brewin, Joe (31 January 2022). "Roberto Carlos to Sunday League? See also: the amazing story of Socrates at Garforth Town..." fourfourtwo.com. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  10. ^ Broadbent, Rick (28 November 2007). "Brazilian factory where child labour enhances national pride". London: Times. Archived from the original on 20 July 2008. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
  11. ^ "Teacher finds Brazil's soccer secret in the slums". Independent.co.uk. 1 February 1998. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  12. ^ "Midfield is place for Micah Richards, says coach". www.telegraph.co.uk. 22 August 2007. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  13. ^ "Futsal, not beach football, is the key to Brazil's style". ESPN.com. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  14. ^ Broadbent, Rick (20 March 2006). "Clifford finds his way again". London: Goal.com. Archived from the original on 24 May 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  15. ^ Bellos, Alex (31 July 2023). "Kick starter". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  16. ^ Broadbent, Rick (31 July 2023). "Why should I get paid for doing something I love?". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  17. ^ a b c Live, Teesside (7 October 2004). "He's Brazil nuts!". TeessideLive. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  18. ^ Hart, Simon (3 February 2022). "How Futsal's 'hothouse laboratory' honed the skills of Arsenal wonderkid Charlie Patino". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
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  21. ^ "How Futsal's 'hothouse laboratory' honed the skills of Arsenal wonderkid Charlie Patino". 3 February 2022.
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  25. ^ "Winning games and influencing players". The Times. 31 July 2023. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  26. ^ a b Broadbent, Rick (18 November 2004). "Woodward eager to learn from glimpse of future" – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  27. ^ "Clifford exit blow for Woodward". www.telegraph.co.uk. 16 November 2005. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  28. ^ Broadbent, Rick (16 November 2005). "Woodward's right hand man quits Southampton" – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  29. ^ "Coach Clifford leaves Southampton". 15 November 2005. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  30. ^ "Simon Clifford's Non League Journey". Non League Yorkshire. 17 July 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  31. ^ "Greatest of all time: Brazil's best footballers". The Times. 31 July 2023. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  32. ^ "Garforth chairman pays tribute to Brazil legend Socrates". BBC News. 4 December 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  33. ^ "Brazilian star joins non-leaguers". BBC. 11 March 2005. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
  34. ^ "Samba stars to join Garforth Town". BBC. 27 October 2004. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
  35. ^ "Cup final shoot-out agony for Avenue". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 8 April 2009. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  36. ^ "From primary school to the Premiership in six years". The Times. 1 August 2023. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
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  38. ^ Grayson, James (17 July 2020). "Simon Clifford's Non League Journey". Non League Yorkshire. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  39. ^ Brewin, Joe (31 January 2022). "Roberto Carlos to Sunday League? See also: the amazing story of Socrates at Garforth Town..." fourfourtwo.com. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
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  41. ^ "Clifford's Newcastle Move Revealed | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  42. ^ "Our Team". Expert Representation for Professional Footballers | Blue Sky Sports Football Agents. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  43. ^ "Integer". Integer. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  44. ^ Hart, Simon (12 June 2020). "Meet the man with a masterplan to create the ultimate footballer". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  45. ^ ""Like Zinedine Zidane" | Archie Gray's family and coaches tell his story | Next up ✨". YouTube. 12 September 2024.
  46. ^ "Leeds United to make family and club history with Wembley play-off final appearance". 22 May 2024.
  47. ^ "Central Coast Mariners crowned A-League Men's premiers after 2-0 win over Adelaide". The Guardian. May 2024.
  48. ^ https://x.com/BarrowAFC/status/1784293171511390640 [bare URL]
  49. ^ Kay, Oliver (31 July 2023). "Richards has athleticism to be centre of attention for England". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  50. ^ Winter, Henry (13 September 2005). "Micah Richards' fire gives fans warm feeling". London: Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 22 April 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
  51. ^ "Keeping uppie with Freestyling World Champ". BBC. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
  52. ^ a b "Clifford: Herdman was bright, inquisitive and a great communicator". FIFA. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  53. ^ "Simon Clifford". BFI. Archived from the original on 21 July 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  54. ^ "Interview – Parminder Nagra". BBC. Retrieved 27 August 2007.
  55. ^ "Football Choreographer Simon Clifford Talks to 90min About 20 Years of Working on Films Like Bend it Like Beckham". 90min.com. 2 May 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  56. ^ "The Damned United EXCLUSIVE: Simon Clifford on doing Brian Clough justice". Goal.com. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
  57. ^ Broadbent, Rick (6 July 2023). "How big screen brought Brian Clough back to life in new film, The Damned United". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  58. ^ "Football Choreographer Simon Clifford Talks to 90min About 20 Years of Working on Films Like Bend it Like Beckham". 90min.com. 2 May 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  59. ^ "Buylines". The Times. 31 July 2023. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  60. ^ Eaves, Krysta (25 April 2011). "Simon's special honour". TeessideLive. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
Allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Clifford
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