Joe Hamilton

Not only will you see a big improvement as a learner and a footballer, the Academy can offer many different opportunities and pathways for you to pursue. It is without a doubt the best environment for any footballer to flourish and excel in.

Joe chose to study at Lancaster & Morecambe College over other colleges in the region due to the high standard of the Football Academy, after playing for Morecambe FC Development Centre for most of his life, and knowing that being apart of the Football Academy at LMC would ensure close links to the football club.

The opportunities offered to students who train in the Football Academy was the main thing that drew Joe’s attention to the Level 3 Sport course, including the international trips abroad to countries such as Croatia and Spain, or links to Lancashire County Trials and international universities.

“I was able to take advantage of the many different pathways that the Football Academy offered, including gaining multiple Morecambe FC Youth Team and Reserve Team appearances due to the College’s close connection with MFC. Here I was able to gain exposure and recognition.”

Joe made sure he grabbed every opportunity with both hands during his time at LMC, which led him to represent the county with Lancashire FA and Lancashire School Boys, for which he later received a commemorative cap for 10+ appearances for Lancashire FA.

“Although I never made the English Schools' Football Association team, I was extremely proud to be able to reach the third round of trials and gain invaluable experience at a national level.”

“I recognise that this would never have been possible without LMC, the Football Academy allowed me to live out my wildest childhood dreams.”

The Football Academy is partnered with SoccerSmart, allowing learners to play football at higher level whilst studying at universities in North America. The coaches at LMC supported Joe in his applications, and he now studies Kinesiology at University of New Brunswick in Canada. 

“What I learnt while studying Level 3 Sport proved to be extremely useful and transferable for my degree in Kinesiology; not only the content and theory that I was taught, but also how to become a successful independent learner and excel in a university environment.”

Joe boasts that his success would not be possible without the support provided to him at College and within the Football Academy. His advice to any students looking to continue training and studying in further education is to consider Lancaster and Morecambe College:

“Not only will you see a big improvement as a learner and a footballer, the Academy can offer many different opportunities and pathways for you to pursue. It is without a doubt the best environment for any footballer to flourish and excel in.”

“I only have good things to say about my time in the Academy, they unlocked so many doors for me and truly changed my life.”