Kids go with the Flo

Shakila Barabhuiya • Published 5 Aug 2010 15:35 0 Comments

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AN ex-Premiership footballer is confident of unearthing a superstar of the future after unveiling a brand new coaching academy for youngsters.

Former Chelsea striker Tore Andre Flo has teamed up with experienced academy coach Sean Faulkner to create an academy with a difference.

Unlike other academies named after former professionals, the Tore Andre Flo Academy will see Flo taking a hands-on approach and imparting his knowledge of playing at the highest level.

Flo, 37, shot to stardom when he joined Chelsea in 1997, winning the FA Cup, Cup Winners' Cup and League Cup, scoring 50 goals in the process.

During his 17-year career the Norwegian has played at Rangers, Sunderland, Leeds and, until May last year, MK Dons, where he was re-united with former team-mate Roberto Di Matteo.

The giant striker, who lives in Ascot, struck up a friendship with Faulkner three years ago when his two sons Isak, eight, and Johan, 11, attended a soccer school.

The father-of-five, who has always been interested in coaching, was so impressed with Faulkner's philosophy that he suggested they work in partnership to set up an academy.

Flo and Faulkner successfully launched their first three-day soccer school at Edgbarrow Sports Centre last Thursday with up to 60 children turning up.

Faulkner has coached at various levels for 14 years and has run his own soccer school for six. He has also travelled to Real Madrid, Panathanaikos and Santos to discover new coaching techniques, which he hopes to use in the new set-up.

He feels that with Flo's help, they can produce more skilful youngsters with plenty of flair.

He said: "First and foremost he's a nice guy and wants to give something back to the game.

"We've both got the same vision and beliefs - we want to produce more entertaining players for the country.

"We're all about technique and trying to put the foundations down before putting on the roof. But we want to have lots of fun as well."

Flo added: "We want to see them go past players and create things on their own and not just kick and run."

Faulkner, who is an ex-Chelsea scout, has been impressed with Flo's input to the academy.

He said: "He's great with the children and obviously he's experienced at the top level having been coached by (Gianluca) Vialli, (Ruud) Gullit, (Claudio) Ranieri and (Dick) Advocaat."

Flo's top-flight experience was put to good use last Thursday, when he demonstrated his goal for Norway in the 2-1 win over Brazil in the 1998 World Cup.

The children re-created it themselves afterwards with Flo commenting: "We had great success and we had some great celebrations this morning."

Talking about why he likes coaching youngsters, the former Blue said: "I really like their enthusiasm.

"When they enjoy it, it makes me feel good as well. They're good to coach because they really want to become better.

"I really look forward to seeing all the talent in the area. Before you know it there's a superstar from Bracknell or Ascot."

The striker hopes to take his UEFA B licence this summer and is considering a future move into management. He added: "Maybe someday I could coach a professional team. It's not in my mind yet but it might be someday."

Flo finally hung up his boots last summer and is now concentrating on football nearer to home.

His sons play for Ascot United juniors and he turns out for the veterans occasionally.

His family moved to Ascot when he joined Chelsea in 1997 and they have now settled there permanently.

"We fell in love with the area," he remarked. "We like to be outside.

"There are a lot of nice areas where we go running and there are woods and forests and the Look Out. And we go to Ascot racecourse.

"There are a lot of nice areas and nice people."

Flo has three boys - Johan, Isak and Elias (2) - and two daughters - Dorthea (9) and Luna (1) - with the older three all being schooled in Winkfield Row.

The 37-year-old is pleased to be based locally, declaring: "It's so nice that it's local. I don't like the commute so I wanted to do something in the area within football.

"I miss playing football everyday. Because my dream was to be a professional footballer and I did it for many years and loved every minute of it so it's hard to not do it.

"So I thought this must be the next best thing and I can still be on the training ground."

COURSES at the new Tore Andre Flo Academy Training Centre begin at Bracknell Hockey club on Monday, September 13.

Flo will be taking the training sessions for boys and girls aged 7-16.

For more information visit www.toreandrefloacademy.com or phone 07793 604649.

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