FOOTBALL-MAD Robbie Clarkson has netted himself a job with star players of the future.
The former Sunderland College student has started his new post with Premier League Champions Manchester City, as a lead performance analyst of the club’s under-12 and under-14 academy teams.
The role will see the 26-year-old scrutinise games and then give feedback to the players on ways to improve their performance.
Robbie, who also previously worked as a part-time lecturer at Sunderland College, says getting the job is a dream come true.
“I was over the moon when I got the call telling me I had got the job,” he said. “To be working for such a huge football club is fantastic, and I think I’m very fortunate.
“I’ve been involved in football all my life, firstly as a player at Middlesbrough and Sunderland AFC and then as a student at Sunderland College and then later on as a coach and lecturer.
“I’ll be sad to leave the area.”
Robbie signed as a youth player to SAFC but went to Sunderland College to study for a Foundation Degree in Sports and Exercise Development when it looked like his professional football career would not work out.
After completing the final part of his degree at Sunderland University, he began coaching and training other footballers at SAFC alongside his role as a part-time lecturer.
John Rushworth, head of Bede and Headways Sixth Forms, who has known Robbie since he joined the college eight years ago, said: “This is fantastic news for Robbie. I’m really pleased for him.
“He worked incredibly hard at Sunderland College and I’m confident he will be hugely successful in his new role.”
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