Ex-Sunderland and Middlesbrough stars hope to mould new generation of footballers

Budding footballers on Wearside are being given the chance to be coached by former Premiership heroes after they created a training company.
From left to right, Back to Basics founders Kieron Brady, Dean Gordon, Gary Bennett and Julio Arca.From left to right, Back to Basics founders Kieron Brady, Dean Gordon, Gary Bennett and Julio Arca.
From left to right, Back to Basics founders Kieron Brady, Dean Gordon, Gary Bennett and Julio Arca.

Back to Basics, which runs sessions at Castle View Enterprise Park, on Cartwright Road, Sunderland, is run by four former professional footballers.

Among them are ex-Sunderland captain Gary Bennett and Julio Arca, another Black Cats favourite who also played for Middlesbrough in his professional days, and now plays for South Shields in the Northern League.

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Completing the quartet is former Sunderland midfielder Kieron Brady and ex-Middlesbrough defender Dean Gordon.

The former professionals aim to pass on their knowledge and experience to youngsters in the weekly sessions at Castle View.

Brady said: “We believe that in order to create better football players, it is essential to school them in the basics of football.

“The modern, professional game utilises data analysis, and statistics to assist in development.

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“While we accept this offers an important role in the game, we firmly believe that understanding the basics is essential and is integral in the development of young and aspiring players.”

The quartet teamed up to create the company, and the one-hour sessions at Castle View are always attended by at least one of them.

Arca said: “We’re trying to give the children as much of our experience as we can.

“For myself, it’s good. I work in the Sunderland academy coaching the Under-14s, and play for South Shields, but at the same time I’m coaching children with different ability levels at Back to Basics. Sometimes one of us is at the sessions, sometimes it’s two or three, and sometimes it’s all four of us. There will always be at least one of us there.”

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Coaching takes place three times a week, with sessions to suit a wide range of ages.

Back to Basics is also available for corporate days out and private bookings.