Testimonials

WFA is justifiably proud of its reputation with local youngsters and their parents. We are pleased to use the web site to present a handful of the many positive comments that we receive.

If you have a comment to make about WFA, please click here or scroll to the foot of this page to let others know about your experiences.

Harry, Age 7. I Just wanted to take the opportunity to thank Erik and the coaches for all the work and support you've given Harry. He has been with WFA since he was 4 years old and his improvement over that period has been phenomenal – tackling seems to be his trademark but his development in skills, passing and confidence to run a bit with the ball have been a real credit to WFA's coaches.
I'll still see you with Joe sometimes and Harry will continue with WFA after School on a Wednesday at the Grange but I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for the Saturday sessions which he has always particularly enjoyed.
He was quite sad knowing Saturday was his last for the time being (sure he'll back out of season) but he's equally excited to be part of your Wilmslow Town cougars and I'm sure Paulo will help bring out the best in him!



Tom Bachoffner, February 2012

Owen Davies, Age 6. Just wanted to send a note over the thank you and your team at WFA for your support and encourgement of Owen. He has really enjoyed his time during the holidays and at Gorsey Bank, especially the water fights. Whilst he enjoys the football, I think he actually more liked being one of the boys to be honest with you.

Anyway, as I think Barry has let you know, we are moving to Oz. I am in Melbourne already trying to sort things out before they join me early October. Fingers crossed I find something like WFA here although you are quite unique!! Perhaps AFA:-) oh dear

Please pass on my thanks. I wish you, and your team, every success in the future.

Jo Davies, February 2012

Louis , Age 9. I just want to wish you all the best with WFA and the team.
You have an amazing set up and I am sure you will continue on an already successful journey!!
I am off to the states next week ( louie will be joining me in September ) so I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and the rest of the coaches for all the hard work and effort you guys have put into Louie's football development.
He thoroughly enjoys WFA and is enjoying his football with Wilmslow Town.
The nuturing and guidance that WFA also offers is invlauable in a childs development.
If I can be of any help in the future or you want a tie up in America just let me know.
Good luck ....to the best coaches in the business!!

Greg Jackson, January 2012

Linsey, Age 9. Just wanted to say thank you so much for including St Anne's in your first Footie magazine-it's such great profiling for our school.
Everyone is talking about the magazine and all in all it's fantastic-just thought i'd let you know!
Linsey (Sports Co-ordinator)
Linsey Jackson, January 2012

Jack, Age 9. Football Fever looks fantastic. It comes across as very professionally put together with some terrific content for all ages. You and Browny should be very proud of what you've put together. Well done. Cheers John H.
John Hayhurst, January 2012

Sam Pengally, Age 5. Hi Erik, I just wanted to send you a BIG thank you for organising a fantastic afternoon at Macc Town. Samuel has had a full on day of football...training with WFA this morning, got player of the week then onto Macc...He has loved every minute of it and is still buzzing! Living the dream!! See you soon, Rachel

Rachel Pengally, October 2011

Harry, Age 7. Thanks again to WFA and Callum inparticular. Harry had an amazing football party at Wilmslow Prep Sports Hall - we have received many thanks from the mums to as the boys all had a great time too! Harry even took his trophy into show-and-tell yesterday!
Best wishes
Caroline


Caroline Jukes, April 2011

Jack, Age 8. Anyone thinking of sending their kids to WFA for football coaching might like to know that the latest crop of under nine WFA graduates scored thirty five goals (conceding only one) across three teams in one morning. Amazingly it was only their second league game and most importantly they all did it with a smile on their faces!
John Hayhurst, September 2010

Evan, Age 7. Thanks for a brilliant time with WFA. Evan loved the party in fact he thinks he has won the world cup with the little trophy he was presented with!! I will definitely recommend the WFA party to friends.
Mum Clair, July 2010

Louis Johnson, Age 7. Thanks very much to WFA, and Callum especially, for Louis's party. Louis and his friends had a great time and Louis was chuffed to bits with his trophy and smart hoodie!
Catherine Johnson, July 2010

Theo, Age 6. Just to say thank you for Theo's birthday party on Sunday 11th. They all had a great time and Alex was fantastic with them. Theo thinks his trophy and sweatshirt ( which hasn't been off his back) are fab. he felt very special.
Bridget Hill, July 2010

Thomas, Age 6. i love a good water fight
Thomas Calthorpe, June 2010

Heather (Wife), Age 3. I just had to drop you a note to let you know just how much I am enjoying your ladies football training on Thursday evenings. The freedom and empowerment I have experienced since the course started is amazing and such good value for only £5.00. Thursdays used to be a very dull day with not much to look forward to, you know, get home from work, help kids with homework, cook dinner, same old mealtimes etc. etc. But now.....all day I cannot wait until 7 o’clock. I literally cannot concentrate on my work during the day, the clock ticks so slowly, it seems to take forever. But then, at 4.30 I’m released from my torture and I dash home (I can’t believe I have not been caught speeding). Nothing is too much trouble as the countdown to Footy begins. Shin Pads On, Socks On, Shirt On, Tie Hair Back and then finally................she goes out, I put the kids to bed, crack open a tinnie and stick Sky Sports on.........bliss!
Ian Horton (husband), February 2010

Josh, Age 9. Josh loves his football with WFA but not as much as I do! I've just started Chicks & Kicks with all the mums on a Thursday night at Pownall School and I absolutely love it. I've never played football before but I've always wanted to. It's better than any excersice class I've ever been to and the next day I don't know what hurts most...my legs through the football, my tummy through the laughing or my head through the hangover caused by the after match wind down at the Farmers! It's utterly brilliant.
Rachel Ezair, February 2010

Bradley , Age 6. I would just like to say that our whole family absolutely loves WFA. The atmosphere and the standard of coaching on a Saturday morning at Ashdene is fantastic. Brad can't wait to go every week. He is up at 6am, dressed and ready to go. He has made so many new friends and he loves the coaches! We have tried a couple of other football schools in the are but none of them even come close to WFA. Everyone looks so happy and you are made to feel so welcome. Brad used to be so shy but thanks to the lads at WFA he has found the confidence to develop himself as a person and a footballer. Keep up the good work everyone at WFA!
Graham Robson, February 2010

Adam Shaanoun, Age 6. I just came back from football at total fitness and thought I would send a quick email to let you know what a good job your coaches are doing. I am sure you know this more than most, but always nice to hear it I expect.
Tom and Alex were around after the training and are always more than happy to chat to parents. I mentioned to Tom that the smaller boys did less skills training than the older ones and he explained to me he was working on space awareness and he had split the pitch into 2 sides and you had to stay on you own side (I am sure you know what I mean), and that for the younger age group this is a really good skill to have. The passing and other stuff can come later but awareness of space (rather than all the kids chasing the ball all over the pitch) is a great thing to teach this age group. This completely made sense to me and once again I can rest assured knowing that you and your lads are brilliant. This is the great thing about WFA, we can always talk to you, Tom or Alex about anything… football, training, best place for a decent night out, hangover cures, etc.
We absolutely love WFA and all the coaches, keep up the good work!
Heather Shaanoun , February 2010

Alexander, Age 6. We couldn't be happier with both the summer soccer camp and the Saturday sessions. Alexander also loves his Friday session at Lacey Green with WFA. Alexander thinks the coaches are wonderful, he really gets a lot out of the interactions. As Canadians who would usually have their son in hockey from age dot, we've come round to footie thanks to you guys.
Carrie Deverell, October 2009

Joe and Oliver, Age 7. Joe and Oliver love Saturdays so they can go to WFA, they love all the coaches, and they think Erik who runs the football is so funny, they do really enjoy it and they leave every time with a smile on their face, so that says it all. FAB guys keep up the good work xx
Sam Potter, September 2009

Bennett Harris, Age 9. Albions u12's team are doing really well and they all respond to your style Erik - it is a great balance of motivation and encouragement .
You should be proud of the football they are playing .
The parents may take some credit for the attitude but for many it was instilled at an early age on the Saturdays at Ashdene .
Good to watch
Roger
Roger Harris, October 2008

Josh, Age 7. Congratulations on a successfully run summer football facility. Josh loved every session he could attend. Because it was every day it allowed us the flexibility of not having to plan things too rigidly throughout the summer holidays.
Josh also loves attending the Saturday mornings at Ashdene. The coaches are great with the kids - just enough fun but still keeping them in line when needed !!

p.s. you really need to get the good weather pre-booked for next summer though - I have never used my wellies quite so much !!!
Pauline Simpson, September 2008

Max, Age 9. We booked a WFA party for my son two years running! Max had an excellent time at the party. It was very well organized and Tom was excellent with the boys. The facilities at the club house are perfect - just what we want for a group of 10 year old boys!
The party is a good price too – it seems great value when we get to use the club house facilities too.
The kids went home saying that they loved the party and want one of their own!
Thanks again Erik (and to Tom too) and we will see you in the summer at WFA!
Kerry Southerton, July 2008

Jack, Age 6. Jack tries really hard and loves his football. WFA is a fantastic organisation for the kids. All credit to you and your coaches. No more dodgy tackles thanks to you! Lets hope that one day one of those boys runs out at Old Trafford and scores the winning goal.
John Hayhurst, July 2008

Sam, Age 5. Sam started playing in Ashdene's after-school football sessions when he was in Reception Class last year. With no previous football skills, he struggled, but fortunately persevered, as he has continued to excel.
With great coaching skills from Tom, in the first few months, followed by even greater coaching methods and skills introduced by Erik this year, Sam found a new confidence.
This year, so far, I have watched my son's determination and confidence grow and he really gets stuck in now.
Tonight I have proudly watched him play in a new four-a-side game in which he was a star striker! He saw the benefits of team playing too. He had the best match of his little life and was still 'glowing' with the experience right up until it was time for bed!
Thanks WFA - you make a real difference!
Wendy Falk, proud mum of Sam Falk, November 2007

Elliot, Age 7. My son has only recently started attending WFA and has become hooked! He is constantly showing off his new found skills, has fun and enjoys every minute he is there. Erik and the other coaches are well liked and give loads of encouragement and positive feedback to children and parents alike, making everyone really proud!
Amanda May, May 2007

Ian, Age 7. Ian started off at Lacey Green on saturday mornings with Antonakis, after he was spotted playing at school and asked to join. He was soon moved to Ashdene where we met Erik, Andrew, Andy and Tom. They made him feel very welcome- it is such a friendly soccer school and he has made lots of new friends through going. He very rarely misses a Saturday morning and also plays for the City Soccer sixes under the care of Tom on a Friday night, which he loves. He has had the opportunity to play in two tournaments in recent weeks and he really enjoyed this. He also plays on a Monday night for the feeder team to the Mcr City Academy. All this through joining WFA! His confidence and ability are growing all the time due to the encouragement and commitment of all the coaches.
Tony and Marie Finney, August 2006

Charlie, Age 6. Charlie had attended WFA sessions sporadically during previous years however, this year he just can't wait for Saturdays to come around. He is not the most natural footballer around for his age but, WFA ensure that no matter your skill level, all are given an opportunity to develop and have fun all at the same time. There are lots of distractions for kids today but it says much for WFA that they stay top of Charlie's list of things he wants to do.
Stephen Small, August 2006

Alex, Age 7. Our family moved into Wilmslow 3 years ago. Our son, Alex, had been to other football centres, but was shy and never really got into the spirit of the game. We happened to meet Erik Garner, who took time to talk to Alex and invited him down to WFA to participate one Saturday morning.

To say that Alex took to it is an understatement. The football coaches were very attentive and took time to integrate Alex at first and helped him build his confidence within his peer group. Alex has rarely missed a Saturday morning since and took the opportunity to play in tournaments this year. He has also been invited to play at a Manchester City football Club feeder academy where he has now been for nearly a year.

We are so glad that Erik invited Alex to WFA, which has both integrated Alex into the Community, allowed him to participate in a team sport and has grown his self confidence.

David Jackson, July 2006

Matthew, Age 7. Matthew’s confidence and ability grew as a result of attending Wilmslow Football Academy. I think this is due to the friendly atmosphere of the training sessions and the placement of the children into teams of comparable quality and skills. The sessions were relaxed and fun with the required amount of discipline to keep things under control. The children were constantly praised and encouraged under an environment where they were allowed to develop at there own pace. The look of delight on Matthew’s face when at one of the training sessions he was selected as player of the week and I as a parent was very proud of him and I think the reward he received for his efforts certainly spurred him on even more.
Pete Cotton, June 2006

Oliver, Age 8. My son Oliver has been going to WFA since he was 4 years old. From playing on a Saturday morning he got chosen to play at Manchester City Academy. He has tried other football schools but WFA is by far the best. His confidence and playing ability has improved no end. As a result of the coaching at WFA he now plays for Wilmslow Albion. When ever they have a free Saturday he still loves to go and play at the WFA.
Sally Ford, June 2006