Behind Go Football Academy…

I’m Farhan, the Founder and Head Coach of Go Football Academy. 

From a young age, I have always enjoyed sport, with football being my main sport whether playing, coaching or refereeing. 

My professional career started at 16 where I got my first experiences as a coach during my PE GCSE. It was during my time in A Level PE that I knew I wanted to pursue a career in sport and football was always the avenue that I naturally followed…

My journey.

During my first year of university, I focussed on gaining exposure to as much work experience and sports science disciplines such as physiotherapy, psychology and biomechanics both in real-life situations and research. I’ve invested a lot of time in these areas as I believe in looking at sports science with a holistic approach, which gives me a great foundation to build Go Football Academy. 

Here’s a photo of Robert Huth and myself, after a conference at my university in 2018.

Stoke City Football Club

In my second year, based on my academic achievements and extracurricular activities, I was selected for a highly competitive internship at Stoke City Football Club, where I was an Academy Match Analyst Intern working with the U9-U14s. I thoroughly enjoyed working in an elite environment using world-class facilities where I was able to put my academic knowledge to good use. This early experience of working in youth football has been influential in my decision to start Go Football Academy and provide elite level coaching to non-elite players. 

Everton Football Club

During my third year, I gained my next internship with my first Premier League club Everton Football Club, as a General Sports Science Assistant. Having already had a year's worth of experience in Performance Analysis, I wanted to gain experience in the physical side of the game and to complement my Performance Analysis side. Hence, I decided to work with the Strength and Conditioning team with Nick Coleman and John McKeown where I shadowed, assisted and delivered Strength and Conditioning for the U14-U16s. Namely, I was also fortunate enough to work under ex- Everton and Premier League Legends Leighton Baines and David Unsworth. 

Liverpool Football Club

Having achieved a 2:1 honours in my undergraduate degree in a disrupted year, I progressed onto my postgraduate degree where I studied my Master’s in Strength and Conditioning. I gained my placement with Liverpool Football Club Women’s Academy. 

Here, I designed, implemented and analysed my Scientific research study: “The interrelationship between repeated sprint ability and physical performance parameters using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in elite women’s youth soccer”. Whilst carrying out my research, I led the U14s and assisted with the U16s and U21s Strength and Conditioning Programs during the 2022/23 pre-season under the supervision of Lead Physical Performance Coach, Dr Stephen McQuilliam.

Present.

Alongside Go Football Academy, I’m a goalkeeper Head Coach at Luton, St Albans and Welwyn for the nation’s leading provider of goalkeeper training.

I also volunteer at my local club Leighton Town Football Club, where I am a Strength and Conditioning Coach and Goalkeeper Coach with the Development team, U18s and U16s.

Here's a photo of a night coaching for a Skysports documentary, David James: 'The One And Only'.

My 2022 Qatar World Cup Experience

  • 2022 World Cup Lusail Stadium

    Lusail Stadium

    2022 World Cup Final stadium

  • World Cup Del Piero

    Del Piero YouTube Video

    YouTube video with World Cup winner and semi-final goalscorer Alessandro Del Piero - who complimented my goalkeeping ability (he scored a hat-trick against me though

    Filmed with Shoot for Love

  • 2022 World Cup Iran vs USA

    Iran 0-1 USA - Al Thumama Stadium

    Never experienced a game so noisy before, constant noise from start to finish. Iran fans were the loudest I experienced all tournament!

  • 2022 World Cup Germany Vs Costa Rica

    Germany 4-2 Costa Rica - Al Bayt Stadium

    The biggest (60k) and my favourite stadium I experienced at the 2022 World Cup. Fitting that it was the best match I went to!

  • 2022 World Cup Al Bayt Stadium

    Al Bayt Stadium

    My favourite stadium based on aesthetics both inside and outside!

  • 2022 World Cup Al Bayt Stadium

    Al Bayt Stadium

    If I didn’t tell you this was inside a football stadium, what do you think it would be?

  • 2022 World Cup Portugal Vs South Korea

    South Korea 2-1 Portugal

    Not many people can say they got to see the second greatest player of all time, but I can ;)

    This was the most intense game with a last minute winner

  • Souq Waqif

    Souq Waqif

    Away from football and the modernised stadiums, Qatar had some really historic parts to it too.

  • The Pearl Harbour Qatar

    The Pearl Harbour

    Me and my dad at The Pearl Harbour

Watch me play (and make some half decent saves) against one of the best strikers to play the game as part of a YouTube challenge at the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup