Simon Clifford

Early life and career

Brought up in Loftus in the North Riding of Yorkshire, he moved to Leeds to study at the age of eighteen. It was there that he later started his teaching career in a primary school. He began training the children of the school using techniques derived from Brazilian football. Shortly after, he began an after school club that would become the first of a now worldwide chain of soccer schools. In 1997, he borrowed £5000 from a teachers' union to fund a trip to Brazil, where he spoke with former Brazilian players, and watched Brazilian coaching methods whilst spending time residing at the training ground of São Paulo FC. Having held discussions with Brazilian midfielder and friend Juninho during his time at Middlesbrough, Clifford created a syllabus to use for his coaching.

Brazilian soccer school and SOCATOTS

In 1997, he started a Brazilian-style soccer school for youngsters in Leeds, teaching Brazilian skills as well as introducing his students to futebol de salão. Clifford became the first coach to bring over and popularise futsal in the United Kingdom. Clifford then started training young footballers with his new methods, preferring to concentrate on improving ball skills and close control and an even greater emphasis on fitness and physical strength.

The Brazilian Soccer Schools have been endorsed by many in football, including Sir Trevor Brooking, Tord Grip and Michael Owen. In 2001 Clifford introduced his pre-school coaching programme SOCATOTS. Visiting clubs such as Everton F.C., Manchester United F.C., Newcastle United F.C. and West Ham United F.C. in the late 1990s, Clifford aimed to help develop futsal within these clubs, and subsequently English football.

Players such as Micah Richards and John Bostock were some of the most successful graduates in the early years. A number of young players today have a background in futebol de salao, including Charlie Patino, Charlie Webster and Archie Gray, with all three captaining the England national team at their respective age groups. Clifford sold the Brazilian Soccer Schools and SOCATOTS franchise to then Southampton FC chairman Rupert Lowe in 2012.

Career in professional football

Clifford entered the professional scene when recruited by Sir Clive Woodward in December 2004, with the long term plan being to become his assistant coach at Southampton. Woodward met with Clifford before they went into football together to learn from the methods he was using and to look at the work he was doing with the soccer schools. Clifford was appointed Head of Sport Science and head coach of the U21s, working with a crop of youth team players that included Gareth Bale, Nathan Dwyer, Theo Walcott and more. After falling out with the coaching establishment at Southampton and leaving his role, he returned to the non-league club he owned, Garforth Town, as manager.

In 2003 Clifford purchased the Northern Counties East Football League club Garforth Town. At the time of the purchase, Clifford expressed the desire to take the club, then at the ninth level of the football pyramid, into the English Football League within twenty years. The club gained two promotions during Clifford's first two full seasons as manager. Within the six years, they managed to reach the EvoStik Premier League - the highest level in the clubs' history. Clifford signed several well-known players including: Lee Sharpe, Sócrates and Careca.

In April 2009, Garforth reached the final of the West Riding County Cup to face Bradford Park Avenue. Garforth won 5-4 on penalties to claim the cup. After three seasons of managing Garforth Town, Clifford made the decision to step aside as manager of his club.

In September 2008, Clifford was approached by a South African consortium looking to purchase Newcastle United Football Club, with the party offering the 38-year-old a role as Technical Director as well as shares in the club.

In 2017, Clifford began working within HN Sports agency, and in 2019 moved over to Blue Sky Sports football agency. Clifford has worked with Blue Sky Sports since its inception, in the role of elite performance coach.

Integer Football

In 2015, Clifford started his latest venture with the creation of Integer Football - a one-to-one training programme.

In September 2024, Simon and Integer Football featured in a Sky Sports documentary on Archie Gray; Simon was interviewed regarding his work with Archie, and Gray's development.

Recent notable successes for Integer Football graduates include: Archie Gray becoming the youngest Leeds United player to reach 50 appearances, Ryan Edmondson winning the A-League in his debut season in Australia and Kian Spence being named Barrow's Young Player of the Season.

Notable graduates

Notable players that have graduated from Simon Clifford's BSS system and syllabus include Micah Richards (ex-Manchester City and England defender),{{cite news|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/england/2320598/Micah-Richards-fire-gives-fans-warm-feeling.html |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130422084006/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/england/2320598/Micah-Richards-fire-gives-fans-warm-feeling.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= 22 April 2013

Notable coaches have also graduated from Simon Clifford's system, including: John Herdman (Toronto FC), Michael Beale (Former assistant coach at Al-Ettifaq) and Beverly Priestman (Former manager of Canada Women's National Team),

Work in TV, film and media

Clifford has been involved in a number of TV and film productions, working with directors and actors in various roles. He worked as Technical Coach for the two lead actresses of Bend It Like Beckham, Keira Knightley and Parminder Nagra. Clifford also performed the same role in the film There's Only One Jimmy Grimble with Robert Carlyle and Ray Winstone, as well as more recently on Kicking and Screaming with Will Ferrell. He choreographed, coached and advised on the film The Damned United, starring Michael Sheen.

More recently, Clifford was choreographer and coach for Julian Fellowes' Netflix series The English Game.

Clifford has also worked on his own TV documentaries, DVDs and books, individually and in collaboration with others. Such work includes Learn to Play the Brazilian Way, Soccer Superskills With Jay-Jay Okocha, Michael Owen's Soccer Skills, Soccer Super Skills, A Whole New Ball Game (BBC) and Boys To Brazil (BBC).

Other work

In May 2011, Clifford was made an official Yorkshire Patron for his work promoting the region around the world.

References

References

1. (September 2007). "Youth Development: Making a Splash". Haymarket Media.
2. Broadbent, Rick. (2023-07-31). "Children are in a league of their own, and that's just where they should stay". [[The Times]].
3. (23 April 1999). "Secrets of Samba football". British Broadcasting Corporation.
4. (12 June 2020). "Making the next Cristiano Ronaldo: meet the man with a masterplan to create the ultimate footballer".
5. Wilson, Jeremy. (2006-11-14). "Richards set for England debut after taking the Brazilian route". The Guardian.
6. (12 September 2024). ""Like Zinedine Zidane" | Archie Gray's family and coaches tell his story | Next up ✨".
7. [Yorkshire Evening Post : Football guru to promote Yorkshire tourism]
8. (2002-06-22). "Clifford: why winning would have put us back years".
9. Broadbent, Rick. (2023-07-31). "Revolution stems from tackling the two footed issue". [[The Times]].
10. Brewin, Joe. (2022-01-31). "Roberto Carlos to Sunday League? See also: the amazing story of Socrates at Garforth Town...".
11. Broadbent, Rick. (28 November 2007). "Brazilian factory where child labour enhances national pride". Times.
12. (1 February 1998). "Teacher finds Brazil's soccer secret in the slums".
13. (22 August 2007). "Midfield is place for Micah Richards, says coach".
14. (2014-05-30). "Futsal, not beach football, is the key to Brazil's style".
15. Broadbent, Rick. (20 March 2006). "Clifford finds his way again". Goal.com.
16. Bellos, Alex. (2023-07-31). "Kick starter". [[The Times]].
17. Broadbent, Rick. (2023-07-31). "Why should I get paid for doing something I love?". [[The Times]].
18. Live, Teesside. (2004-10-07). "He's Brazil nuts!".
19. Hart, Simon. (2022-02-03). "How Futsal's 'hothouse laboratory' honed the skills of Arsenal wonderkid Charlie Patino".
20. (2023-07-31). "Clifford finds his way again". [[The Times]].
21. Broadbent, Rick. (2023-07-31). "Richards to reap reward for chasing his dream". [[The Times]].
22. (3 February 2022). "How Futsal's 'hothouse laboratory' honed the skills of Arsenal wonderkid Charlie Patino".
23. (2012-12-17). "Rupert Lowe makes football return".
24. (2023-07-31). "Football in Brief". [[The Times]].
25. (2023-07-31). "Woodward eager to learn from glimpse of future". [[The Times]].
26. (2023-07-31). "Winning games and influencing players". [[The Times]].
27. Broadbent, Rick. (18 November 2004). "Woodward eager to learn from glimpse of future".
28. (16 November 2005). "Clifford exit blow for Woodward".
29. Broadbent, Rick. (16 November 2005). "Woodward's right hand man quits Southampton".
30. (2005-11-15). "Coach Clifford leaves Southampton".
31. (2020-07-17). "Simon Clifford's Non League Journey".
32. (2023-07-31). "Greatest of all time: Brazil's best footballers.". [[The Times]].
33. (2011-12-04). "Garforth chairman pays tribute to Brazil legend Socrates". BBC News.
34. (8 April 2009). "Cup final shoot-out agony for Avenue".
35. "Clifford in Keegan talks".
36. "Clifford's Newcastle Move Revealed {{!}} Goal.com".
37. "Our Team".
38. "Integer".
39. Hart, Simon. (2020-06-12). "Meet the man with a masterplan to create the ultimate footballer".
40. (22 May 2024). "Leeds United to make family and club history with Wembley play-off final appearance".
41. (May 2024). "Central Coast Mariners crowned A-League Men's premiers after 2-0 win over Adelaide". The Guardian.
42. https://x.com/BarrowAFC/status/1784293171511390640 {{Bare URL inline. (August 2024)
43. Kay, Oliver. (2023-07-31). "Richards has athleticism to be centre of attention for England". [[The Times]].
44. "Keeping uppie with Freestyling World Champ". BBC.
45. "Clifford: Herdman was bright, inquisitive and a great communicator".
46. "Simon Clifford".
47. "Interview – Parminder Nagra". BBC.
48. (2 May 2020). "Football Choreographer Simon Clifford Talks to 90min About 20 Years of Working on Films Like Bend it Like Beckham".
49. "The Damned United EXCLUSIVE: Simon Clifford on doing Brian Clough justice". Goal.com.
50. Broadbent, Rick. (2023-07-06). "How big screen brought Brian Clough back to life in new film, The Damned United". [[The Times]].
51. (2020-05-02). "Football Choreographer Simon Clifford Talks to 90min About 20 Years of Working on Films Like Bend it Like Beckham".
52. (2023-07-31). "Buylines". [[The Times]].
53. Eaves, Krysta. (2011-04-25). "Simon's special honour".