Caption: Millfield Upper Sixth student Charlie Binns with Tottenham Hotspur’s Head of Academy coaching Chris Powell at their training ground.
Millfield goalkeeper Charlie Binns trained with the Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur over the summer at their training ground in Enfield.
Charlie, from Chard, worked with Head of Academy Coaching Chris Powell who is part of Gareth Southgate’s England coaching team, and Head of Goalkeeping Dean Brill. Charlie trained with the U18 goalkeepers and outfield players for two weeks. On his final day Charlie took part in the warm-up prior to the U18s match v Watford and sat on the bench to watch Spurs beat Watford 7-0!
Spurs Academy provided Charlie with great feedback on his time at the academy saying, “Charlie has been a pleasure to coach and an absolute credit to himself both in terms of behaviour, manners, politeness and how he has handled himself. His handling is outstanding, a real strength, he’s good with his feet and has a bright future in the game.”
Spurs have also noted that they will be keeping a close eye on Charlie over the next year.
Charlie reflected on his opportunity with the Spurs Academy saying, “So grateful for and feel very lucky to have had this brilliant opportunity, and to now be on Spurs’ radar. I am motivated and determined as ever to push on, work hard and get to where I want to be”.
The young goalkeeper joined Millfield in Lower Sixth to take his football to a higher standard whilst being able to study his A levels. He said “I really wanted to progress my football at the highest level I could whilst continuing my education. Given that I am a goalkeeper and require a very specific type of training, it was important to come to a school that could offer me this. I knew that Millfield’s football programme has a reputation as being on par with a professional football academy.”
Charlie spoke about what makes the football programme at Millfield special to him, “The amount of contact time you get. The fantastic quality of the coaching staff, including Scott Laird (1st team coach) Steve Phillips, and Steve Perkins (Director of Football). The football pitches and facilities are outstanding, and the first team pitch has underground watering along with designated goalkeeper training areas.”
On the Millfield Football programme players who wish to excel in football are nurtured from Year 9, and those who show promise are put into the performance programme. From his experience at the Spurs Academy, Charlie will be able to update his personal development plan. Charlie spoke about his plan, saying “I have a personalised strength and conditioning programme which helps me to improve the areas of the game I need to work on, and I am given regular feedback from coaches about what I have done well and what needs improving.” He also trains with a specialised goalkeeper coach Steve Phillips at Millfield, “I have specialist goalkeeper training with Steve three times a week with 2 or 3 other goalkeepers. The quality of coaching is incredible, and we are very lucky to have Steve as our coach.”
Charlie is still able to keep up with his schoolwork saying: “None of my football training clashes with my lessons and as a result I can study three A Levels which would not be possible at a professional football academy. There is a great network of support from my housemaster, tutor and teachers who ensure that I keep working hard and am up to date with all my studies.”
Categories: Millfield School School News
