Football academy kicks off growth plans
A former professional footballer is looking to build on the success of his soccer academy by launching the business as a franchise.
Soccer Stars Academy, based in Airdrie, was established in 2017 by ex-professional footballer and PE teacher Mark Molloy with his wife Siobhan.
It says it offers “fun football classes” for children aged between 18 months and nine years.
The venture was founded after the Molloys realised that there were limited quality football classes suited to their three-year-old son Louie.
Soccer Stars Academy is now running 28 classes a week, coaching more than 500 children, in Airdrie, Coatbridge, Wishaw, Hamilton, East Kilbride, Motherwell and Cumbernauld.
Mark said: “We have decided to franchise the business as it is the only way we can keep up with the overwhelming demand.
“Since the launch of Soccer Stars Academy we have been blown away with its success. High quality and fun football coaching for kids is in such high demand, and lockdown has just increased this demand as parents look to get their children out the house and involved in healthy, active and challenging activities with their friends.
“I have played football most of my life and growing up I played with various Scottish and English clubs including Celtic, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and Everton. I have also represented Scotland at various youth group levels.
“After being forced to retire early from football due to injury, I then trained as a PE teacher and worked in secondary schools for over ten years.”