Alumni Gallery

Donny joined Unique FA when he was an U7 and we have loved every minute there. We trained on Mondays at the Beckenham Technical Centre for two years before being promoted into their invitation programme on Fridays and Donny has gone from strength to strength. We've been to Barcelona on tour with Unique FA and love the way they train and the experience. Being at Unique FA has led to many opportunities for our son including the the trial at Arsenal and we thank you all so so much. 

Bekim Isufi (Donny's father)

Before coming to you he was only playing in the park. We sent Val down to you at your Technical Centre on Mondays and you later moved him into the Invitation Programme on Fridays. Since joining you he went onto Whyteleafe after you suggested it and was there for half a season before being seen by Charlton. We just want to say a massive thanks for the time spent with you. Valentino has learnt a lot from Unique and been given opportunities he will forever cherish. The Barcelona Trophy was an amazing experience for him and he talks fondly of his memories spent with you. 

All the best for the future. 

Love Tasha and Val xx

I was a member at Unique FA's Croydon Technical Programme on Wednesdays for several years and would like to say a big thank you to all the coaching staff at Unique especially Dean who helped me develop, improve my skills and techniques, enabling me to gain a place at Millwall Lionesses. 

Thanks again.

Jas

Sam joined Unique FA at the end of his U12 season. At the time he had played a season up at U13's but the experience had left him doubting his abilities. The guys at Unique FA helped restore Sam’s confidence and sharpen his footballing skills. I can only praise the guys at Unique FA, for their dedication.  

The sessions at the Elite Academy really helped Sam’s technique, tactical awareness and fitness. One of the great things about being at Unique is the feedback that Jamie Waller and the guys provide. 

Around the beginning of 2017 we learnt that a number of Academy teams had shown interest in Sam. We decided to take the offer and goto Colchester United FC on a 6 weeks (plus) trial. During his trial period at Colchester, Sam played 15 games and scored a total of 21 goals, including a hat-trick against Reading FC and the winning goal playing up for Colchester U18's team in their 2-1 win over Stanway Rovers (first team). The trial at Colchester went very well. Sam signed with Colchester a short time afterwards. 

We would definitely recommend Unique FA. Hard work really pays off. 

Anthony (Sam’s Dad)

We just want to thank Jamie and his team of coaches, especially Tom who first saw Kai's talent, during his first season at Beckenham Town.

Kai started training at one of the Unique FA technical centres and progressed to the point that he was invited into the Elite Academy.

Kai continued to grow as a player, technically and tactically whilst training at the Elite Academy.   During his showcase game against AFC Wimbledon he scored some amazing goals before being invited in on trial.  However, he was eventually signed by Millwall FC in March 2016.

Thank you once again Jamie and to Tom for all your support and advice over the last couple of years.  We regularly recommend Unique FA to family and friends for the tremendous work you guys do to develop the boys into talented young players.

Derek and Fiona McKenzie (Kai's Parents)

Rivah has been at Unique Fa for a few seasons.It is a fantastic setup with brilliant coaching and brilliant coaches who make the boys feel welcome and comfortable.The coaching is academy level and has prepared Rivah when entering the academy environment.Training not only develops the boys football but also there mental and physical.

We always look forward to training there and would highly recommend unique Fa to any parent who wants there son to reach the next level.

Thanks to all Unique Fa staff!

Rob Bailey - Rivah's Father 

Bailey was introduced to Unique FA by his Sunday League team manager who is also a trusted friend of ours.  At age 9 he started off training with the Unique FA development/technical group which was overseen by Jamie Waller.

It was clear to see from the very first evening that the coaching that was being delivered was of a very high standard. Bailey loves the training environment at Unique FA and gets on well with the players and all of the coaches alike.

It wasn't long before Bailey was invited to train as part of Unique FA's Elite Group with numerous members who had also come through the ranks while forming great camaraderie and team spirt.

It wasn't until Bailey was invited to play an away fixture with his Unique FA teammates at Brighton and Hove Albion FC that he discovered his strongest position would be in defence... A position he had not played in before but now seemed to excel in.

Credit is therefore given to Jamie Waller for identifying Bailey's strengths within the team and also giving Bailey a new determination to learn playing in a new roll, of which was also to become his new position within his Sunday Team.

Bailey has developed a great understanding of Academy level training methods with the help from all of the Coaches at Unique FA and he has just been fortunate enough to complete a successful trial period at AFC Wimbledon, which has led to the offer of a contract for the 2016/17 season with the U12s. 

We highly recommend Unique FA to all young aspiring Footballers who have the drive and determination to become the best they can be under the guidance of a group of excellent and inspiring coaches.

Wesley Gordon

(Father of Bailey Gordon)

Initially Joél joined Unique FA Futsal programme in Croydon to develop and improve his technique, speed, control as well as having some fun. Alongside this programme it complemented his time with his play at lambeth tigers and Crystal Palace FC. He has recently been invited to join the invitation programme at Unique FA on Fridays to further develop his overall game which we believe will develop his level of consistency with his upcoming 17/18 season as a signed U9 player at Crystal Palace Academy. 

Luca

When I first came to Unique FA as a 13 year old, I had trialled at a few pro clubs and always done well, but not quite enough to get me signed. At Unique I learned to check my shoulders constantly and stay focused throughout the game. I learned movement off of players e.g long to short; short to long. My range of passing got better along with awareness before receiving the ball. All these things got me a scholarship at Leyton Orient, so thank you very much Jamie and all the coaches who helped me. I will always be grateful for the support and what you done for me.

Tony (dad)

Jamie, thank you very much along with the team what you've done for Luca. Your support and guidance for him has been superb and much of what I watched in your coaching is very much part of his game now. I wish Unique FA all the very best for the future, and will make sure I'll be back on a regular basis to visit or support if you ever need my help.

Training with Unique FA helped me to develop into the player I am now. The coaches are amazing, they are willing to help and give advice as much you want it.

Training session were match related and I felt I could  use things I learnt in match situation. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to better themselves to be a better player or even a professional player, they cater for high standard players across the age groups. Thanks

Dean henrys Dad :

Thank you so much to Jamie and the staff at Unique FA for helping Henry on his way to being offered a contract at Southend United FC. 

Henry has attended plenty of academies such as Unique but nothing comes remotely close.

The way that the coaches translate information into a way thats understandable for children is superb. Not only did Henry learn but so did I.

Its exactly like being at a professional academy but in a lot more of a relaxed environment, allowing the kids to develop without feeling pressured.

I really do feel that the coaching Henry received at Unique FA improved his football intelligence, game understanding and technical ability to such a level, that without it, he would not be playing professional academy football next season.

Cant thank you enough

My son Dwayne started at Unique FA Futsal in Croydon aged 6. I found he was naturally comfortable with a football but needed something extra. It's truly amazing how Dwayne has developed in the past 2 seasons and I can't speak highly enough about the Futsal programme at Unique FA and Unique FA in general. Dwayne has now been signed at AFC Wimbledon and has been playing up age group, he's also been invited into Unique FA's own elite programme on Fridays. The coaches at Unique FA are great and have a fantastic attitude, we'll be continuing Dwayne's training at Unique FA for sure. Thanks.

Waine Campbell - Father 

During his time at Unique, our son has literally transformed as a player, due in no small part to the quality of coaching, player development and opportunities on offer. Under the direction of Jamie Waller, the coaching team have an uncanny ability to turn a young player’s potential into a playing style that is technically proficient, tactically aware but most importantly of all, unique and individual to them.

For this reason, it is no surprise to see Unique becoming a hotbed of talent development with a proven track record for preparing young players to go into the pro club academy world and really stand out.

As for our son Reuell he was recently invited in on his first ever trial at Tottenham Hotspurs and ended up being offered a contract to sign for the club within three weeks! In our minds, this confirms that what is on offer at Unique is the very development and opportunities essential to allowing young players to take their game to next level.

We are, therefore, more than happy to wholeheartedly recommend Unique FA as a fantastic way for young players to gain the experience and foundations necessary for an exciting footballing future.

Raphael Walters (Reuell’s Father)

Jack was let go by Fulham in Feb’14 and instantly developed a crisis of confidence with his game, we were looking for ways to get Jack back to his normal self and after several recommendations signed Jack up for Jamie’s technical centre in Croydon. Jamie, Dean and Tom very quickly started talking up Jacks potential, Jack confidence started to grow to a stage where Jamie utilised some personal contacts to get Jack training in a Premiership Category 1 academy as well as taking Jack aged 12 into Unique’s Elite Academy in Beckenham.

The coaches at Unique’s Academy really worked hard on Jacks confidence until he was at a stage where he was more than holding his own within a quality U13/14 training group. Jack received great reviews and reports from Tom and Dean who really can’t be underestimated in Jacks development, they both loved Jack and filled him with nothing but positives which gave him huge confidence, Lionel and Jamie developed Jack with experienced mind-sets, really getting him ready and prepared for the football academy world that laid ahead, the little one-to-one talks they had really helped Jack move on to another level.

Another unbelievable addition to the Unique FA set-up was Aidan Syers BSc, the Lead Sport Scientist at Unique FA, he worked with Jack and has helped turn him in to a real athlete through strength and conditioning work.

So in February 2015, Jack was signed, in his fourth week he has been put up a year to play for the under 13’s, where this weekend Jack and another Unique FA graduate Jay Farqhuarson scored three of the four goals in a 4-1 win over QPR U13s.

Can’t thank Jamie and his staff enough for their guidance developing both Jack and his brother Tom.

I want to end this testimonial by really recommending Unique FA to any aspiring footballer who needs to improve their confidence/game, especially any footballer recently released from a pro-club and need help getting back in to an academy/pro-club. Give Jamie a call he’s great lad and very, very approachable and honest.

Ray Leahy (Jacks Father)

"After being introduced to Unique FA through a friend, we were blown away at the standard of coaching the boys receive. Unique put a very high emphasis on the technical ability of their young players, ensuring that each player is given the the opportunity to improve weekly on different skill sets that are needed to become an elite talent.

This emphasis on technical ability aided Paris and Tristan well when they made the transition into the professional academy world with Fulham FC and enabled them to stand out as technically proficient and tactically astute players. Even with the boys both being signed at Fulham FC, we continue to bring them to weekly sessions with Unique, as we feel there is still so much they can benefit from being a part of the Unique FA environment and In terms of Independent Football Academies, there is no place better in London.”

Chris Lock (Paris Lock Father)

Joining Unique Football Academy was an excellent opportunity for Hugo to improve his goalkeeping skills and develop as a player. Well-structured training sessions, regular feedback and encouraging comments from experienced coaches were essential in getting best out of him. Jamie is always very friendly and I felt that he genuinely did his very best for Hugo and always gave him opportunities to take his football further. Unique FA is a fantastic academy I would recommend it to any footballer who wants to prefect his football skills!

Vanda Fisher (Hugo’s Mother)

After two good seasons at Millwall, winning the national's, and getting player of the tournament, Cameron, myself and a lot of clubs were very surprised that he got released by Millwall.  A lot of clubs were interested in taking Cameron back into the system straightaway but he decided that he wanted to have a break from Academy football and went back to his grassroots club Whyteleafe and later in with the Elite Academy at Unique FA. He then started to get his mojo back and we both have the most respect for Jamie Waller.

After a good performance in a showcase game between Brighton and Unique FA it reignited  Cameron and after he was invited in with Brighton on trial after that game he hasn’t looked back. He is under no illusion as he knows the hard work starts here but the coaching at both Unique FA and Brighton has been great and we hope Cameron can kick on from here.

Many thanks to Unique FA for giving him a second bite at the cherry.  We have a saying in the Grants household and that is the only time success comes before work is in the dictionary, and believe you me Cameron knows this!!

“After being introduced to Unique FA through a friend, we were blown away at the standard of coaching the boys receive. Unique put a very high emphasis on the technical ability of their young players, ensuring that each player is given the the opportunity to improve weekly on different skill sets that are needed to become an elite talent.

This emphasis on technical ability aided Paris and Tristan well when they made the transition into the professional academy world with Fulham FC and enabled them to stand out as technically proficient and tactically astute players. Even with the boys both being signed at Fulham FC, we continue to bring them to weekly sessions with Unique, as we feel there is still so much they can benefit from being a part of the Unique FA environment and In terms of Independent Football Academies, there is no place better in London.”

Chris Lock (Tristan’s Father)

Training with Jamie at Unique FA and Bromley FC was a pleasure as I had learnt many things that enhanced my footballing ability. I always looked forward to training with one of the best coaches I had worked under. I had always been told what I had done well during training and games which encouraged me to do better. But most importantly, things I could have improved on. I’m thankful for the opportunity Jamie Waller had given me at Notts County FC and by God’s grace I continue to do well.

Thank you to you and your team at Unique FA for putting Jay forward for trials at Brighton & Hove FC. Jay was well prepared for his trial through his sessions at Unique FA. His fitness levels and technical ability were at the highest I have ever seen and it was this extra preparation in my opinion that lead to Jay being signed to what is a very good academy. Jay will continue to train with Unique FA when his Academy schedule permits. We cannot recommend Unique FA any higher than we already have but we will continue to tell people about the positive experience that we had there and the high level of coaching.

We will be back soon to see you all. Thanks to all the Unique FA Team.

Mal Farquharson (Jay’s Father)

I will like to personally thank Jamie and all the coaches for everything that they did for my son during his time at the academy.  I remembered Jamie's words after his first training.  he gave David his confidence back.  Now he is back at Crystal Palace and playing so well.  Please let this encourage you all that with dedication and hard work nothing is impossible.  Tunde Omilabu (Father)

From David:  Thank you so much Jamie for everything you did for me.  I will always remember you.  I wish you all a very good Christmas and a happy New Year.

After leaving Crystal Palace FC, Ryan joined Unique FA as we had heard great things about the academy set up from other parents, players and coaches. Ryan was immediately made to feel welcome, settled in quickly and benefited hugely from the fantastic training, coaching, professionalism, support and atmosphere that exists at Unique FA.

In a short space of time he was offered trials at a number of professional football academies and in January 2015 was signed at U13 level by Tottenham Hotspur FC. We can’t thank Jamie Waller and Unique enough for their help and guidance throughout his time there.

Mark Penton (Ryan’s Father)

Thanks to Unique Football Academy i was able to gain a second chance of realising my dream of becoming a professional footballer. After missing out on a scholarship at Crystal Palace FC i trained at Unique for a few months whilst they arranged trials for me. Through their links with Scunthorpe Utd i was eventually offered a scholarship there and i am extremely grateful for the support Unique FA showed me.

Training with Unique FA really improved me as a player and a person; I’ve learnt so many things at a young age that still come in handy to this day. Jamie always made me feel confident whilst playing football but also told me what I needed to work on which is just as important.

I always enjoy training with Unique FA and I am hugely grateful for the influence Jamie has had on me. I am really grateful for the opportunity they have given me to sign for Preston North End which led to my first professional contract at Fleetwood Town FC. It has always been a pleasure working with Jamie and I wish him all the best and hope to cross paths with him again. Good Luck!