FORMER Swindon Town defender Dave Hockaday is searching for the next batch of talented footballers as he kicks off the Dave Hockaday Football Academy in September.

Hockaday, who was nicknamed ‘The Professor’ during his playing days at the County Ground, was responsible for starting the first football academy in this country at Cirencester College 21 years ago.

The 57-year-old had attempted to start up his own academy last summer but timings weren’t right and now, based out of Swindon Supermarine’s Swindome, Hockaday is looking to shake up the academy system that has followed the blueprints he laid out all those years ago.

“It is not a new thing,” he told the Advertiser.

“This is something I set up 21 years ago. I set up the very first one and then on the back of it the Premier League have set up the academy system, so most Premiership and Championship clubs will now have an academy and some League One and League Two clubs.

“What I have noticed is that there are only a couple of academies really that have taken it on from the model I set up 20 years ago, which disappoints me.

“I want to set up an elite super football academy and I do really want to push the boundaries, so this is not going to be for the faint-hearted.

“What we have got is the best coaching and the best facilities in the area so the football education I have to say will be the best for anybody in the area."

“I am looking for the best people who are interested in the football industry and this is something I am extremely passionate about.”

The academy is going to work alongside Swindon Academy to provide the education side of the course with the classrooms and coaching being based primarily at the Swindome.

Hockaday is looking for under 16s who are finishing their GCSEs and are not only interested in playing football but also those looking for careers in the game as physios, coaches or refereeing etc.

Alongside the football coaching, the academy will run the B-Tech level three diploma in sport and Hockaday sees the education as important as the football side of the academy.

“The Swindome is a unique teaching environment and it is a super facility,” he added.

“Education-wise, I have had lots of conversations with lots of people and Swindon Academy and I have joined together and they are the best college for my project."

“I believe that in the classroom and on the pitch we can provide the best education for any aspiring under 16 who wants to fulfil their potential.

“If I was to say to anybody that I could make them a professional footballer then that would be wrong of me but what we can do is help people to fulfil their potential.

“Whatever anybody has already said to any college already, they are not legally bound and I am going to prove to under 16s out there that I can give a better option.”

The academy will be hosting an open day on Wednesday, June 1, between 9am and 1pm at the Swindome for prospective students and parents.

For more information about the academy and the open day call Daffyd Williams on 07944635985 or email info@dhfa.co.uk.