Former Liverpool and England frontman Robbie Fowler says hard work at his Merseyside-based Fowler Education and Football Academy (FEFA) has paid off for 17-year-old striker Declan Daniels, who began his two-year scholarship with the Blues last week after signing terms last month following a trial at the end of last season.
"I’m delighted for Declan,” Fowler told the Liverpool Echo. "He impressed us all with his attitude, first and foremost. He put in a lot of hard work so all credit to him and also to our staff, who have created a professional environment in education and football.
"We pride ourselves on creating positive futures for our students and this is a fantastic outcome for Declan and his family.”
Kirkby-born, Liverpool-based Daniels spent time with Everton and Tranmere as a schoolboy and says he had become disillusioned with the game before joining Fowler’s then newly-opened set-up a year ago.
"When Tranmere didn’t keep me on I was gutted, I didn’t know whether to keep playing football seriously,” he admitted.
"But going down to FEFA last September was brilliant for me. The staff didn’t just make me a better footballer, they made me a better person.
"They were positive all the time and gave me goals to aim for. Robbie has been a massive help. I’ve had a few personal chats with him and he gave me some great advice about how to improve my game.
"As a young centre forward who better to learn from? He told me to go for it and now all that hard work has paid off.”
Daniels, who had a trial with Liverpool and was watched by Stoke City amongst others before he joined Town, says he’s enjoyed his first week at Playford Road: "Pre-season has been tough with the bleep tests but I’m enjoying it. Ipswich have sorted me out digs in the town and I’m settling in.
"It’s exciting. I didn’t know whether I’d get another chance. Now I’m determined to put my foot down and make sure I take it.
"I’ll always be grateful to the Fowler Academy for what they did for me and I’d recommend it to anyone.”
Meanwhile, released academy striker Nick Ingram has signed for Bury Town, where he ended last season on loan.