Football Programme

IFG Macclesfield

Macclesfield, Cheshire (North West England) Ages 15-19 (residency 15-18; gap year/university 16+) Football
⚽ Prestige Partner School
1
Daily training at a semi-professional club's first-team ground (Leasing.com Stadium) with £4m+ of recent investment
2
Formal university partnership with UCLan giving players a direct route to a UK degree alongside football
3
Multiple entry points — 2/4/6-week summer residency, full-year gap year, or a three-year degree programme
About the school

IFG Macclesfield

The International Football Group's Macclesfield FC programme is one of the UK's most-established full-time international football academies, operating in formal partnership with semi-professional club Macclesfield FC and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). Players train daily at the Leasing.com Stadium — a recently-refurbished ground with a 4G first-team pitch — and progress through a clear pathway from short residency through gap year to a UCLan undergraduate degree. The programme reset its senior leadership in 2025/26 and continues to operate under the IFG group structure.

IFG Macclesfield campus
IFG Macclesfield grounds
Heritage & History
The International Football Group launched its Macclesfield FC operation following the rebirth of Macclesfield FC as a phoenix club in 2020, after the original Macclesfield Town F.C. was wound up. IFG has since grown the programme into one of the UK's largest international academies, with a separate IFG Phoenix City operation expanding the group footprint.
Football Programme

Coaching & Development

The full-time programme runs September to May with five hours of coaching per day delivered by UEFA-qualified staff, based at Macclesfield FC's Leasing.com Stadium and its state-of-the-art 4G pitch. Players receive unlimited access to the on-site Stealth gymnasium and follow a position-specific strength and conditioning programme, alongside video analysis, sports science and physiotherapy support. Fixtures include the IFG Macclesfield FC internal teams competing in UK developmental leagues and tour matches, with the highest performers selected for the senior Macclesfield FC squad — eight IFG players were called up for the club's Cheshire Senior Cup debut.

Facilities & Resources
  • Leasing.com Stadium — 4G first-team training pitch
  • On-site Stealth Gymnasium (unlimited access)
  • Full-time strength and conditioning support
  • Sports science, physiotherapy and recovery provision
  • Video analysis suite
  • UCLan Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre and UCLAN Sports Arena (for degree-pathway players)
  • Player accommodation (residency and gap-year housing organised by the academy)
  • Transport to all training and fixtures provided by Macclesfield FC
IFG Macclesfield football IFG Macclesfield football IFG Macclesfield football IFG Macclesfield football
Training Ground

Where Champions Train

World-class facilities designed to develop the next generation of footballing talent.

Leasing.com Stadium — 4G first-team training pitchOn-site Stealth Gymnasium (unlimited access)Full-time strength and conditioning supportSports science, physiotherapy and recovery provisionVideo analysis suiteUCLan Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre and UCLAN Sports Arena (for degree-pathway players)Player accommodation (residency and gap-year housing organised by the academy)Transport to all training and fixtures provided by Macclesfield FC
Meet the Team

The coaches behind the programme

IFG Macclesfield FC coaching team

IFG Macclesfield FC coaching team

UEFA-licensed staff

The day-to-day programme is delivered by a UEFA-qualified coaching team across position-specific, tactical and S&C sessions at the Leasing.com Stadium. Programme leadership was refreshed for the 2025/26 season following the departure of the previous director; current named staff are listed on the IFG coaches page.

Accolades

Track record

Official partnership with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)Eight IFG Macclesfield FC players called up to the Macclesfield FC first-team squad for the Cheshire Senior Cup£4m+ stadium investment at Leasing.com Stadium over recent seasonsLong-established residency and university pathway with international intake from 30+ countries
Location

Macclesfield, Cheshire (North West England)

Macclesfield sits in Cheshire on the edge of the Peak District, 18 miles south of Manchester and well-connected by the West Coast Main Line — London is reached directly in under two hours. The town gives international students a safe, compact base with quick access to one of the UK's biggest international airports and a recognised northern English city for weekends. It is a strong fit for families who want a quieter residential setting without sacrificing transport links.

Nearest city
Manchester (18 miles)
Distance to London
175 miles
Nearest airports
Manchester Airport (MAN) — 14 miles, Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) — 45 miles, Birmingham Airport (BHX) — 90 miles
Macclesfield, Cheshire (North West England)
Fees

Investment

Football programme
£47,995 per season (IFG School of Football, paid as £3,000 deposit + 3 × £14,998 termly payments). Gap year and residency fees on application.
Useful Links
School Website Football Programme Fees & Admissions About the School ▶ Video
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