After discovering the game of Futebol de Salão through his friendship with the then Middlesbrough player Juninho, Simon Clifford was so taken with the history and concept of the game that he travelled to Brazil to study the game in more depth. On his return to the UK, Simon was faced with the difficulty of how to develop an entirely new sport in a country where conventional football is so popular. Simon built up the original Brazilian Football Academy in Leeds whilst working with a number of coaches throughout the UK & Ireland to set up similar training centres.

Simon's work attracted much media coverage and he was invited by Middlesbrough FC in 1998 to conduct an in-service training day for the academy staff at the club to give them an insight into the game and our unique training programme. This was a great success and since this date similar days have been held at the majority of top clubs in England and Scotland as well as for the FA and SFA. There are now Brazilian Soccer Schools in most countries and most areas of Britain, and the game is played widely in Birmingham's schools through the Futebol de Salão Schools Cup and the ICFDS Skills Badge Scheme.

"We have used Futebol de Salão in training for over a year and can see great benefits."

 - Eddie Leach, Manchester United FC Academy

 "Futebol de Salão is a very useful tool in developing skills such as passing, dribbling and control. We were all amazed how Simon Clifford's Brazilian Soccer Schools players had improved in the year since we last saw them. Our under 17 players used Futebol de Salão last session, they loved it."

- Alan Irvine, Newcastle United FC Academy Director

"After seeing Futebol de Salão in action we will be trailing the game with our academy groups."

- Tony Carr, West Ham United FC Academy Director

"Our Under 7's, Under 8's, Under 9's and Under 10 Academy players now use Futebol de Salão for 75% of their training. Our Under 9's, who have used the ball for over 2 years, are the strongest age group in the club."

- Tosh Farrell, Everton FC Academy

"We at Rangers have been using Futebol de Salão for nearly two years in our coaching programme. It is an excellent 'skill-learning' way to play football." 

- Billy Duncanson, Glasgow Rangers FC Academy

"We have been using Futebol de Salão in our advanced centres and the children and coaches alike love it."  

- Phil Houghton Thomas, Portsmouth FC

"People ask 'Where have all the English dribblers gone?', well here is a way of finding them again. Futebol de Salão is an excellent tool for developing passing, close control and dribbling."

- Dave Parnaby, Middlesborough FC Academy Director

 "We are very impressed with Futebol de Salão training techniques and have incorporated them into our youth Academy."

- Ian Branfoot, Sunderland FC Academy Director

"We have incorporated the Futebol de Salão Ball and training methods into our Academy programme over the past two seasons. We have found tremendous benefits and seen the improvement in our players technical skills."

 - Peter Sturgess, Derby County FC Academy Director

 "The response from Players, Parents and Coaches alike was extremely positive. I am enthusiastic about the effect Birmingham Brazilian Soccer Schools methods and the exciting game of Futebol de Salão will have on our young players."

- Dan Ashworth, West Bromwich Albion FC Academy Director 

 "The FAI hopes that with Simon and Brazilian Soccer Schools help, Ireland can produce a generation of skilful soccer players."

- The Football Association of Ireland, thanking Simon Clifford for his work in developing their skills coaching. 

"I was really impressed by the skill levels of Brazilian Soccer Schools players and have since encorporated Futebol de Salão into our coaching programme throughout Scotland."

- Graeme Liveston, Technical director Scottish Schools FA

 "Futebol de Salão is an effective tool in the acquisition of ball mastery skills."

- Craig Brown, Director of Football Development for the Scottish FA 

"I am sure that young players will reap the benefits of the Futebol de Salão Skillsbadge scheme in the coming years."

- Peter Taylor, England Under 21's Head Coach

"Many Soccer Schools are just money making operations with little regard for quality coaching. The only new initiative that I believe is of true merit and is doing things properly is Futebol de Salão / Brazilian Soccer Schools."

John Shields - Head of 'Bobby Charlton Soccer Schools'