Brazilian Soccer School players were treated to a surprise visit by a professional footballer to mark our training venue change to The Campus School in Billingham. Middlesbrough F.C player Jonathan Franks dropped into our session to see first hand the innovative training offered to new and existing members.

Brazilian Soccer School uses the methods Simon Clifford brought back from Brazil in 1996 following a research trip, with his aim of uncovering the secrets behind the countries footballing success achieved when he discovered Futebol de Salao.

Simon was advised to look into the small-sided game, which is played with a weighted size two football, by the likes of Zico, Pele and Rivelino, and 14 years on the methods are taught in over 700 BSS centres around the globe.

Already, the likes of Micah Richards (Manchester City and England), Aidan White (Leeds United), John Bostock (Tottenham Hotspur and England) and Oliver Hotchkiss (Leeds United and England) have emerged from the organisation and are making great strides within professional football.

Source:- News of the World

Ledley King and John Terry go head-to-head today as captains of Spurs and Chelsea.

Two professional players at the top of their profession but sadly these two stalwarts are a dying breed - and they haven't even turned 30.

Both have emerged from a traditional production line that has, to all intents and purposes, been forgotten by the english game: sunday morning boys football. When they were 11 Terry and King were team-mates. Not as young "scholars" of a hugely funded premier league academy but as hungry kids in an east London sunday morning youth team called Senrab which, over the years, has produced dozens of stars.

Brazilian Soccer School (BSS) Hartlepool were the guests for the recent Garforth Town v Hartlepool United pre-season friendly. The day started with BSS Hartlepool playing a friendly game against BSS Leeds/Garforth and represented themselves well with both teams showing great flair and technique throughout the games with the emphasis placed on playing good football rather than results.

The BSS Hartlepool players were then invited to lead the Garforth and Hartlepool players out onto the pitch with a few familiar faces lining up for Hartlepool United. The players then took their place in the stands and showed their support for both teams although the hard core Hartlepool United fans made their voices heard throughout.