The University of Derby collaboration is offering lift-off. Pierce Bramwell reports
As he leaned back in his chair, ProChance and the University of Derby Men’s first team manager, Liam Sutcliffe, took a deep breath and reflected on some of the difficulties he had faced throughout his career, including roles in coaching and player recruitment.
One challenge that stood out most to the former Chesterfield coach was the hardships of releasing academy footballers, detailing it as an “awful process to go through”. For many, it’s the quiet end of a dream that never quite got the chance to begin.
“It’s the fundamental reason why I’m not overly enamoured with kids getting signed into academies at sort of seven, eight, nine,” Sutcliffe said.
“The cycle is that they sign at nine, get a year, and then they could be gone by 10.”
Sutcliffe also mentioned how the process never got easier and was a recurring problem, but how ProChance could serve as a lighthouse for those adrift.
“I think from my perspective, and one of the main reasons for ProChance’s existence is that we aren’t precious over wearing the academy system they come from.
“To release players, it’s awful, no matter how good you get at it,” he said.
Sutcliffe is now the head of football at ProChance and manager of the University of Derby Men’s first team.
ProChance is a programme currently partnered with the University of Derby, striving to give young footballers the best opportunities and support to develop and prepare them to return to football or pursue a career off the pitch.
With over 20 years of experience in coaching and academy management, Sutcliffe could be perfect to help these young players get the chance to play in the professional game.
This role of helping develop young players and acting as a greenhouse for late bloomers may suit Sutcliffe, who believes he has been “really successful” with this type of player.
He said: “I think from a personal perspective, it’s something that I’ve always been passionate about, and ironically, I have been really successful with that type of player.
“The player who lacks a little bit physically and needs more time, maybe isn’t as intelligent as some of the players that have played nine, 10, 11 months longer than they have.”
One player already benefiting from Sutcliffe’s experience and approach is the recently acquired Will Street.
The 18-year-old midfielder spoke brightly about his manager and his new side.
“He’s a good character. He’s got a lot of experience,” he said. “It’s a very new team, so it’s bound to take time to gel.”
Street also spoke about how his manager and ProChance are helping him achieve his goal of becoming a professional footballer.
“They’re trying to make the best person out of us and really develop us, which is perfect; it’s a good thing to have behind you.”
Sutcliffe hinted that ProChance may create a six-part documentary to showcase the organisation, similar to last year’s Sky Sports’ Chasing the Dream series.
The final episode of this documentary, featuring ProChance, was a big hit, reaching over 22,000 views on YouTube.
Sutcliffe believes this televised narrative, which could pilot in early 2026, could have a positive impact on ProChance.
“We’re looking to do a pilot for a six-part documentary at the beginning of 2026, which will potentially be on Sky, so that’ll be interesting for the players.
“We’ve got to finalise exactly what the content will be, but I think it’s following the journey and how individuals become involved with ProChance and the University of Derby.”
While this is an exciting showcase for everyone involved, Sutcliffe is more focused on using this opportunity to help develop his players.
“It’s all about preparing these young players. I want the best for them; I think it’s the number one thing any player should be looking for in a coach or manager.”
0.06%.
It’s a number so small, it’s hard to fathom, let alone find a metaphor to picture it. Yet, according to SkySports, that’s the chance of a boy becoming a professional footballer in England.
Despite having the odds stacked against them, Sutcliffe, leaning in, is still optimistic that some of his players can leap into the professional game, hungry to bring the best out of them.
“Realistically, we all know it’s probably one, maybe two,” he conceded. “But it will be five or six if they are committed and if they follow the process, especially those at the younger end.”
While the journey ahead may be long for these players, no one will be more excited to help them than their head of football, who gets to embrace his true passion: developing young footballers and not only stopping their dreams from fading, but helping them burst into life.
