Simon Darcy Clifford is an English football coach and businessman, known for introducing Brazilian training techniques into the UK through his Brazilian Soccer Schools.
22 Facts About Simon Clifford
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Currently, Simon Clifford teaches young football players through his coaching company, Integer Football, which is based in Yorkshire, England.
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Simon Clifford has worked with many young players, including future professionals like Micah Richards, who went on to play in the Premier League and for England's national team.
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Simon Clifford began training the children of the school using techniques derived from Brazilian football.
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Simon Clifford became the first coach to bring over and popularise futsal in the United Kingdom.
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Simon Clifford then started training young footballers with his new methods, preferring to concentrate on improving ball skills and close control and an even greater emphasis on fitness and physical strength.
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Simon Clifford sold the Brazilian Soccer Schools and SOCATOTS franchise to then Southampton FC chairman Rupert Lowe in 2012.
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Simon Clifford failed to emerge onto the professional scene after being recruited by Sir Clive Woodward in December 2004, to become his assistant coach at Southampton.
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In 2003 Simon Clifford purchased the Northern Counties East Football League club Garforth Town.
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At the time of the purchase, Simon Clifford expressed the desire to take the club, then at the ninth level of the football pyramid, into the English Football League within twenty years.
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Simon Clifford signed several well-known players including: Lee Sharpe, Socrates and Careca.
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In September 2008, Simon Clifford was approached by a South African consortium looking to purchase Newcastle United Football Club, with the party offering the 38-year-old a role as Technical Director as well as shares in the club.
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In 2017, Simon Clifford began working within HN Sports agency, and in 2019 moved over to Blue Sky Sports football agency.
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Simon Clifford has worked with Blue Sky Sports since its inception, in the role of elite performance coach.
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In 2015, Simon Clifford started his latest venture with the inception of Integer Football - a one-to-one training programme.
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Notable coaches have graduated from Simon Clifford's system, including: John Herdman, Michael Beale and Beverly Priestman,.
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Simon Clifford has been involved in a number of TV and film productions, working with directors and actors in various roles.
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Simon Clifford worked as Technical Coach for the two lead actresses of Bend It Like Beckham, Keira Knightley and Parminder Nagra.
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Simon Clifford performed the same role in the film There's Only One Jimmy Grimble with Robert Carlyle and Ray Winstone, as well as more recently on Kicking and Screaming with Will Ferrell.
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Simon Clifford choreographed, coached and advised on the film The Damned United, starring Michael Sheen.
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Simon Clifford has worked on his own TV documentaries, DVDs and books, individually and in collaboration with others.
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In May 2011, Simon Clifford was made an official Yorkshire Patron for his work promoting the region around the world.