Taking College Pride to Wembley

Here at Hartlepool College, we take pride in the achievements of our staff - both inside and outside the classroom. This weekend, our Head of High-Performance Sport, Ian Clark, is heading to Wembley Stadium with dreams of returning to College with a winner’s medal to inspire the next generation.

Ian, a former professional footballer, will join his long-time friend Graeme Lee, Manager of Spennymoor Town, as his assistant when they face Aldershot Town in Sunday’s FA Trophy final. “To fulfil every childhood footballing dream at this stage of my career and be heading to Wembley for a final is phenomenal,” Ian told us. "I just can't wait. It is an unbelievable achievement and something I didn't think would happen—not only for myself but also for helping a part-time club reach the biggest non-league final at Wembley. For us to get there is genuinely what dreams are made of.”

Ian’s playing career included time at Doncaster and Hartlepool United. He came close to a Wembley final in 2018 while at Marske United. Now, having transitioned to coaching and turning 50, he didn’t expect another chance. But as a UEFA A-licence coach and a full-time member of staff at our College, he’s ready to share every moment of this journey with his students.

“I come to the College five days a week, full-time, and then head away with Spennymoor,” Ian said. "This is what non-league football is like away from the professional clubs. You are playing against full-time sides sometimes, like we were when we beat Rochdale and Sutton in the semi-final and quarter-final. We are getting in at 3 am at times, but I am still here at College at 9 am because I have that responsibility. I have never missed a session or a day at College because of football. I do hope to have the Monday off after the final at Wembley, mind! I know those who we are teaching/coaching are watching out for the results because we talk about whether we have won or lost. I can share stories of the benefits of a dual career, like so many part-time players.”

Ian leads our successful sports programmes, which continue to produce exceptional alumni. Oscar Fletcher is now pursuing a dual career in non-league football. Louis Stephenson, Campbell Darcy and Max Storey have secured professional contracts at Hartlepool United and Archie Small is developing at Darlington. Dan Rowe, also in the Spennymoor squad, progressed through higher education with Hartlepool College. World champion boxer Savannah Marshall and amateur boxing champion Shannon Rochester are also former students supported by our sports provision.

“This is what we are here for,” Ian said, “Because through our teaching we are educating and transforming the lives of these young people—young people who still message us today because we are still on the journey with them. Where this all ties in with Spennymoor too is that our students can look at players like Glen Taylor and Rob Ramshaw, who are heading to Wembley as successful non-league footballers who also have strong jobs – and that is so inspiring for young athletes and footballers.”

We’re proud to support Ian in his dual role, and grateful for the commitment he continues to show our learners. Ian commented, "I can't thank the College enough.” Ian added. “For them to give me that support to have a dual career is fantastic. Darren Hankey, the Principal, once wrote me a letter of support that led to me going for my UEFA A-licence coaching qualification. It has benefited the College too. Darren, Gary Riches, Sharon Weatherill and Shaun Hope, who has left the College now, have all been behind me, and to have that support from your employer gives you the confidence to achieve.”

Now the focus shifts to Wembley, where Ian, Graeme, and the Spennymoor squad take on Aldershot, led by Tommy Widdrington—another former Hartlepool teammate of both men.

“We are going into the game confident,” Ian said, "because we have beaten teams from the National League already, but we also understand we are underdogs. Our lads are not just going to Wembley for a day out. We want to win. Spennymoor won the FA Vase in 2013, but this is the FA Trophy, and you are up against the best non-league teams around. There will be 25–30,000, and it will be the biggest game of some of our lives.”

We’ll be cheering him on every step of the way.

To learn more about our sports programmes here: https://bit.ly/hcfeSports