Trials now open for U12 to U21 in Southampton
Train like
a pro.
Develop like one.
Keep playing for your club; add professional level coaching to your week. Led by former Southampton FC player Aaron Martin and a team of UEFA and FA licensed coaches.
What we are
Your club. And AMFA.
AMFA is a development centre, not a football club. You keep playing your fixtures every weekend, and train with us to take your game further; we develop you technically, tactically and as a person.
Stay with your club
Stay registered and keep playing your fixtures.
We can support your team
If your club wants it, our coaches can help with sessions and matchdays.
Develop as an individual
Honest feedback and clear next steps.
Meet the founder
He's walked the path your child wants to walk.
Aaron Martin came through the youth system at Eastleigh FC and went on to play for nine clubs, including five years at Southampton FC and the promotion seasons to the Championship and Premiership.
Since hanging up his boots he has coached in the Southampton FC academy, been First Team Manager at Havant & Waterlooville FC, and earned his UEFA A Licence.
Aaron started AMFA to give more young players exposure to elite level coaching and fairer opportunities to professional football.
Where Aaron played
Nine clubs across England and Scotland
Southampton FC
Crystal Palace
Birmingham City
Coventry City
Exeter City
Oxford United
Yeovil Town
Eastleigh FC
Hamilton Academical
It starts with
the environment.
Every session is built like a professional one; it moves from the individual, to the unit, to the team, to the game. Players learn not just what to do, but why, when and where.
Pro-style sessions
Technical work, possession, phases of play and a tactical theme every term.
Pro academy testing
Physical testing modelled on Premier League Category 1 academies, including the YoYo test; every player builds a real data profile.
Specialist GK coaching
Dedicated 1-to-1 goalkeeper time in every session.
Individual development plans
Built around your position, strengths and areas to improve, with regular honest feedback.
Showcases & trials
We organise showcase games and put you forward for trials and opportunities into academies and senior football.
Scout opportunities
Aaron and the team open their black book to introduce you to scouts when you're ready to be noticed.
Alongside Aaron
The coaching team
UEFA B Licence coach and former Havant & Waterlooville FC First Team Men's coach.
Master of Science in Football Performance, BA Hons Sports Studies and former Portsmouth FC Academy coach.
Former England Men's Team Conditioning Coach, with 18 years' experience in professional football in the UK and USA.
UEFA B Licence coach and former international footballer for Apollon Limassol and the Cyprus Youth National Team.
Our season
Six themes.
The whole game.
Each term has a tactical theme at its heart. Across the season, players learn how to play with the ball; and how to win it back.
Build the attack
Playing out with purpose.
Create the attack
Combinations and overloads.
Finish the attack
Movement and clinical finishing.
High press
Winning it back high up.
Mid block
Compact through the middle.
Low block
Defend the box, spring the counter.
Pathway success
When you're ready,
we help open the door.
“Aaron saw potential and believed in me; that built my confidence, leading to showcase games, trials, and getting signed.”
Live from Instagram
Inside AMFA
@aaronmartinfootballacademy
Join AMFA for 2026/27
When, where & cost
Mondays
5:00 to 6:00pm at Woodlands Community College, SO18 5FW
After October half term: Test Park, 6:30 to 7:30pm
Friday nights
7:30 to 9:00pm at Test Park Sports Ground, Lower Brownhill Road, SO16 9BP
Mondays
5:30 to 6:30pm at Test Park Sports Ground. Starts after October half term.
Parents ask us
Does my child have to leave their club?
No. AMFA is a development centre, not a club; players stay registered with their team and keep playing their fixtures.
What ages do you coach?
U12 to U21 now, with a new U8 to U11 group starting after October half term.
What's included in membership?
Weekly sessions, an individual development plan, performance testing, regular feedback, pathway guidance, showcase and scout opportunities, and your AMFA kit.
Where do sessions take place?
Woodlands Community College (SO18 5FW) and Test Park Sports Ground (SO16 9BP) in Southampton. See Sessions & Prices for each age group.
Trials now open for U12 to U21