X-Nico

3 unusual facts about Lilleshall


1983–84 Stoke City F.C. season

It was apparent during the summer of 1983 at a coaching course at Lilleshall that manager Ritchie Barker was converted to the long ball game.

George Ndah

Due to the rehabilitation period, Ndah missed the pre-season training camp in Spain and instead worked through an intensive programme at Lilleshall.

Keith Blunt

In 1997, Blunt was head coach at the Centre of Excellence in Lilleshall in England.


Graeme Dell

In the early 1990s Dell worked as a regional coach for The FA as part of their Centres of Excellence Programme where he was involved in the player review and selection process for each years intake of The FA National School at Lilleshall, eventually becoming part of Technical Director Keith Blunt's Final assessment staff.

Kenny Beech

His early arrival at league level brought him England youth trials at Lilleshall and three weeks as a triallist with Manchester United.

Rhys Evans

He also spent time at Lilleshall rehabilitation centre before his comeback to the first team in late 2005, when he again established himself.


see also