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Meet THE TEAM

Carl Lawson

Meet Carl Lawson Founder of CL Football Academy, Carl Lawson, the founder of CL Football Academy, created the coaching business in 2023 after stepping away from his own football career due to injury in 2022. His mission is to pass on his extensive knowledge, skills, and passion for the game to the next generation of players, helping them improve and reach their full potential on and off the pitch. Carl’s football journey began at the age of 11 when he joined Sunderland AFC’s Academy of Light. By 16, he earned a scholarship with the club, and at 20, he was offered a professional contract. During his time at Sunderland, Carl had the opportunity to train and play alongside some of the best and most talented players in the game today. His career highlights include featuring in Sunderland’s first team during 2014 preseason and scoring one of the winning goals against Hartlepool United.  Carl also played in the EFL Cup and had the privil

Rees Greenwood

Rees Greenwood - England. Meet Rees Greenwood Coach Rees Greenwood joined CL Football Academy in 2024, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and experience that greatly enhances the academy’s coaching staff. Having shared the pitch with Carl at Sunderland AFC, the two became not only teammates but also close friends. Over the years, their shared experiences in the professional game have led to a strong partnership, both on and off the pitch. Rees’s expertise, paired with Carl’s vision for the academy, makes them an unstoppable team in developing young football talent. Rees began his football journey at Sunderland AFC at the age of 8. By 16, he had earned a scholarship, and just a year later, at the age of 17, he signed his first professional contract with the club. His breakthrough season came in 2016, when he made his England Under-20 debut against Canada, playing alongside players such as Marcus Rashford, Mason Holgate, and Ola Aina. That same year, Rees made his Premier League

Meet Carl Lawson

Founder of CL Football Academy 

 

Carl Lawson, the founder of CL Football Academy, created the coaching business in 2023 after stepping away from his own football career due to injury in 2022. His mission is to pass on his extensive knowledge, skills, and passion for the game to the next generation of players, helping them improve and reach their full potential on and off the pitch.

 

Carl’s football journey began at the age of 11 when he joined Sunderland AFC’s Academy of Light. By 16, he earned a scholarship with the club, and at 20, he was offered a professional contract. During his time at Sunderland, Carl had the opportunity to train and play alongside some of the best and most talented players in the game today. His career highlights include featuring in Sunderland’s first team during 2014 preseason and scoring one of the winning goals against Hartlepool United. 

 

Carl also played in the EFL Cup and had the privilege of competing at iconic stadiums like Old Trafford, Anfield, and Wembley — experiences that young players can only dream of. Carl throughout his career has had the opportunity to play against Premier League proven players such as Declan Rice, Luke Shaw & Ruben Loftus Cheek to name a few. Carl considers himself extremely fortunate to have had these opportunities and experiences and enjoys sharing those moments and insights with the players at his academy to inspire them.

 

After leaving Sunderland AFC in 2017, Carl went on to trial with clubs like Middlesbrough and West Ham, and even played in the prestigious HKFC Soccer Sevens tournament in Hong Kong. He later continued his career with semi-professional teams such as Whitby Town, Seaham Red Star, and Consett FC. One of the standout moments of his semi-professional career was playing in the 2020-21 FA Vase Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, where they competed against Hebburn Town.

 

Carl’s experiences, both on and off the pitch, have shaped his coaching philosophy. He believes in creating a supportive and challenging environment where young players can develop not only their technical skills but also their love for the game. His academy offers aspiring footballers a chance to learn from someone who has played at the highest levels, with the ultimate goal of helping them grow, succeed, and make their own mark in the world of football. ​​​​​

Meet Rees Greenwood

 

Coach Rees Greenwood joined CL Football Academy in 2024, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and experience that greatly enhances the academy’s coaching staff. Having shared the pitch with Carl at Sunderland AFC, the two became not only teammates but also close friends. Over the years, their shared experiences in the professional game have led to a strong partnership, both on and off the pitch. Rees’s expertise, paired with Carl’s vision for the academy, makes them an unstoppable team in developing young football talent.

 

Rees began his football journey at Sunderland AFC at the age of 8. By 16, he had earned a scholarship, and just a year later, at the age of 17, he signed his first professional contract with the club. His breakthrough season came in 2016, when he made his England Under-20 debut against Canada, playing alongside players such as Marcus Rashford, Mason Holgate, and Ola Aina. That same year, Rees made his Premier League debut for Sunderland AFC, playing against Watford FC at Vicarage Road—a significant milestone in his career.

 

One of Rees’s career highlights came in February 2016, when he was named U21’s Player of the Month, a well-deserved recognition of his exceptional talent and contribution to the professional game. These achievements as a young professional footballer are a testament to his skill, dedication, and work ethic, all of which he now passes on to the next generation of players through his coaching.

 

After leaving Sunderland AFC in 2018, Rees embarked on an exciting journey abroad, playing in Scotland, Iceland, and Dubai, where he gained valuable international experience. Upon returning home, Rees decided to explore a new avenue in football by transitioning into coaching—joining CL Football Academy at the perfect moment as the academy was looking to expand.

 

Now, as a coach at CL Football Academy, Rees is committed to helping young players develop their technical abilities, confidence, and passion for the game. His personal experiences as a professional footballer, combined with his coaching insights, make him an invaluable asset to the academy and an inspiring figure for aspiring young players.

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