The growing collection of silverware is a glistening beacon.

The Robbie Fowler Education and Football Academy (FEFA) goes from strength to strength.

They are the English Colleges FA national champions and winners of the Dubai Super Cup.

Some three-and-a-half years after the Kop icon launched his Wavertree Sports Park-based Academy, the success just keeps on coming.

"To become national champions was a massive achievement for us," said Scott Fowler, the Academy's operations manager and Robbie's brother.

"On top of that, our second team won the Merseyside Elite division for the second season running, the Elite Cup and the Everton Senior Shield so they did the treble.

"Our under-17s also won their league for the second successive year. In total we brought home seven trophies over the course of last season."

Fowler, who plundered 183 goals for the Reds, was at Port Vale to watch the youngsters beat York College 4-1 in the national final.

"It was great to share that day with him," said Academy principal Brian McGorry, the former Hereford and Torquay midfielder.

"Robbie's commitment to what we do here is stronger than ever. Through him and his contacts, our student experience is second to none and couldn't be achieved anywhere else.

"When chatting to our students, the first thing he asks is 'how's the education going?' Robbie is passionate about education and football for young people.

"A lot of the fundraising Robbie does helps to pay for the qualifications such as becoming a lifeguard. He contributes a lot and does a fantastic job for these kids.

Robbie Fowler helping Liverpool youngsters realise their football dreams
Robbie Fowler helping Liverpool youngsters realise their football dreams

"When we went to Dubai, he did a special night at Anfield to help fund the trip because some of the students just wouldn't have been able to afford to go."

Among the individual success stories is Jamie Davis. Two years ago he joined FEFA after being released by Crewe Alexandra and this summer landed a four-year scholarship in New York. Graduates Gilson Amaral, Raj Uppal and James Tyrer are also studying and playing in the States.

"It's fantastic for Jamie and for us," added McGorry, who is a UEFA A Licence coach.

"He's gone to a top university and we're very proud.

"From our first intake of students, 80% went on to university. This year we had more following the USA scholarships pathway, employment and apprenticeships. We have actually employed three of our students.

"We have facilitated nearly 30 students onto degree courses. Twenty five students who came to us at 16 have gone into employment, some getting jobs directly through the extra qualifications only we offer.

"Ultimately, we exist to get the education right and to help these youngsters gain the qualifications and the personal skills needed to get employment.

"We were rated good by our first Ofsted inspection in February and we were very close to getting outstanding. Some football colleges have been getting a bad name because the commitment to education just isn't there but that's not the case here."

Robbie Fowler helping Liverpool youngsters realise their football dreams
Robbie Fowler helping Liverpool youngsters realise their football dreams

Kane Drummond is among the current crop. The Toxteth youngster was released by Liverpool at the age of 16.

McGorry said: "Initially, Kane suffered from a real hangover after being told 'you're not going to be a professional footballer here'.

"He came to us with no qualifications and has done really well. He is excelling in football and having completed his Level 2 course is now doing a Level 3 course.

"We remain in close contact with (Liverpool Academy director) Alex Inglethorpe about him. Liverpool feel like they have a duty to try to help him and they've had him in helping to coach the younger kids at the Academy. We really value the support we get from Alex Inglethorpe and Phil Roscoe at Liverpool."

Seven FEFA students played semi-professional football last season. The Academy has a blossoming link up with non-league club Warrington Town.

"We're running their under-21s this season and it gives our lads a pathway to the first team there," Fowler said.

"Our head of performance, Mark Beesley, is Warrington Town's assistant manager and this only strengthens our relationship with the club. We also have the full support of the manager (Paul Carden) and chairman (Toby Macormac). Many of our students have already made appearances for the first team.

"The English Colleges League we play in is tough. It's full of lads who have been released by top clubs and trying to find their way back into the game."

Robbie Fowler helping Liverpool youngsters realise their football dreams
Robbie Fowler helping Liverpool youngsters realise their football dreams

FEFA's first team are coached by Carl Macauley, the former Vauxhall Motors boss who is currently manager of Witton Albion. Macauley previously worked with the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool FC's Academy.

"There's a lot of expertise here and we are committed to offering the best coaching and football experience for our students," Fowler said.

"Kieron Lovelady is an ex student of FEFA who we employ full-time now. He has progressed under our expert staff and now coaches our second team and Warrington Under-21s. He is a great example to students in Year 11 or 12 about what can be achieved by working hard and listening.

"We also have two of our ex-students, Alex Noonan and Matty Coughlan, employed as development coaches. Alex was our national cup winning captain and Matty was also part of that team. They both currently play at semi-pro level. We are delighted to be able to offer these job opportunities for our students."

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FEFA took on another 60 teenagers from across Merseyside in September and there are grand plans to keep on expanding.

"We want to become a college with 250 students - a strong sustainable model where we offer even more qualifications," McGorry said.

"We have a great location in Wavertree with the train station nearby. The facilities are amazing, actually better than a lot of professional academies.

"Currently, we're ranked No 1 football college in the country. Everything we said we were going to do when we launched three years ago, we've done. Now we need to push on from that and create even more success stories for our students and their families."

* To find out more about FEFA go to: www.thefefa.co.uk