Part of Salford City College Group

3rd December 2020

Last month, students from Pendleton Sixth Form College and Eccles Sixth Form College got the chance to take part in a virtual Q&A session with Manchester United football legends, Dennis Irwin and Andrew Cole.

Throughout the session, students were able to ask the pair questions about their careers within the football industry. Covering topics such as nutrition and life after football, the students were able to gain a better understanding of the life of a footballer.

Football Education Manager, Ciarán Donnelly, said: “The students getting the opportunity to listen to the Ambassadors and ask questions will be another chance for them to learn from people who have been at the very top of their profession.”

“These students will study Sport as part of their course and the football programme at Eccles Sixth Form College. The Principal at the College wanted to shape those we work with as people, not just students. In order to achieve this, we want to help them experience the world beyond the classroom.”

Football Education Manager, Ciarán Donnelly


Dennis Irwin is an Irish Footballer who is best known for his long and successful career at Manchester United, where he established himself as a player winning European trophies between 1990 and 2002. Irwin is the joint most successful Irish footballer in history, a record he shares with fellow Manchester United player Roy Keane, having won 19 trophies over the duration of his career.

Andrew Cole is an English professional footballer who played as a Striker. His professional career lasted from 1988 to 2008, and he is mostly remembered for his time with Manchester United, who paid a British record transfer fee to sign him from Newcastle United. Cole spent six years with Manchester United and won eight major trophies, including the Treble of the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League in 1999.

Explaining the aims of the event and the Foundation, Ciarán added: “Our aim is for these experiences to help shape these young people in terms of who they are, while trying to broaden their goals and aspirations.”

“With this in mind, alongside their studies and representing the college and Manchester United Foundation on match days, the students also complete coaching courses, volunteer on various Foundation programmes, along with having the opportunity to work for the club on match days.”

If you are interested in studying Sport at Eccles Sixth Form College, apply now or contact our Admissions Team on 0161 631 5050.