Stockport launch innovative ‘Showcase Event’ for released U16s
Written by
Simon Austin
December 24, 2025
Stockport County are launching an innovative Under-16 ‘Showcase Event’ this Christmas to give early opportunities to released Under-16s ahead of next year’s exit trials.
At the end of the season, Foundation Phase players will either be retained or released by their clubs, with the vast majority exiting and only a small fraction getting full-time two-year scholarships.
Released players do get a second chance to impress in exit trials, which are traditionally held in the spring and summer and attended by scouts from professional, semi-pro and non-league clubs.
The idea of Stockport County’s ‘Showcase Event’ is to ‘get ahead’ of these exit trials. It is being held at Stockport Sports Village in Woodley from 10am to 2pm on Saturday December 27th.
In total, 67 released players have registered from Category Two and Three clubs in the North West, as well as one private Academy. Five teams will take part in 10 x 30-minute matches over the course of the event.
“Our aim is to provide these players with additional opportunities to showcase their ability in a competitive, game-realistic environment and to support their ongoing development pathways,” Stockport said.
The event fits in with the club’s overall brand of ‘different class,’ offering something different in a classy way.
Clubs that have registered players so far include Salford City, Huddersfield Town, Doncaster Rovers, Shrewsbury Town, Preston North End, Port Vale, Crewe Alexandra, Wrexham and hosts Stockport.
- For more information contact Stockport County Academy Manager Damien Allen at damien.allen@stockportcounty.com
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