April 13th, 2009

(Buffalo, NY)--- Buffalo City FC's Official Academy in Spain, AFA Marbella is one of the best Academy in Europe,

AFA Marbella has been established now for 12 years. It is the largest and most successful International Football Academy in southern Spain. AFA is working hard to be more prominent in the community and offer everyone the opportunity to enjoy their soccer, enjoy some success and learn about team work, individual expression and sportsmanship as well as producing players that progress to top professional European clubs.

Buffalo City FC's Head Coach Mike Share was a former AFA Marbella Coach and knows why AFA is classed as one of the best Academy in Europe. "AFA is a very unique academy, with top class coaches and a international pool of players." Share also noted "The methods AFA use are perfect to help players progress to the professional level."

Below we look at the coaches that make AFA Marbella the club that it is today:

Buffalo City FC's European Scout Adviser Craig Mander is AFA's Academy Director and General Manager. Mander has over 11 years experience of youth and academy football. An ex youth player in the UK with Stevenage Borough, Craig became an academy coach for Stevenage during the late 90's and has worked with many professional clubs, Mander is also AFA's U-19 Coach .

Jeff Wood is the Coaching Director of the Academy. Wood is an ex professional goalkeeper for Charlton Athletic who managed Brighton in the UK and has been working with the FA in Gibraltar.

Ex Fulham Community Coach Peter Jones joined AFA from Benalmadena from Spain. Jones is extremely important to the future growth of the AFA Marbella.

Vinny Samways a Spurs and Everton legend, won twice the FA Cup. Samways played for several big teams which included Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, Wolves, Birmingham City, Las Palmas, Sevilla FC, Walsall, Algeciras CF as well as representing England five times at U-21 level. Samways had a short spell as Head Coach of Spanish side UD San Pedro, where Buffalo City FC's Head Coach Mike Share played under Samways.

Thomas Noritzsch last season had a fantastic first season at AFA. Noritzsch steered his team into a 3rd Place league finish when it looked like he would go all the way, the team faltered unexpectedly at home however this was good enough to see his team play in the primera division this season. Thomas also managed the team to two finals in both the European Youth Cup in Germany where they lost narrowly after a penalty shootout and in the Federation Cup Final in Malaga after a promising run to the final. Noritzsch AFA's team also lost against Real Madrid 2-1, the winning Real Madrid goal was scored by Zidane Zidane's son.

AFA Marbella do not just have a impressive coaching staff but they also play against the best teams in Europe. Last December AFA attended the prestiges cup in Rome, Italy. Italian giants Juventus, Atalanta and Inter Milan were AFA's opposition. AFA beat Atalanta 3-1 and Italian giants Juventus 3-0, They then went on to draw 1-1 against Inter Milan, which was enough to be crowned Champions.

Buffalo City FC's looks forward to have their Official Academy AFA Marbella to come to Buffalo this summer, We are sure Buffalo will give AFA Marbella a warm welcome. Make sure you to check back soon for more information on Buffalo City FC's Official Academy AFA Marbella and where you will be able to watch the AFA future stars of soccer in Buffalo.

Buffalo City Football Club is Buffalo's premier soccer organization since 2008. Combining a winning tradition on the pitch with a standard of excellence within the community, BCFC remains the height of achievement in professionally run sport. For more information please contact Scott Frauenhofer at sfrauenhofer@buffalocityfc.com or at (716) 860-3115.