Sidi Sanogo Fofana, a current UCLan student, plays for Macclesfield FC and was recently featured in a BBC documentary titled 'Robbie Savage – Making Macclesfield FC'.
The prime-time documentary follows how Robbie Savage and Rob Smethurst take the club from a mismanaged, penniless and 'left to rot' state into a flourishing club that's climbing up the league.
Sidi heard about the BBC film opportunity when he was signed to the club in Summer 2021. He was excited to get involved as being featured on the BBC as a non-league player is rare. He plays for Macclesfield FC, playing at the North West Counties Football League (Premier Division) against Charnock Richard, Northwich Victoria, and Skelmersdale. He's proud to play for this club.
"I remember at the first game of the season at home against Burscough FC. They filmed the game and our team talk before walking on the pitch. I can't describe the feeling I had during that day, it was amazing. This was the first-ever win of the new era of the club"
— Sidi Sanogo-Fofana, BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching & Performance
Sidi, who lives in Blackburn, currently studies BSc Sports Coaching & Performance course at the University of Central Lancashire. Having such a great University on his doorstep was a straightforward decision-maker for him. He was really impressed with the sport teaching facilities on the Preston Campus, the Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre and UCLan Sports Arena.
Since the documentary's release, Sidi has felt very motivated and has received a lot of praise from his family and friends. It's given him a key insight into what the football industry is like to work in and helped him develop a plan for his future career.
To find out more about our Sport Coaching & Leadership degrees, visit our website or call us on +44 (0)1772 892400
"Personally, this is a step up for me both division and club ways. I was playing a division lower last season and playing for Macclesfield FC makes it feel like I've moved up more than one step."
— Sidi Sanogo-Fofana, BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching & Performance