TWO semi-professional footballers — who are best friends — have gone into business.

Brian Dutton and Callum Hart, both 30 years old, are launching Salisbury Soccer Schools - a coaching academy for budding footballers.

The defenders, who played for Salisbury City for five years in Southern Premier, Conference South and Conference Premier, have been contemplating on setting up a coaching company for a while, and recently decided to put the idea into practice.

The first camp takes place in February half-term (Monday 15 to Friday 19) at Salisbury Cattle Market, Netherhampton Road.

“We wanted to set something up which is different,” explained Dutton, who is currently undertaking his A-licence course and coaches at Sparsholt College and Portsmouth Under-13s.

“The coaching that we are going to be providing isn’t going to be the run-of-the-mill coaching that you will find anywhere else. Callum and I will be providing the coaching. We’ve being footballers for 15 years or so and both played in the Football League, me at Cambridge United and Cal for AFC Bournemouth, and will use the experience from our careers to pass onto the children we coach.”

“We are also going to do one-on-ones, afterschool coaching and birthday parties.

“We believe we can make it work.

“We can bring our knowledge into the sessions. We’ve got the wealth of experience, played under Premier League managers, got great sessions and topics, and we can deliver them well.”

The course caters for youngsters, of all abilities, aged between five and 14 years old.

Each day runs from 9am to 3pm and, at the end of the week, top prizes will be handed out by a high-flying manager from the Football League.

Both Dutton, a defender for Conference South side Havant and Waterlooville and Hart of new club Salisbury FC, admit coaching is something they want to pursue when their playing days come to a halt.

Dutton added: “I’m definitely looking at the picture for when I finish and I’m not necessarily saying I’m retiring this year or anything but I’m looking to prepare myself for when I finish playing.

“I’m at the stage now where I will go year-by-year.”

The cost of the course is £14 a day and £60 for the week.

To register, contact dutts823@gmail.com or call 07873584058.

For more information, visit salisburysoccerschools.co.uk

  • The two will also be delivering courses in the Easter and summer holidays.