29th May 2025
Congratulations to Harley Faulconbridge on Signing with Chelsea Academy!
Thame United are incredibly proud to announce that Harley Faulconbridge has signed with the Chelsea Academy following an outstanding trial period with the club.
Harley’s football journey began in 2011 when he joined Thame United, playing for the Under-6 Mini Kites. A decade later, in 2021, he became one of the first players to join the newly formed Thame United Junior Premier League Under-10 team. During the 2023/24 season, Harley’s talent earned him a place in the league representative squad, where he was first scouted at a tournament in Hertfordshire.
In October 2023, Harley was invited to join Chelsea’s Integration Recruitment Programme, training weekly at Hendon under the guidance of Chelsea’s Academy coaches. His progression continued into the 2024/25 season, during which he was retained by Chelsea. His natural ability drew attention from several top clubs, including Arsenal, QPR, Southampton, Fulham, Reading, and Watford.
Chelsea acted swiftly, inviting Harley to their Cobham training centre for an eight-week trial. He made his debut in a triangular tournament against Manchester United and Arsenal, where he made a strong impression. This was followed by standout performances against top sides such as Liverpool, Fulham, Ipswich, Brighton, Inter Milan, and QPR.
Following the successful trial, Harley was officially offered a place at Chelsea Academy, which he proudly accepted on May 20th. He will now join their Under-14 squad for the 2025/26 season as a full academy player.
It has been an incredible journey for Harley, from the grassroots of Thame United to one of the most prestigious academies in the country. Everyone at Thame United congratulates him on this fantastic achievement and wishes him continued success in his footballing future.
