Where it started
Built from experience
GT7 was founded in 2018 by Shaun Gardner and Garry Thompson, starting with 34 local players.
Both had grown up playing football in the area and knew that accessing good coaching and opportunities often meant travelling further afield. They wanted local players to have more of those opportunities closer to home.
That meant good coaching, but also creating the right opportunities for players to test themselves, experience different levels of football and see where the game could take them.
GT7 today
Football for the long run
GT7 has changed considerably since 2018, but staying true to its values throughout that growth is something Shaun and Garry are particularly proud of.
The development of girls football has become an important part of that story too. GT7 has created a route through youth football and into GT7 Ladies, with ten players already making the move into the adult game.
Education has added another route, with programmes involving Dallam School and Kendal College giving young people the opportunity to combine football with their studies.
How we turn up matters, these are the values we play by
Bring Energy
Positivity is contagious
Be Brave
Take on challenges, make mistakes and keep going
Lift others
Confidence grows when we support each other
Stay Humble
Respect the game and everyone in it
Meet Garry and Shaun
Two different football journeys. One GT7.
Garry Thompson
Co-Founder | UEFA A Licence
Garry grew up in Kendal and played his junior football for Wattsfield before going on to make more than 750 senior appearances.
His professional career included Morecambe, Scunthorpe United, Bradford City, Notts County and Wycombe Wanderers, with five appearances at Wembley along the way.
Shaun Gardner
Co-Founder | UEFA B Licence
Shaun has played more than 300 semi-professional games, including spells with AFC Liverpool, Kendal Town and Penrith AFC.
His coaching experience began before GT7 through No.7 Coaching, working in schools through PE lessons and football sessions, and has also included coaching at the 2018 CONIFA World Cup in London.
Our game so far
2018
GT7 begins with approximately 37 young players2019
The growth of the academy leads to a move to Kendal Rugby Club2020
Beginning of the girls academy2021
Ladies FC founded2022
GT7 takes part in its first tournament in France2024
GT7 begins partnerships with Dallam School and Sedburgh School2026
The girls academy moves back to Dallam SchoolOnwards
More opportunities for young people to experience football the GT7 wayThe easiest way to understand GT7 is to experience it
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