Currently studying at Linfield College in Portland, Oregon, the students spent two days (14 to 15 January) at the University of Bedfordshire, including an afternoon trip to the MK Dons stadium, as part of a three week educational trip around England.

Professor Randy Grant, Professor of Economics at Linfield College said: “We’ve gone around the country, visiting teams, looking at how clubs operate, and immersing ourselves in the experience of English football and English culture.”

Bedfordshire’s Football Studies course hosted the visitors for two days, allowing them to join in on two sessions.

“I think the students have learned an immeasurable amount about how English football works in terms of the transfer market, how clubs operate financially and what their philosophies are in terms of development. But perhaps more importantly, what life is like in the UK,” continued Prof Grant.

The students were also treated to a bespoke discussion about the vast differences in how football leagues are owned and operated in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Erin Moller one of visiting soccer students said: “We’ve really liked coming onto this campus, it’s a bit different to what we are used to.

“The class we sat in on these past few days was very informal, very discussion orientated. I’ve had a lot more lectured based classes back home, with less discussion that are more formal, so that was interesting. We all got to throw in ideas”.

Prof Grant summarised the students visit: “Simon (Robinson) has done a brilliant job of filling us in on all sorts of dimensions about English football. We’ve also had the opportunity to go visit the MK Dons stadium and will be seeing a game there on Saturday.”