I started playing football when I was 5 years old. I played for Millwall FC from U7 to U10 and then I went on to Ebbsfleet United from U11 to U14. During the U13 season I trialled at Gillingham FC and Reading FC. During the U14 season I had trials at premier league clubs Chelsea FC, Arsenal FC, Tottenham FC and Fulham FC. Whilst on trial for Arsenal FC, I played against Leyton Orient who were in League One at this point and after the game they offered me a two-year contract on the spot - I would have been a fool to turn this down so I accepted.
During the U15/U16 season I was on the two-year contract with Leyton Orient, at 15 years old I trained with the Leyton Orient First Team. Unfortunately, I didn't get offered a scholarship and I dropped out of the professional club level to do a scholarship with Maidstone United. I completed the two-year scholarship from U16 - U18 level. I represented the first team at 17 years of age. When I completed the scholarship, I went into the semi-professional level and signed for non-league first team Faversham Town FC, since then I have been played at semi-professional clubs in the Bostik South league such as Whitstable Town FC, Herne Bay FC, Sittingbourne FC, and Hythe Town FC.
At present - at 23 years of age I have taken a season out of football to concentrate on my business, as it is growing every day. Next season, I will be looking to go back to semi-professional football and potentially be looking to gain a player/manager role.

What do I do for a living:

I currently run my own coaching company in Kent called Football Futures. This is something I had always wanted to do - from playing at a high level when I was a youngster, I am passionate to help as many youngsters achieve their dream of reaching a professional status and help develop as many football players as I can. At Football Futures, we deliver professional sessions on a weekly basis and we strive to provide each individual with the perfect foundation to support, grow and maximise potential. We run various different sessions such as school programmes in infant/primary and secondary schools, development and advanced academies, 1-1/group sessions, birthday parties, soccer schools, match analysis and a football and education academy programme (currently run in partnership with Whitstable Town FC). I am also a Gillingham FC scout for ages U7 - U18.

What do I do within Whitstable Town FC:

As mentioned above, I currently run the Whitstable Town FC football and education academy programme. This is a two-year course for ages 16-19 years old. This is a full-time programme, and players train every day whilst studying their sports qualifications (BTEC). The players train like professionals to help them to reach the next level in their football career and go into semi-professional/professional football. The course runs from Monday to Friday and a typical day for our players is training in the morning, with education completed in the afternoon. We play in one of the strongest leagues out of professional status, against top academies such as West Ham FC, Dartford FC, Crystal Palace FC and many more. We have had two of our players earn a well-deserved trial at league one Fleetwood Town FC and it just goes to show that the opportunities are there if you work hard and have a great attitude.
Our aim is to push as many players into the first team as possible - our current player (Teddy Nelson) is a regular every week, and we have had 3 of our players also represent the first team too.

What do you do within the Junior section:

I am currently the Development Officer for the Junior section, overseeing the development of youth teams and offering my support to the coaches in their session planning and development of their players. The club and myself are currently working on a philosophy to make sure the young players are working their way through the ranks, and once at the age to step into the academy/first team that they have developed and moulded into the player we want at the club and in the first team. The junior section is fantastic and has some very talented players in all age groups, and the future is very bright for some. I am hopeful that we will have a lot of these players in the first team in the near future.

What does your Development Officer role mean:

My role as Development Officer for the Junior section is to ensure the players are receiving the correct training and guidance to develop and have the right platform to improve as players. I make sure there is a progression route for the players once they reach the U16 age and to allow them a pathway into our academy, U23's and first team.

What is my philosophy:

My philosophy is to play attacking football at all times, to play out from the back and into midfield and into strikers. When in possession to be as creative and brave as possible and always wanting to be on the front foot, maintain possession and look to penetrate when the opportunity is there. When out of possession to win the ball back as quickly as possible and to hold a nice compact shape. I like to have as many technical based players as possible, and I will always coach my players to keep the ball on the floor, and to be brave and confident when in possession, as there is nothing better for fans and spectators to see football played on the floor at speed.

What is your ambition for the main club and Juniors:

My aim for the Junior’s is to bring as many players from the ranks into the academy/U23’s/first team as possible. I fully believe young players deserve an opportunity and there is no such thing as them being to too young. If they are good enough, then they are old enough. I want the Junior section to know that there is progression at the end of the Junior’s and I do not want them to think that once they reach a certain age that there is no way forward as there are several progression routes.

My aim for the main club is to see the players go as high as they can up the football ladder, as the club has the perfect foundation and platform for this. Players need time and structure and they need to realise this is a long-term goal and not a short term one .
I want the club to be attractive in the football they play, to bring supporters in and I would like to see as many young players in the first team as possible who have been brought in through the academy as we have some fantastic talent within the club and with the right guidance they can be fantastic players for the club.

What is the best part of your role:

The best part of my role is working with fantastic and talented players on a daily basis. There is nothing better than seeing the players you work with develop and improve and move up the football ladder. I give each player everything I can to ensure that they have the best platform to succeed. I am lucky enough to be working with some top, young talent.

The worst part of my role:

I would say the worst part of my role is trying to please everyone in terms of being everywhere at one time. Unfortunately, due to the demand of my business, it is very hard for me to find spare hours and it can become difficult for me as there is a lot of work that goes on behind the coaching ground which people do not see.

Proudest moment working with Whitstable Town FC:
The proudest moment working with the main club is running the Whitstable Town FC Academy. This is something I really enjoy as I am working with lots of talented players on a daily basis and trying to push them into the first team and a professional level.

Where do I see the club in 5 years time:

I would like to see the club in the Bostik Premier Division, pushing for a play-off spot to reach the national south. The club is in a very good place and as I have mentioned with the correct guidance and structure the club will achieve this in the near future I am sure. I am looking forward to playing a big part in this and bringing as many academy players through in the process.

Ambition within football:

My ambition within football was to be a professional footballer, but unfortunately, I didn’t quite make this happen. I achieved semi-professional football, but I would like to become a manager in the near future and work my way up the levels to become a professional manager. At a young age – I have gained a lot of vital experience within the football and coaching world and this has put me in the right direction to achieving this. My aim is to become the Whitstable Town FC First Team Manager in the near future.

Messages to all our players/coaches/managers and parents:

The club is the place to be, with the current structure at present it is the perfect platform for players to develop who are looking to develop their football careers