Meet The Team
We're delighted to introduce the team behind Ambition Football.
Paul Hart says: "We've selected some of the best people in football to help you develop as a coach and give the best knowledge to the players of the future. Our members have access to all our experts so they can tap-in to their wealth of football knowledge - it's like having your own personal backroom team."
The Gaffer
Paul Hart - Manager of Premier League club Portsmouth FC and one of the most respected coaches in Europe.
Ian Woan - Youth Team Coach at Portsmouth FC
John Keeley - Goalkeeping Coach at Portsmouth FC
Paul Barton - Development Centre Manager at Portsmouth FC
Nick Marshall - Academy Director at Nottingham Forest FC
Coach the Coach
Ian Kerr - North East Representative for the PFA. Ian has been involved in the Professional game for 17 years and is UEFA A qualified and a coach educator at Level 1 and 2. Ian has also worked for the FA providing coaching opportunities at grassroots level.
Matthew Murphy - Head of Education and Welfare at Hull City FC. Matthew will be on hand to offer advice and guidance on the educational development of young players and student athletes. He is also on hand to help our members with BTEC courses and NVQs. Matthew is an expert on the performance profiling of players, incorporating technical/ tactical/ physical and psychological aspects of their play.
Jon Slater - Head of Education and Welfare at Portsmouth FC. Jon brings 32 years teaching experience to the role of Education Officer. All Jon’s career has been spent working with the 7 - 18 age range. He is passionate about the development of young players and coaches.
Matthew Wain - York City FC Education Officer and Course Leader for the BTEC First Diploma in Sport. Matthew will offer advice and guidance on education pathways and sports courses our members are undertaking.
Paul Hurst - The FA Ridings Coach of the Year. Paul is our grassroots advisor, he has a wealth of experience in running grassroots clubs and can advise on any subject from picking your team to attaining Charter Standard.
Richard Weston - UEFA qualified coach, now based in USA, here to give advice and support for any coaches considering going to America either as a coach or on a scholarship.
Beags Talks Balls
Peter Beagrie - former Everton and Bradford City legend, Peter will be sharing his own unique insight into the game in his area, Beags Talks Balls, with topical issues, competitions and the opportunity to ask questions of your footballing heroes.
Joining Peter are Chelsea and England hero Kerry Dixon, ex Everton and Chelsea player Graham Stuart, Dean Windass, veteran of over 600 first team games and scorer of the goal that took Hull City into the Premier League and Alan Thompson, best known for his career with Aston Villa and Celtic.
We're also delighted to welcome former Republic of Ireland skipper, turned pundit, Andy Townsend and Sky TV's Gary Newborn.
Backroom Staff
Dr Tom Little PHD MSc BSc Dip CSCS - Our resident Fitness Coach, Tom will be providing regular hints and tips on how to get your team to the peak of fitness.
Nicky Gilbert - Nicky is one of the very few Registered Sport and Exercise Nutritionists in the UK. Nicky will advise on nutrition every fortnight in her section, You Are What You Eat.
Jon Finn - Our Performance Consultant, Jon will help you and your team get into the psychology of winning.
Oi Ref!
Ask Steve Lodge about his refereeing career in the Premier League and the World Cup, and our ref at grassroots level, Ben Ballantyne. Ben is an FA Level 4 Referee and was the youngest ever referee in the UK to act as 4th Official in a Football League game.
Coming soon...
Disability Football with Steve Johnson, twice named World Amputee Player Of the Year and Ladies Football with Julie Callaghan, Sheffield United Ladies Centre Director and England Deaf Ladies Head Coach.
