FootballCV Football Academy | Trials and Open Days

MANAGING DIRECTOR | GRAHAM STARMER

One of the founders and directors of footballcv.com since inception in 2000. Previously Club Secretary of Kettering Town Football Club having been Sport and Leisure Services Manager at the University College Northampton for six years. Director of Burndine Sales and Services, a family business whose main activity is business and management consultancy and is also involved in property management and investment.

FOOTBALL CONSULTANT | ANDY SINTON

Andy Sinton joined the FootballCV Academy in the capacity of ‘football consultant’ in the summer of 2009.

Andy was spotted playing at school by professional football club scouts whilst also playing for boys club Cramlington Juniors. He was signed by Brentford F.C in 1985 for £25,000 and later was signed for QPR by Trevor Francis in 1989 for £350,000 and went on to play 160 league games scoring 22 goals. Andy also played for Sheffield Wednesday and Tottenham Hotspur.

Andy won 12 England caps and once gave up the chance to join Arsenal.

Andy is currently First Team Manager of AFC Telford in the Conference North and will be visiting the FootballCV Academy throughout the season to coach the players and pass on advice and experience he gained as a top-level player.

ACADEMY MANAGER | MARTIN HARRIS

Martin has worked for footballcv.com for over five years as a coach but joined on a full-time basis in 2007 to aid in the development of the business.

Martin is a holder of the FA Coaching Certificate, Basic Treatmnent of Injury and has gained qualifications in SAQ. Martin started his coaching career at a local junior team managing and coaching youth teams at most age groups before moving onto work at Kettering Town FC. During his nine seasons at Kettering, he has worked with age groups from U10's up to and including the U18's. Whilst at the club he has been Assistant Development Officer, during which time he was fully responsible for the development of it's Junior teams from the U12's to the U16's. Martin then moved on to work within the backroom staff for the Senior Team at Kettering Town, working with the likes of Paul Gascoigne, Paul Davies and Ron Atkinson. In 2005 Martin flew to American and spent a period of time coaching in Chicago, Detriot, Indianapolis and Milwaukee. He too holds the Child Protection Certificate and CRB check.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND EVENTS MANAGER | KEVIN HARMER

Kevin joined the company, full-time, in the spring of 2006 following two years spent as Club Secretary at Football Conference club Kettering Town FC. During his time at Kettering Town, Kevin got the chance to work with some of the biggest names in football such as Paul Gascoigne and Ron Atkinson, as well as experiencing all aspects of running a professional football club.

In 2003, Kevin attained a BA Honours degree in Physical Education and Sport from the University of Greenwich, which is backed up by the FA Emergency Aid Certificate, FA Child Protection Certificate, FA Level One Coaching Certificate and CRB Certificate. Whilst completing his studies at university, Kevin played a major role in delivering the NIKE (UK) ‘Scorpion Knockout Tournament’ at the then ‘Millenium Dome’ as well as coaching for both Charlton Athletic and Northampton Town ‘Football In The Community’ projects.

Within his current FootballCV role, Kevin is responsible for sourcing new venues and facilities for our Trials events, creating business partnerships with progressive organisations and he has also visited the USA and Czech Republic to strengthen partnerships with clubs in those countries.

FINANCE MANAGER | HELEN THOMPSON

Helen Thompson has been a director of Rushden & Diamonds Football Club since the Supporters Trust took over the Club from R Griggs & Co Ltd. Previously Helen was Operations and Human Resources Director for two large pension companies having been in the finance industry for twenty years.

Helen has a Masters degree and is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Personnel and Development.

Helen has been a supporter of local football for the past forty years and recalls serving bovril and tea at two old pennies a cup back in the 1960's!

HEAD COACH | DANNY NICHOLLS

Danny has previously managed Hemel Hempstead Town and Aylesbury United in the Southern Premier League and is First Team Coach at Corby Town in the Conference North. Danny has helped his teams win the Southern League, Runners-up in the Conference North and several Cup competitions.

In recent years he has also coached at Northampton Town and Kettering Town and has developed players who now play in the Premier League and Championship and as a player played at semi-pro level for Bedford Town and Marlow.

Danny holds the UEFA 'A' licence and is a qualified SAQ instructor. In addition to this he is a Level One Educator, First Aider and has completed the Child Protection Course and CRB check.

During his time to date at the FootballCV Academy Danny has been instrumental in Emmanuel Oyeleke, Zach Farr and Sam Conway signing for pro clubs and in FootballCV Reds winning their first piece of silverware with the Central Conference League Cup in April 2010.

ACADEMY COACH | EDDIE MCGOLDRICK

Eddie McGoldrick started out in non league, before moving into the Football League with Northampton Town, where he collected a Fourth Division title medal in 1987.

Following a successful spell at Crystal Palace, where he added a Second Division playoff final and Zenith Data Systems Cup winners medal to his collection, he moved to Arsenal and made his debut in the Charity Shield against Manchester United on 7th August 1993. During his first season he played 38 games, including a substitute appearance in Arsenal’s European Cup Winners Cup final win over Parma.

Capped 15 times at senior international level for the Republic of Ireland; Eddie was a member of Ireland's 1994 World Cup squad.

He left Arsenal for Manchester City in 1996. The move was initially on loan, becoming permanent on 18th October 1996 following a £300,000 transfer. He retired from professional football in 1999, though he had short spells as manager of Corby Town in 2000 and Bashley in 2003.

In 2008 Eddie returned to Northampton Town as the clubs under-14s manager, before moving up to coach the U16’s the following year.

GOALKEEPING COACH | IAN PLEDGER

Ian started playing in goal at an early age and represented his County at every age group from the age of 8 until the age of 16 years old. Ian impressed that much that Luton Town FC (Then in the old 1st Division) offered him a 3 year contract. However a badly broken leg sadly finished his professional career before it really began. Ian has since played for some of the biggest semi professional clubs in his area that include, Stamford town, Spalding united, Wisbech Town and Corby town.

Two years ago he retired to become assistant manager at Stamford in the Unibond league, and then followed the manager the following season to become assistant manager at Quorn Town also in the Northern League.

As a coach he holds the F.A Goalkeepers Coaching Certififcate, F.A Level 1 coaching badge, First Aid and CRB.

STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH | BECCA MCLACHLAN

Becca is a former National Gymnast and has over 25 years experience in the fitness industry winning numerous industry awards.

Becca is an advanced trainer qualifying with the National Academy of Sports Medicine and also has experience lecturing in Sports Therapy at Northampton College. She has her own Fitness Studio in Northampton and as well as being an advanced exercise to music teacher is also an Extreme Kettlebells Coach, Vibe Cycle Instructor, Charles Poliquin Biosignature Coach and Les Mills Body Pump Instructor.

COACH & PHYSIOTHERAPIST | CHRIS PALMER

A qualified Sports Therapist and Sports Masseur, having trained at the 'Medical Centre of Excellence' at Lilleshall before going on to gain a degree in 'Sports Therapist' at Salford University. He has worked in the sports injury/rehabilitation departments at a number of both professional and semi professional football clubs, such as Cambridge City, Luton Town, Norwich City, Kettering Town, Rushden & Diamonds and Spalding United.

Chris is also a qualified football coach, currently undertaking his UEFA 'B' licence coaching badge.

RESIDENTIAL MANAGER | ANN DYTE

Ann joined the academy in the summer of 2009 and has been involved with sport for most her life having played County Netball and was Captain of Northants Ladies & Girls Tennis Squads.

Football has always been a major part of Ann and her family’s life and supports Chelsea!

The past 20 years she has worked within the Criminal Justice system as Manager of the Enforcement team, trained as a Drug & Alcohol Abuse counsellor for CAN, and been Chairman of the Youth Offending team Panels. Ann also has an accounting background having been the Treasurer of a National Trade Union (PCS) and holds a full CRB check and has worked with young people for most of her adult life.

RESIDENTIAL HEAD WARDEN | MICK DYTE

Mick has worked for the academy at the residential lodge since 2008 and also runs his own driving school practice.

Mick played for Rushden and was both a player and manager of Wellingborough Town at Southern League level and supports Blackpool!

ACADEMY ADMINISTRATOR & FIXTURE SECRETARY | KIEREN WILLS

Kieren joined FootballCV in April 2011. He has always had a keen interest in Football and after completing a diploma in Sports Therapy & Personal Training, he went on to gain a BA (Hons) in Football Studies at the University of Bedfordshire. Having worked for many years as a fitness instructor, he has first aid qualifications and experience, child protection certificate, and is fully is CRB checked. Kieren will be present at most FootballCV trials events, and also spends alot of time with the FootballCV Academy.