David Gill
Position: Co-founder/Director
Supports: Crystal Palace
Coaching qualifications:
- Level 5 Certificate Primary school physical education specialism
- Level 3 Diploma in sports coaching
- UEFA B Licence
- FA Youth Award
- FA Level 2 Talent Identification
- FA Level 1 Futsal
- FA Mentoring Adults
Bio: David has over 15 years experience within the education, professional football and grassroots sector (UK and overseas). He started working within football at the age of 16 and has played/coached at both Youth/Senior semi-professional level. Before co-founding the company, David successfully ran Croydon FC Youth section for a number of years and spent 3 years as a Foundation Phase Academy coach/scout at Fulham FC. Currently, he works in partnered schools teaching a variety of sporting activities. In the 2019/2020 season, he has taken on the roles of U12 Head Coach at Bromley FC Academy and Lead Area Co-ordinator Scout at Brighton Hove Albion.
Future CPD: FA Youth Advanced Award & FA Talent ID Level 3
Ben Uzun
Position: Co-founder/director
Supports: Chelsea
Coaching qualifications:
- Level 5 Certificate Primary school physical education specialism
- Level 3 Diploma in sports coaching
- FA Level 2 coaching football
- FA Level 2 Goalkeepers
- FA Level 1 Talent Identification
- FA Level 1 Disabled in Football
Bio: Ben has been coaching grassroots football, for various age groups (U7-U15), for over 15 years. His coaching experience extends to providing high quality PE sessions, within academy primary schools, for over 13 years. Ben has played football at amateur and semi-professional level as a goalkeeper and currently leads our goalkeeper development centre on a Friday evening.
Future CPD: UEFA B Licence & Talent ID Level 2
Dickson Gill
Position: Head Coach / Coach Mentor
Supports: Manchester United
Coaching qualifications:
- UEFA A Licence
- FA Youth Award
- FA Level 2 Talent Identification
- Welfare Officer
Bio: Dickson is a highly experienced and valued professional coach, whose career spans over 40 years working throughout the UK, USA and Malta. Over the course of his coaching journey, he has worked with clubs such as Crystal Palace, Dulwich Hamlet, Carshalton Athletic, Cape Express (USA) and Mgarr United (Malta). Before he retired, Dickson's last role in semi-professional football finished in 2017, where he spent 12 years as Chairman and Head Coach of Croydon FC. Currently, he works alongside our other coaches at our development program on a Monday evening and assists with Bromley FC U12 Academy.
Future CPD: UEFA Pro Licence
Bradley Lay
Position: Lead Coach & Welfare Officer
Supports: Crystal Palace
Coaching qualifications:
- FA Level 2 coaching football
- FA level 2 Talent Identification
- FA welfare officer
- FA Mentoring Adults
- WFA football tactics
- USC developing a team philosophy and purpose
- Video analysis for beginners
- Boxercise instructor award
Bio: Bradley has supported the football development of young players in both educational and youth football settings. He has coached at various grassroots clubs of all ages and was Chairman of Croydon Youth Football Club. Currently, Bradley plays an important role for our academy as Welfare Officer.
Bradley is an ambitious student of the game, regularly studying methods, philosophies and infrastructure from clubs around Europe. While completing his coaching badges, Bradley has studied the philosophies of Arrigo Sacchi, Leonardo Jardim and Maurizo Sarri. He has also gained coaching experience in the UK, America and Portugal and in 2018 participated in a club observational visit at Crystal Palace FC (U23s) in their Analysis department to further his studies.
Future CPD: UEFA B licence & Talent ID Level 3
Coach T
Position: Lead Development Centre Coach
Supports: Crystal Palace
Coaching qualifications:
- Sport Science BSc (Hons)
- FA Level 2 Football
- FA Primary Teaching Award
- PGCE
Bio: Since graduating from the University of Kent, Coach T has worked diligently within the community as a PE teacher and football coach. Combining his knowledge from a successful non-league playing career and working under many conversant coaches within academy and grassroots football. Coach T's aim is to develop each player to the best of their ability.
Future CPD: Degree of Masters & UEFA B Licence
Josh Uzun
Position: Development Centre Coach
Supports: Chelsea
Coaching qualifications:
- FA Level 2
Bio: After completing a 2-year scholarship with Leyton Orient, Josh worked in primary schools delivering PE lessons and after school clubs. He also spent 5 years playing for Corinthian Casuals and played a massive role in their promotion to the Isthmian League. Currently, Josh supports other coaches at our Development Program and Goalkeeping Centre.
Future CPD: FA Level 1 Goalkeeping Award
Tyler Bagalue
Position: Coach
Supports: Manchester United
Coaching qualifications:
- Level 3 Diploma in Sports Coaching
- FA Level 1 Football
Bio: Tyler has always enjoyed playing netball and started from the age of 6. She continued her love for the sport by playing at county level and went on to manage her own netball team. When she attended college, she studied sports science and extended her coaching knowledge to a variety of sports. Tyler continues to teach sports activities to young pupils and mentors some of these individuals.
Future CPD: Netball coaching qualification
Louis Smith
Position: Lead Coach
Supports: Chelsea
Coaching qualifications:
- Physical & Sports Education BA (Hons)
- Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science
- Level 2 Diploma in Sport
- John Paul II Foundation for Sport level 2 coaching award
- 1st 4 Sport level 1 Handball coaching award
- F.A Primary Teachers award
- F.A Junior Football Leadership award
Bio: Louis is an enthusiastic and highly respected individual that coaches to the highest standard within the sporting industry. He believes that participation and sporting values are key for making individuals and not just athletes. This is shown in his coaching style by engaging and learning with all pupils then moving towards a student led session where emphasise is on initiative and decision making. Throughout his sporting experience, he has participated in a wide range of activities from the traditional sports Rugby, Hockey and Tennis to non-traditional sports Gaelic Football and Hurling to improve his coaching knowledge. Finally, since graduating from St Mary's University Twickenham, Louis has a firm belief that to be a well rounded coach you must have not just a knowledge of a coach but the character to be a leader and a role model to the next generation.
Future CPD: PGCE Primary Physical Education (PE) Specialist with QTS
Derek Burke
Position: Lead Coach
Supports: Manchester United
Coaching qualifications:
- Fa Level 1 coaching football
- Fa Youth Module 1 & 2
- Fa Futsal Level 1
- Fa Level 1 Talent Identification
- Youth Mentoring in Sports
Bio: Derek, has many years experience in a football and education setting. His energetic, enthusiasm and warm-natured manner plays a vital role in delivering sport sessions for students of all ages. Previously, Derek has ran football foundation projects at both Crystal Palace and Arsenal fc. He has also spent many years coaching in grassroots/semi pro level. Currently, Derek has a lead role in providing sessions for after school clubs in our partnered schools and also undertakes various other coaching roles.
Future CPD: FA Level 2 in Football & FA Level 2 Talent Identification
