Meet the staff

Vast experience of success in education & football across our UK and Spanish independent boarding schools

Greg Thurstans Football Academy

Greg Thurstans

CEO | Director of Football

Greg has over 20 years’ experience in coaching, teaching and education with 8 years as Director of Sport at a leading HMC independent school. As a coach Greg was one of the youngest coaches to achieve both UEFA ‘A’ outfield and Goalkeeping Licenses. Greg has coached at Crystal Palace Academy, England Independent Schools national U16/18 teams and scouted for Brighton FC. Greg has built a vast network of contacts across the world and has raised successful investment rounds in high level businesses.

Matthew Rose Football Academy

Matthew Rose

COO | Director of Coaching & Recruitment

Matthew has over 25 years’ experience in professional football as a player and coach. He came through the academy system with Arsenal FC under the guidance of former Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger OBE (current FIFA Chief of Global Football Development), before playing in the premier league. After leaving Arsenal he went on to have a successful 10 year career with Queens Park Rangers FC, playing over 300 games. Matthew has gained significant experience and expertise in the finance sector since retiring from playing. Matthew established Arsenal’s European academy in Greece and dramatically kept Barnsley FC in the Championship as 1st team coach. Matthew holds UEFA ‘A’ License and has extensive contacts around the world.

  • Marvin Williams

    Marvin Williams

    Head of Boys Football | Beechwood

    Marvin has vast experience as a professional player, at the highest level, playing for clubs such as Brentford, Millwall, Yeovil and Torquay. He has an excellent understanding of leadership in professional academies and the highest level of UEFA qualifications with both the UEFA ‘A’ Licence and Elite Academy Manager Programme/EAM. His high level experience in coaching expands to leading a Professional Academy as the Academy Manager at Sutton Utd and as recent assistant Academy Manager at Premier League Club Ipswich Town.

  • Kiera Hewett-Brown

    Kiera Hewett-Brown

    Head of Girls Football | Beechwood

    Kiera has 9 years of experience coaching within professional football, schools and elite development programmes. She worked as a lead coach at both Millwall Lionesses and Chelsea Women’s Academy. She has developed players that have been a part of the England Talent Pathway and have gone on to represent their country. Keira is also a UEFA ’B’ License coach.

  • Neale Manning

    Neale Manning

    Head of Goalkeeping | Beechwood

    Neale has over 12 years of experience as a coach working in the professional game. He has coached at some of the best academies including Chelsea, West Ham Utd and Charlton Athletic. He currently works at Manchester City as Southern area Goalkeeper Scout. Neale holds both the UEFA B’ outfield and goalkeeping license, with FA Youth modules 1,2,3. He has worked with many youth international goalkeepers from around the world. Neale has a track record of developing goalkeepers from grassroots to playing at international level.

  • Joe Sutton | Head of Future Pathways

    Joe Sutton

    Head of Future Pathways | Beechwood

    Joe is a High-performance leader in professional sport and a specialist in athlete development, team building and future pathways for athletes. He possesses vast experience combining strategic and operational skills to drive success in top-tier football academies, including Arsenal, Manchester United, Brighton & Hove Albion,  Brentford and Fulham. Passionate about inspiring individuals and teams to excel at an elite level, with a deep understanding of what it takes for athletes to thrive and give pathways for elite athletes with extensive connections across the world. Joe is committed to continuous growth while helping others reach their full potential. Joe currently holds the UEFA A Licence, FA Advanced Youth Award, and the FA Talent ID Level 4 in leadership and management

  • Jake Locker​

    Jake Locker​

    Head of Sport Science | Beechwood

    Jake holds an MSc in Strength & Conditioning and BSc in Sport & Exercise Science from Loughborough University. He worked as a Strength & Conditioning coach for Leicester FC, working with their U12-U21 teams. He is on the pathway to being a UKSCA accredited coach and BASES accredited sport scientist. Jake has over 7 years of coaching experience in both boys & girls grassroots football and independent schools. He has managed teams at Loughborough University men’s football teams. Jake was previous an academy footballer and played senior football at Step 5.

  • Will Burke

    Will Burke

    Physiotherapist | Beechwood

    Will has over 12 year’s experience in Physiotherapy and sport. He has an MSc in Clinical Manipulative Physiotherapy and a chartered Physiotherapist. He is the CEO of the highly successful Wells Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic. Will studied in Australia and Portugal in sports injuries and rehabilitation. He Specialises in musculoskeletal systems.

  • John Crittenden

    John Crittenden

    Sports Psychologist | Beechwood

    John has a BSc in Sport Science, PE PGCE, MA(Ed) Diploma in Educational leadership and management, ILM Level 7 Diploma in Executive Coaching and mentoring. He has over 20 years of educational experience as a PE and Psychology teacher and leader. He has extensive pastoral care experience, including Assistant Principal; Director of Leadership Coaching. John worked as an FA Girl’s Southeast Super Hub school lead and was an FA Development Coach and author. He was an educational and executive consultant for Youth Sport Trust, The High Performance podcast, National Governing Bodies and Brighton and Hove Albion FC.

  • Ryan Dickson

    Ryan Dickson

    Head of Boys Football | Trinity

    Ryan has over 20 year of experience in professional football, playing over 400 matches for Brentford, Southampton, Plymouth and Torquay. He currently holds both the UEFA ’A’ License and the UEFA ’A’ Advanced Youth Award. Ryan played with and against some of the best players in the world, learning his coaching methods under the likes of Mauricio Pochettino. He has worked in professional academies including Plymouth Argyle and Torquay Utd. Ryan has developed players that have represented their countries at international level.

  • Abbie Britton

    Abbie Britton

    Head of Girls Football | Trinity

    Abbie has 15 years of experience coaching within professional football, schools and elite development programmes. She had a professional playing career with Bristol City, Swansea City, Cardiff LFC, and Exeter City and represented the senior Wales National team. Currently she holds the UEFA ’B’ License. Abbie was pivotal in the rise of Exeter City women within the elite female game as an academy coach, first team coach and development officer. She has a clear and successful track record of developing players who have played at the highest level.

  • Phil Osbourn

    Phil Osbourn

    Head of Goalkeeping | Trinity

    Phil has over 15 years as a coach working in the professional game. He has held positions as Plymouth Argyle Head Academy goalkeeper coach, 1st team coach at Yeovil Town and Torquay Utd. He holds both the UEFA B’ outfield and goalkeeping license, with FA Youth modules 1,2,3. He has worked closely developing youth international goalkeepers. Phil has a successful track record of progressing goalkeepers to play at the highest level of the game.

  • Joe Sutton | Head of Future Pathways

    Joe Sutton

    Head of Future Pathways | Trinity

    Joe is a High-performance leader in professional sport and a specialist in athlete development, team building and future pathways for athletes. He possesses vast experience combining strategic and operational skills to drive success in top-tier football academies, including Arsenal, Manchester United, Brighton & Hove Albion,  Brentford and Fulham. Passionate about inspiring individuals and teams to excel at an elite level, with a deep understanding of what it takes for athletes to thrive and give pathways for elite athletes with extensive connections across the world. Joe is committed to continuous growth while helping others reach their full potential. Joe currently holds the UEFA A Licence, FA Advanced Youth Award, and the FA Talent ID Level 4 in leadership and management.

  • Stan Langmead

    Stan Langmead

    Head of Sport Science | Trinity

    Stan has an MSc in Strength & Conditioning and BSc in Sport Science from Loughborough University. He has previous experience with Stoke City as a men’s first team sport scientist. His most recent experience was with Aston Villa as a physical performance coach across the women’s teams. Stan is a UKAD Clean Sport Advisor and is a ISAK Level Anthropometrist.

  • Dan Feasey

    Dan Feasey

    Physiotherapist | Trinity

    Dan has vast experience in Physiotherapy within the professional football game. He is a chartered Physiotherapist with MSc and BSc in Sports Rehabilitation. He worked with the 1st teams at Exeter City and Torquay Utd. Dan specialises in sports injury prevention and rehabilitation.

  • Jordan Hayman

    Jordan Hayman

    Sports Psychologist | Trinity

     Jordan has a professional Doctorate (BPS Stage 2) in Sport and Exercise. He also has an MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology and a BSc (Hons) in Psychology with Neuroscience. Jordan is a member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). He has strong background in working with elite footballers.

“We have a unique track record of successful outcomes for boys and girls aged 7-18 years, proving our excellence in high-performance development of football players in our schools in the UK and Spain.”