Fleetwood Town’s Academy have expanded their staffing list in recent weeks, and are wasting no time in adding the necessary staffing needed to take the Academy to the next level.
With a number of staff moving on, it was important the Academy acted quickly and that is exactly what has happened as three new recruits have stepped into the building at Poolfoot Farm to take roles in Education and Player Care, Head of Goalkeeping and also Recruitment.
Let's take a look at the three new recruits and their job roles:
Luke Hobson – Head of Education & Player Care
Luke joins us as Head of Education and Player Care and is responsible for overseeing the educational progression of all our Academy players. His main focuses of work will be the Day Release Programme, and delivery of compensatory education in support of players coming out of school, the Sporting Excellence Professional apprenticeship programme alongside the League Football Education.
Luke will also provide pastoral care alongside our caring team of staff, leading on the delivery of player and parent workshops across the Academy age groups. He has previously worked across various primary schools and within non-league football, so brings a wealth of teaching, football and pastoral experience.
Joe Clayton – Head of Academy Goalkeeping
Joe joins us from Sunderland, having spent the past seven seasons working as an Academy Goalkeeper Coach. Joe now takes a Lead role in the Academy and is accountable for overseeing the development of all goalkeepers across the Under-9s to our Under-21s.
Joe will also oversee the development of our younger coaches, Matt Whitworth & Rio Cragg in ensuring consistency and alignment across the goalkeeper programme.
Andy Livingstone – Head of Academy Recruitment
Andy joins us from Preston North End and brings a wealth of experience in the recruitment of Academy players. Working at Preston for a total of 13 years, Andy has led the Recruitment & Safeguarding departments, and with extensive experience in the Police Force highlights his organisation, attention to detail and pastoral care of young children.
Andy will lead a team of scouts to identify, recruit and retain the best talent on the Fylde Coast and beyond to add further quality to our growing Academy.
A word from Jack Higgins, Head of Academy
Head of Fleetwood Town’s Academy, Jack Higgins said on the three appointments: “We are delighted to appoint Andy, Joe and Luke into their respective roles – we are confident we have appointed three fantastic professionals who will make huge impact at Fleetwood Town.
“All three have started work with us now and have made a great first impression on staff, players, and parents. They’ll bring their own way of working but will continue to work within the framework of our Academy focus – ‘Develop the person, Challenge the player’, which will only see us progress further as an Academy.”