Our Coaching Team
![image_6487327[12]](https://pro11trials.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/image_648732712-150x150.jpg)
![image_6487327[15]](https://pro11trials.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/image_648732715-150x150.jpg)
![image_6487327[14]](https://pro11trials.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/image_648732714-150x150.jpg)
![image_6487327[13]](https://pro11trials.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/image_648732713-150x150.jpg)
Some of our coaches also offer 1-1 and small group coaching services. For more information please click below.
We’re always interested in working with talented coaches. If you’d like to be a part of our trial day team (various locations throughout the UK) please click the button above to apply.
With a playing career spanning 30 years, 25 years’ coaching experience and 15 years’ experience scouting for premier league clubs such as Everton, Manchester City and Liverpool, Craig is the ideal person to lead our trial day team and has been with us since the very beginning.
Craig also has 10 years experience of 1-1 coaching, running soccer schools and grassroots teams and has recently begun coaching disability football also. He holds a Level 2 coaching qualification, alongside a Youth Module 2, First Aid certification and a full DBS clearance.
Craig brings a wealth of experience to our trial days, with numerous contacts in the professional and semi-professional game.
Craig also undertakes the risk assessments for Pro11 as he is qualified in IOSHH, and is the company’s Welfare Officer.
NICK HILL
SENIOR Coach / Partnerships Manager / PFA Scout
Nick has 25+ years playing experience at various levels and has been coaching for more than 15 years. His claim to fame was being able to play in one of the last ever games at Wembley Stadium before it was rebuilt.
Nick is currently undertaking his UEFA B Licence and holds FA Youth Awards & FA Talent ID LV2 Scouting.
Being a professional scout Nick attends our trial days not only to identify and recommend talent, but as a senior coach within the Pro11 team; providing trialists with great experience and a unique insight into what EFL scouts are looking for in a player.
STEWART BROWN
SENIOR Coach
DAN HATFIELD
goalkeeper SPECIALIST coach
Dan is an ex-professional footballer who has played for clubs in England, Scotland, Sweden and Iceland.
He is now a coach for Chesterfield FC Women whilst also working as a scout for an agency (Fraser Sports Management) who specialise in offering opportunities to play internationally for clubs in Europe.
Dan has a reputation for spotting goalkeeping talent and for providing excellent training and feedback on Pro11 trial days.
MATTHEW MILLIGAN
Coach
Matt is one of Pro11’s very own success stories! He came to Pro11 as a player for one of our open age trials with the aim of getting scouted and was subsequently offered an opportunity with a non league club at the age of 21. This span off into several trials for clubs including Stockport Town, Cheadle Town, Denton Town, and lastly making the first team for Medlock Rangers.
Matt took his coaching qualifications at the age of 16, as he wanted to give players the opportunity he didn’t have when he was younger. He is a Level 1 coach for both Football and Futsal and now runs his own coaching business!
Matt has been coaching with Pro11 since 2018, and with a unique perspective of how the trials work, and having played the game for nearly 20 years, has plenty of advice and experience to offer to our trialists. Matt holds testament that if you really want to be a footballer, you should never give up!
DANIEL MACHIN
COACH
CHRIS HONOR
COACH & PERFORMANCE SPECIALIST
Chris has over 25 years coaching experience in football and rugby from grassroots to professional environments. He has held scouting roles at clubs including Stockport County and Blackpool FC as well as coaching in professional academies, and held management roles in both the men’s and women’s game, giving him strong insight into what clubs look for at trials.
As a player, Chris played grassroots and had a spell as player manager at Harrogate Railway Reserves. He also played for his regimental teams during his 8 years active military service as a Combat Medic, when he spent time on operations in Iraq and Cyprus – experiences which shaped his approach to pressure, preparation, discipline and player welfare.
Chris is currently a Director of Football and High Performance coach, running sports performance companies and a football consultancy which support clubs, players and parents with honest guidance and long term development.
As a coach with Pro 11 Trials, Chris is committed to helping players prepare for the demands of professional football while ensuring families are informed, supported and confident throughout the trials process.
Dwayne McKenzie
coach
Dwayne is an FA qualified coach from Hayes, West London, who often coaches for us at our South East venues. He has been coaching for more than 20 years and has coached at a number of levels both paid and voluntary, including new starters to the game of all ages to build confidence, a development centre associated to a championship club, and at grassroots for various age groups.
Dwyane is also very active in the community and with charity work in the local area and also runs Confidence Through Football.
Dwayne says he loves being a coach and was actually awarded Coach of the Year for Berks and Bucks in 2020.
SEAN BRADLEY
GUEST GK SPECIALIST COACH
Sean began his football career playing with Wigan Athletic Academy U21’s, Preston North End U18’s and also played at a semi professional level with Horwich RMI football club.
He has 17 years experience working for Wigan Athletic Academy as a coach and also worked for the MLS for 5 years. Sean is now working as a scout with Bolton Wanderers FC Academy.
Sean has a BSC in Sports Science, a PGCE in Physical Education and 27 years ‘ secondary teaching experience. He also holds a UEFA B for both Outfield and Goalkeeping.
With years of experience in playing, coaching in professional academies, and as a scout, Sean is an asset to our expanding GK specialist team!
MATTHEW LOIZOU
OUtFIELD & Goalkeeper coach
THEO SMITH
Coach
JAMES HORNER
Coach
James has been coaching since 2019 and has experience within both male and female footballing environments.
He recently completed a degree in Football Coaching & Talent Development at UCFB and is now studying for a Masters in Sports Coaching at Leeds Beckett University. He has also recently completed his UEFA B Licence qualification.
Alongside this has gained experience as an Assistant Manager for the UCFB Men’s 2nd team and an International Academy Coach for Liverpool FC, with recent experiences at non-league clubs such as Macclesfield FC and Pontefract Collieries.
James is currently Assistant Manager at Huddersfield Town Women and has just begun a new role as a Women’s Talent Pathway Technical Coach for the North East.
JOSH PICKERING
COACH
As a coach, Josh says his coaching philosophy centres around three core principles: Player development, Team Unity, and Adaptability. He believes in nurturing talent focusing on technical ability and detail, helping players reach their full potential so that they can have impact in a successful team.
His coaching journey has taken him from grassroots youth teams to professional academies working with clubs such as Bolton Wanderers and Abha club in the UAE with diverse age groups. His qualifications include coaching licenses UEFA B and ongoing professional development.
CAM BURNS
Coach
A new recruit for Pro11 for 2025, Cam has built 5 years of diverse coaching experience while studying Football Coaching and Talent Development at UCFB Manchester. Cam has further developed his practical understanding of football coaching and talent identification through education at the FA and PFSA; Level 2 in Talent Identification, Level 2 in Opposition Analysis and starting the UEFA B License in summer 2025.
Cam’s coaching experiences primarily focus on youth development and he has coached grassroots boys aged from 7-16 across the North East and North West of England. While studying at UCFB, Cam coached men’s 3rd team and managed the men’s 2nd team. More recently, Cam has began to coach boys and girls in the PDC and ETC at the Foundation of Light (SAFC).
ABBY LESTER
COACH
Abby currently plays for FC United of Manchester which is in Tier 5 of the women’s football pyramid. She is also studying at Manchester Metropolitan University on the Manchester City Coaching Degree.
Abby is hoping to help expand the progress of the female game, giving girls the chance to express their talents and be seen on the big stage.
She says: ‘I am ambitious and passionate about football which is why I have joined Pro11, not just for the experience in a different coaching field, but also to learn from some top coaches and develop the upcoming generation of elite players.’
DAN WOODROW
COACH
Dan is one of the newest members of the Pro 11 team. Dan coaches for several Football Academies from age groups under 8 all the way to under 15’s. He is Lead Goalkeeper coach and an outfield coach for Leeds United u19’s.
Dan gained his outfield UEFA B a number of years ago and has helped and developed a high number of talented young people both on the field and off.
More recently Dan has passed his UEFA C Goalkeeper badge and is currently working towards his UEFA A license outfield coaching badge. With a number of success stories under his belt, he brings a wealth of experience to Pro11.
GEOFF STRAUCH
COACH
Geoff has a number of years experience in the game and holds both UEFA A and UEFA C Licenses. Over the years he has coached boys and girls ranging from the age of 4 years old to adult, and whose ability levels have ranged from beginner to professional / international.
His previous coaching positions held include:-
- Academy Coach at English League professional clubs, Tranmere Rovers FC, and Chester City FC.
- Head of Academy at Bangor City FC, Welsh professional club.
- Lead Coach for Toronto FC Community Program.
- Head Provincial Coach for New Zealand FA.
- Goal keeper coach for the North Wales U-18 National boys team.
- Regional Coach/Manager for FAW endorsed, Community Coach Program, producing UEFA C License Coaches.
- Head Coach to semi professional clubs in New Zealand and Canada.
Geoff brings a huge amount of knowledge and experience and we are delighted to welcome him coaching on our trial days!
SAM TATTUM
social media executive
Sam is a product of the Manchester City Academy, which he joined at u10 and played right through to the u16 age group. He then played as part of the Manchester City youth team and went on to earn a professional contract with the club in 2015. During his time at City, Sam was recognised at international level with Wales at both u17 and u19 age groups.
Since then Sam has gained international experience for pro clubs in Norther Europe including playing as a defender for Brattvag IL in League 2 division in Norway, and recently joining Naestved Boldklub in Denmark as a Coach and Player.
Sam joined Pro11 in 2018 initially as a coach and has worked in numerous roles since. He is currently our Social Media Executive, a role which he undertakes remotely whilst playing and coaching professionally overseas.
