Department: Academy
Location: Poolfoot Farm Training Complex
Reports To: Academy Manager
Working Hours: Flexible, Academy Manager. Evening and weekend work will be expected.
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Length: Permanent
Role Overview
Fleetwood Town Football Club is seeking an outstanding, highly motivated and forward-thinking Foundation Phase Lead to lead the Academy’s Pre-Academy and Foundation Phase programme through to U11.
The successful candidate will be responsible for providing leadership across the phase, creating a high-quality learning environment for players and coaches and ensuring the Academy’s coaching curriculum, playing philosophy and player development strategy are consistently implemented.
The Foundation Phase Lead will play an important role in the identification, development and progression of young players while supporting and developing the coaches working within the phase.
You will join a forward-thinking Category 2 Academy with a strong track record of developing players who progress through the football pyramid and into Fleetwood Town’s First Team. The role will be based primarily at the Club’s £10 million Poolfoot Farm Training Complex.
Person Specification
Essential
- UEFA B Licence.
- Experience working within an elite youth development environment, preferably within a Category 1 or Category 2 Academy.
- Strong understanding of theElite Player Performance Plan (EPPP)and the requirements of an Academy environment.
- Demonstrable experience of coaching players within the Foundation Phase.
- Experience of leading, supporting or developing other coaches.
- Strong understanding of child-centred coaching and age-appropriate player development.
- Experience of contributing to player recruitment and talent identification.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with players, parents and staff.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to coordinate multiple aspects of a Foundation Phase programme.
- Current FA Safeguarding Children requirements.
- Appropriate Emergency First Aid qualification.
- Full driving licence and access to transport.
Desirable
- UEFA A Licence.
- FA Advanced Youth Award.
- Previous experience in a Foundation Phase leadership role within a professional Academy.
- Experience working within a multidisciplinary team.
- Experience using Football Intelligence Platform or equivalent player-development management system.
- Evidence of continued professional development within coaching, leadership or youth development.
Phase Leadership & Player Development
- Lead the day-to-day delivery and development of the Pre-Academy and Foundation Phase, ensuring a clear and consistent approach across all age groups.
- Work closely with the Head of Coaching to implement and continually develop an age-appropriate coaching curriculum aligned to the Academy’s playing and coaching philosophy.
- Create a positive, challenging and enjoyable learning environment that places individual player development at the centre of the programme.
- Lead the planning, delivery and evaluation of coaching provision across the phase, ensuring appropriate records are maintained on the Football Intelligence Platform.
- Lead the player review and Individual Learning Plan process across the phase, ensuring development objectives are meaningful, individualised and regularly reviewed.
- Ensure there is a clear understanding of each player's individual development needs and appropriate opportunities are provided to stretch and challenge players.
- Monitor and support the transition of players through the Foundation Phase and into the Transition Phase.
- Work collaboratively as part of the Academy's multidisciplinary team to support the technical, tactical, physical, psychological and social development of players.
Coaching & Coach Development
- Coach a designated age group within the Pre-Academy/Foundation Phase while supporting delivery across other age groups where appropriate.
- Set and model high standards of coaching practice across the phase.
- Provide leadership, support and regular feedback to the part-time coaching workforce.
- Work closely with the Head of Coaching to identify the individual development needs of coaches within the phase.
- Support coaches in creating and delivering their individual Coach Development Action Plans (DAPs), aligned to the Academy's Coach Expertise Framework.
- Encourage a culture of reflection, collaboration, innovation and continuous professional development amongst all staff.
- Contribute to the development and recording of Academy best-practice coaching sessions and resources.
Recruitment & Player Pathway
- Work collaboratively with the Academy Recruitment department to ensure a proactive and purposeful approach to player identification across the Pre-Academy and Foundation Phase.
- Support the identification, assessment and integration of trialists and prospective Academy players.
- Develop a strong understanding of the local talent pool and the recruitment needs of individual age groups.
- Ensure recruitment decisions consider both current ability and long-term potential.
- Support the effective transition of players into, through and beyond the Foundation Phase.
Programme & Operational Management
- Coordinate the day-to-day football programme across the Pre-Academy and Foundation Phase.
- Work collaboratively with relevant Academy staff to coordinate training, fixtures, festivals, tournaments and additional development opportunities.
- Ensure the games programme provides appropriate challenge and variety based on individual and team development needs.
- Lead the organisation of appropriate tournaments, tours and festivals alongside the Head of Coaching.
- Maintain clear and professional communication with players, parents and Academy staff.
- Build positive relationships with parents and provide appropriate information regarding the Academy programme and their child's development.
- Support the management and distribution of equipment and resources required for effective programme delivery.
- Ensure all relevant player development, coaching and programme information is accurately recorded on the Academy's designated systems.
Academy Leadership
- Take ownership of the standards and culture within the Foundation Phase.
- Positively contribute to the wider Academy strategy and objectives.
- Work collaboratively with other phase leads and Heads of Department to ensure consistency and alignment across the Academy.
- Provide regular updates to the Academy Manager and Head of Coaching regarding player development, staffing, programme delivery and emerging priorities.
- Contribute to Academy meetings, reviews, CPD and quality-assurance processes.
- Demonstrate and promote the behaviours, standards and values expected of Fleetwood Town Football Club.
- Continually review the effectiveness of the Foundation Phase programme and identify opportunities for improvement.
Safeguarding
- Act as a Safeguarding Champion, promoting and embedding safeguarding best practice across the Academy.
- Place the welfare, wellbeing and best interests of Academy players at the centre of all practice and decision-making.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries when working with children and young people.
- Ensure the capture, storage, use and sharing of player footage and information is undertaken appropriately and in accordance with Club policies.
- Identify and report safeguarding concerns in accordance with the Club's safeguarding policies and procedures.
- Comply with all Club policies relating to safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety and professional conduct.
Other Duties
- Carry out any other duties as directed by the Academy Manager and Head of Coaching
Fleetwood Town Football Club is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults. We expect all staff, volunteers, and applicants to share this commitment and uphold the highest standards of professional behaviour. The post is subject to relevant DBS checks as part of our safer recruitment process.
Closing Date: 9th September 2026
Interview Date: 11th September 2026
Start Date: TBC