Coaches - Taunton Town Juniors | Football Development Centre, Taunton

Coaches

Paul West

Biography
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Soccerbox is the brainchild of Paul West former Taunton Town FC player, captain and manager.

Paul left school in 1987 and signed apprenticeship forms for Bristol Rovers FC .His circumstances changed and Paul returned from Bristol after a few months. He continued where he left off and carried on playing for his beloved Taunton Town FC u17, u18, reserves and then progressing to the first team.

He spent a long and successful career at Taunton the highlights being 2 FA Vase final appearances one at the world famous old Wembley stadium in 1994 where they lost 2 1 to Diss Town after extra time and the slightly more recent game at Villa park in 2001 where as captain Paul raised the trophy. Paul is pictured at Wembley with Andy Payne and Damon Palfrey.

Paul says, "Andy was fantastic player he was also son of my hero and Taunton legend Tony Payne who played over a 1000 times for TTFC. Damon, is without a doubt the best footballer I have ever seen. It still baffles me now why he didn't get right to the top. I think he was born 10 years too early! What an incredible talent and he had everything required to be a top class professional. He narrowly missed out for England schoolboys, and had a host of clubs wanted to sign him including Harry Redknapp. He chose Bristol City and spent 2 years there before getting released, due to his size!! That would never happen now. He was technically superb, completely both footed, lighting quick, great ball control, great intelligence of the game, strong in the tackle, scored and created goals for fun."

Paul's career was cut short in 2002 when he ruptured the ligaments in his left knee. After a short spell at Wellington FC as manager Paul came back to TTFC as assistant manager, before taking the reigns as manager in 2009. finishing in 2012.

A break from football followed, that was until his son started falling in love with the beautiful game. With all his years of experience and having qualified as a UEFA B coach in 2015, Soccerbox is the ideal platform for Paul to use to benefit up and coming players.

Chris Grave

Biography

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Chris left school in 2012 and studied Sports Development, Fitness and Coaching at Somerset College. Alongside his studies, Chris was active in volunteering with numerous coaching companies and events to gain experience.

He gained his FA Level 1 and 2 qualifications at the age of 17 and began coaching with local football clubs. Upon leaving college, Chris started working full-time delivering curriculum P.E. within primary schools, and began coaching in the Junior Premier League. Chris currently works full time as the P.E. specialist at a local primary school.

Chris currently manages the Taunton Town U11 age group, who compete in the Junior Premier League.

 

Ian Thompson

Biography
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Ian is an English FA A Licence qualified coach and FA Tutor and Mentor. He was one of the first-ever skills coaches to be employed by the FA.

With over 40 years of experience working in all aspects of football, Ian has a vast amount of knowledge and experience in developing football skills in all children of all ages helping them to reach their full potential in a safe and enjoyable learning environment.

Ian’s previous coaching and managing experiences have been county manager of two different counties FA representative teams and has also played and managed in the semi-professional leagues. Ian has coached at both Bristol City and Bristol Rovers and Yeovil Town in their Centre of Excellence schemes. 

Ian moved on to manage and coach in the academy and community programmes and was Assistant Head of Community Programme and Development centres at Portsmouth FC during the period when they won the FA cup whilst still in the Premier League. He has since worked as head coach for Southampton FC at their south-west development centre and has also been their coaching co-ordinator for their development centres within the south-west area. 

Until quite recently and over the past four years Ian has been involved in setting up the Academy and developing young players for Yeovil Town FC where he had many roles, mainly as Lead Foundation Phase Coach.

“Football has always been my passion, I am a student of the game who will always be striving to acquire new ideas and knowledge that will help me develop myself as a teacher and mentor. I am a full member of the Professional Footballers coaching association and FA licensed club. I hope all the children who attend our development centre take away with them not only football skills but also life skills which will bring them success in whatever they want to achieve in life. Regards, Tomo”

Harry Sparkes


Biography

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Harry left school at the age of 17 and acquired an Sports Development Coaching and Fitness Distinction qualification at college. He has worked at one of the top schools in the UK, Millfield Preparatory and Senior School and has been coaching to gain experience and develop as a coach.

 

Harry has coached at a variety of different levels and has learned throughout his short career in the world of football. He coached at Yeovil FC Academy, ranging from the U9’s to the U18’s. He has acquired his level 1, 2 and UEFA B (level 3) coaching qualifications at the age of 22. He was also the Academy Manager of Operations. Organising the day-to-day academy schedule from training to the games programme. 

 

He works at Bristol City Academy, again working in the operations department. This is his first year at Taunton Town, and he is looking forward to the challenges of working with the U15’s in the Junior Premier League and working with new players and staff.

Rory Crabb

Biography

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Biography to come.

 

Jack Payne

Biography

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Jack is 25 years old, and has been coaching now for almost 10 years. 
 
Jack has experience working with ages 
5 - 18 years old. 
 
He holds the following qualifications:
 
UEFA B Licence
FA Youth Award 
FdSc in Football Coaching and Performance  
 
 

Jack has experience working with a range of ages, and in his coaching careers has obtained his B License, and has a FdSc in Football Coaching and Performance.

Jack has worked in London where he coached Global Football Academy, Tottenham Hotspur Ladies Development team as well as a Performance Analyst role with the Ladies 1st Team. And has previously worked with Ian Thompson at Yeovil Town Academy. 

The Four Corners

Taunton Youth FC Community Trust - Juniors, works along the FA guidelines using the 4 corner model.

The 4 corner model for player development outlines the range of influencing factors which may need to be addressed as a young player grows and develops in the game. Using the 4 corners will enable us to help them reach their full potential. Each of the corners is connected and relies on support from the other 3 areas.

The corners are Technical, Physical, Psychological and social.All our sessions start with a Technique practice which is unopposed, this flows into an opposed Skill practice followed by a small sided game where the new techniques they’ve learnt can be developed in game situations.

These sessions will include

  • Attacking techniques and skills
  • Defending techniques and skills
  • Passing and receiving
  • Creativity
  • Anticipation
  • Decision making
  • Team role

Sessions Times

Monday 5.30 - 7pm School Year Reception - Year 7 & Girls Only

Please contact us for a free taster session.

Current Sessions

 

Taunton Development Centre

Our Development Centre's are an age-appropriate, progressive half termly coaching programmme based on the FA's 4 corner model. 

Please ensure players bring weather appropriate clothing, astroturf trainers, shin pads and a water bottle. 

Please send an email to juniors@tauntontown.com with any medical information when booking.

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