Joel Roberts MSc, BSc (Hons)
​PROGRAMME DIRECTOR

PGCE, UEFA "A" License, FA Academy Manager's License, NSCAA Advanced National Diploma

As Program Director, Joel directs the Soccer Academy coaching staff and its operation. He oversees our playing philosophy and provides opportunities for players to fulfill their potential through the training and games program.

As a UEFA ‘A’ licensed coach, FA qualified Academy Manager and Lecturer in Sport who has built a broad range of senior experience through various roles in football and education in both the UK and the USA, Joel works directly with our US based staff to add real value to the student experience, both on and off the field.

Joel holds a Master’s Degree in Sporting Directorship and a  Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Science and his credentials ensure that UDA students reach their optimal potential and ensure the program meets student’s expectations with respect to their overall experience.​

Joel has an extensive knowledge of the player development process and currently works as a Senior Scout for a professional club in the English Premier League, as he has worked with the Academy programs of Fulham FC, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Liverpool FC, and has played the role of the Assistant Head Coach of the England Women U-23 National Team.

Jon David McCarthy, B.Sc
​HEAD OF COACHING

Jon is a UEFA “A” Licensed Coach and a former International player for Northern Ireland with over 450 football league appearances at the professional club level. He is also a former manager at Chester FC.
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As Head of Coaching, Jon will lead the delivery of all practical sessions with a focus on individual and team development, and manage the UDA Academy team on match-days.

A UEFA “A” Licensed Coach, and former professional player at football league clubs such as Birmingham City, Port Vale and York City, Jon has gained 18 international caps for Northern Ireland. Jon is currently the Assistant Manager of National League North side Southport FC, and he also has managerial experience from his time with Chester FC when he oversaw the development of several young players including Sam Hughes, who now plays for Leicester City FC in the Premier League.
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As a former professional player, who holds a degree in Sports Science and has several years’ experience as an educator, Jon understands the importance of academics in the lives
of students and what it takes to succeed both in the classroom and on the field.

James Moss
​​Academy Coach

James began his playing career at Macclesfield Town which was then a League 2 side. He was there from the age of 13 and made his senior debut at the age of 18. Not long after this the club got relegated and he then moved into the semi-professional game where he had spells at Salford City FC among others. 
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James' coaching career began at Mid Cheshire College on the football development programme ran by Joel and Jon. He then had some time coaching in the US before taking an opportunity in Shanghai, China where he became the Director of Coaching at Dulwich International School. He spent 6 years directing a football programme of over 300 players and 8 coaching staff before returning in 2022 and taking up a position here with UDA Chester. Alongside his role at UDA, James is currently Head of Football at The Grange School Cheshire.

Qualifications:

• UEFA B Licence 
• BA HONS Sports Coaching/Studies

Nathan Cartwright
​​HEad of MEdical

Nathan graduated from The University of Salford in 2020 with a BSc in Sport Rehabilitation.  

During his years of study and since he graduated he has gained experience both sporting and clinical in multiple settings.

Nathan's role as Head of Medical for UDA Soccer includes providing a clinical service to the squad ensuring injuries are assessed quickly and effectively as this allows coaches to be informed on squad fitness levels on a weekly basis. Tailored rehabilitation programmes are prescribed to players to coincide with face to face treatment along with any other advice they may seek. Nathan also conducts baseline testing throughout the season to ensure players injury risk is minimised and health is at an optimum level. 

Nathan also offers Physiotherapy assistance within the Cheshire community visiting patients of a higher risk and elderly category in their own home or residential homes. Alongside this, Nathan works in fast flowing Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation clinics based around the Liverpool and Manchester regions, providing therapy to a wide range of patients from sporting and non-sporting backgrounds.  ​

Gaynor Crompton
Head of player support

Gaynor acts as a liaison between the academy program and the staff at the University of Chester. 
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Her professional credentials and training add greater value and support to the overall student experience from enrollment to graduation. 
 
Gaynor has extensive experience in higher education management, making her the perfect fit for the program. She is the owner and director of First Priority Training and Consulting Services, which specializes in accredited and bespoke first aid, Safeguarding and Health and Safety courses. Gaynor is also the designated safeguarding lead for the FA Northern Premier League Football Academy. 

Gaynor has extensive experience across a number of platforms that includes staff development, monitoring examinations, staff training, quality assurance processes, and as a senior administrator within the Cheshire Judicial system.

Graham Roberts

​Graham’s professional training and background is in player development across all levels.

His experiences include working as a coach for FA Premier League Club Everton FC within their Junior Academy, across all ages, specializing in the individual development of young players. He is also a specialist in one-two-one coaching.

Graham has experience as a talent identification scout at Everton FC, seeking to identify those players with the necessary attributes to play within an elite football environment. He was also recruited by Manchester City FC to co-ordinate their Regional Development Centers and management of a local scouting network. 

He is a lead coach for Manchester City FC Schools — coaching and delivering the Manchester City Language and Performance Program, using the City Group philosophy, to educate players from all over the world through football.  

In addition, he is also the managing director of Elite Academy Sports, which delivers football and education programs to schools, colleges and elite travel teams from around the world.

Neil Ebbrell
UDA GK Coach

Neil presently works with Welsh Premier League Club Connah’s Quay Nomads as their Senior Men’s Goalkeeping Coach and was a part of the coaching staff which saw them finish as runner-up in the Welsh Premier League and compete in the UEFA Europa League.

He is also the Head of Academy Goalkeeping, supporting the development of young GK’s and aspiring goalkeeper coaches. Neil has talent identification experience with several professional and semi-professional clubs including Liverpool FC, Everton FC and Tranmere Rovers.  In addition, he is the owner and director of a GK Academy specializing in 1:1 GK training.

Dr. Brian Haley
Executive Director

Brian is a former professional college coach in the U.S. for 26 years after moving from England. He played professional soccer in the American Soccer League for the Cleveland Cobras and for a number of semi-professional teams in the UK. 

Brian also founded and developed the world's first program for the serious American soccer players between the critical development years of 18 to 21 to be given a wider opportunity for development than is presently available in the United States.

Brian holds a Doctorate in Education as well as the Premier Coaching License from the National Soccer Coaching Association of America.

He works closely with the UDA Soccer Program Director and the Head of Recruitment in the USA, to ensure the student experience is one of quality and provides the right opportunity for players and meets their expectations.

"The coaching staff are brilliant and the best in the business."
-Justin Dvorak, Student-Athlete