Find out more about Team WFA with our Q&A.
What is completely unique about the coaching staff at WFA is that almost every single one of them trained at WFA as a child. Most went on to play for Wilmslow Town, carried out their Duke of Edinburgh Awards with us, did their High School or collage Work Experience Programme with us and then came back to WFA to coach.
So lets meet them!
Erik – The Gaffer
Director of Coaching
Erik started WFA in 2001. An FA qualified coach, Erik works with all the age groups at the Academy and has worked with the Manchester City and Manchester United Junior Academies. He has also worked as a senior scout and coaching assessor for Manchester City and its his ambition to see another WFA Graduate play in the premiership one day just like ex WFA youngster, Phil Foden and Man United and England Lioness Millie Turner!
Erik’s main role at WFA now is as Director of Coaching, overseeing the planning of the sessions and the development of the coaches as well as the overall running of the academy.
Erik is also the chairman and founder of Wilmslow Town Football Club. He is the Team Coordinator responsible for the welfare and development of all the junior teams at Wilmslow Town from the under 7’s to the under 18’s squads.
How did you end up at WFA? “I formed WFA in 2001 when I realised Wilmslow was in need of a good coaching organisation to give kids in the area a good football education and the chance to play for their local team.
I wanted to create a football school that was different from the rest. I wanted it to be fun and get away from organisations that call themselves “elite”.
Junior football is about fun and playing in teams with your mates. There were lots of coaching organisations around but I felt that it could be done better. Over 20 years later and I still think the same.
Play football to have fun. Let your children play for themselves. Don’t try and live your dreams through your kids”.
Nick
Head Coach
So Nick, what teams have you played for? I’d rather not say which team I played for as a kid or I would get the sack! I currently play for Wilmslow Albion which is next door to where WFA is based so if you fancy coming over watch then you’re more than welcome and the bar is always open on match days!
What position do you play? I’m a rapid quick left back.
What team do you support? Manchester United. The best team in the world!
How did you end up at WFA? I started work experience from Wilmslow High School in year 11 and then again in upper 6th form. I loved it so much that I asked Erik for a full time job and hear I am 7 years on! WFA is the best company a young coach could be part of, such an amazing experience and I can’t wait for more.
Tell us a fact that we didn’t know about you: Mmmmm, I’m quarter Italian (if you can’t tell with my permatan)! People think I do tanning best which is a lie!
I’ve also never missed a penalty in my football career. I’ve only ever taken two in my life but it counts!
Will
Will has been with WFA since he was 6 years old, leaving to play for Wilmslow Town FC and then on to play for Main Road FC where still plays now for one of the senior teams and is now back with us as coach. He is a very well respected coach working at several afterschool clubs and Saturdays at Styal. You’ll also see Will hosting our party’s too.
Will has taken the role of Team Co-Ordinator for the new u7’s, U8’s and U9’s teams as well as new girls teams.
Callum – G-Man
Callum and his daughter Bella (a future Lioness)!
Callum is the Gaffer’s sons, Cal is one of our most experienced WFA coaches. He graduated from Leeds Uni in Sports Marketing and Public Relations. Callum has played as a midfielder for Wilmslow Sports, Wilmslow Town, Wilmslow Albion and Manchester Gregorian’s.
He works with our Power league teams as well as with the Little Strikers on a Saturday and passes on the benefit of his vast experience as a player and coach. Cal also helps in the PR and Marketing of WFA so blame him for any mistakes you find on this website!
Joe
Joe is a bit of a WFA Legend already. He was one of the first ever kids to attend Little Strikers before he was even two years old and we could see he was baller even then. Here’s what Joe says about his time with WFA as a Little Striker, player and coach.
“My first ever time playing football was at WFA Little Strikers and it’s because of WFA that I fell in love with football. Erik gave me the opportunity to play at Manchester City when I was only 4 years old! I had trials after that at all the big clubs such as Man United and Liverpool.
The highlight of my footballing career so far was when I received the Golden Boot for scoring 57 goals in one season for Wilmslow Town!
I currently play for Wythenshawe Armatures u21’s at CM”.
Lucy
Lucy is our first long term girls coach and her enthusiasm and love of coaching shines through in every session she takes. She specialises in the key stage 1 age groups and the kids and parents love her!
This is Lucy’s story:
“My first ever season of football was with Wilmslow Town u12’s. For some reason I quite football for 4 years. I asked Erik if I could do my D of E with WFA and thats when I started coaching and I got my love of the game back.
Erik gave me some work as a coach and I learned from the team. I then did my work experience from the High School with WFA and I’m still here!
I played for Altrincham FC last season and I’m currently on trial with Macc and Stockport County Ladies.
My favourite team is Tottenham Hotspurs believe it or not. Don’t ask me why!
My favourite memory of WFA as a kid was winning the WFA Mini World Cup with Gorsey Bank in Year 6. That was unbelievable”.
Cameron
Cam has been at WFA since he was 4 years old. He attended almost ever session on a Saturday morning and was a regular at our holiday camps.
Who do you play for Cam? I’ve played most of my football for Wilmslow Town. In fact I joined the u6 Power League team and then went on to play from U9′ to u18’s. When our team folded last season I moved to Alderley United where I play RB and I also play for the High School 1st team.
I have many great memories of going to WFA as a kid but the one that stands out most was when Nick got absolutely soaked in a water gun fight by all the kids at Summer Camp. It seems mad that I now work with Nick too.
Cassie
Cassie says “I currently play for Stockport County and have done for the past 3 seasons. Before that I was at Macc Town.
I started with WFA at a very young age, 7 or 8 I think and I enjoyed every single minute of it and I don’t think I’d be where I am now if without growing up being coached by some of the best coaches here is at WFA!
I have lots of great memories at WFA such as Pizza Fridays and Water gun fights at Holiday Camps and being coached by Will and Nick!
I still have pictures of when I was as young as 9 holding player of the week certificates and I find it mad how I’m now a coach at WFA!
Evan “Big Ev”
Tell us Evan, what teams have you played for? All through my youth I played for Wilmslow Town where I joined straight from WFA. I now play for Egerton FC.
You always fancied yourself as strikers so what position do yo play now? Anywhere but in attack! I play CDM/ CM or CB!
Who do you support? United!
And what are your memories of WFA as a kid? I loved Saturday mornings at WFA when we were at Ashdene. I also remember scoring in front of the Sky Sports cameras when they filmed us for a news article one morning!
Tell us a random fact about you that we didn’t know: I used to wear a bandana on my head when I trained with WFA and even wore it when I was filmed scoring that goal! Unbelievable Geoff!
I am also the tallest coach WFA have ever had. That’s all I can think of!
Jacob
Jacob has been a coach at WFA for several years now and works at afterschool clubs and Saturday mornings as well as being one of our party hosts. He works mainly with Key Stage 2 children and is very accomplished young coach.
He joined WFA aged 6 and played for Wilmslow Town before trying life at several other clubs before realising that his heart lay with the Town !
Jacob is a left winger and has played there for nearly all his playing career with his clubs and the high school.
As a kid at WFA he says he has countless great memories but non will top the time in primary school when he played in a WAF Mini Euros and he scored a last minute free kick to get his school to the quarter finals. Happy days!
Sam
Super Sam is another coach that attended WFA as child from the age of 6. A former Ashdene pupil, Sam worked hard at his game and his time at WFA improved his confidence and his skill levels. He’s now a valued member of the team and the kids love his enthusiastic but laid back style of coaching.
Sam, what team do you play for? I’ve played for Wilmslow Town Colts for the past 7 seasons at RB.
Why Did you become a coach? I wanted to help other children be the best ballers that they could be. I always remember that I wasn’t the most confident footballer when I was much younger but going to WFA as a kid really helped me.
Isla
Isla is one of our newest coaches and works at a couple of afterschool clubs as well as being one of the lead coaches at our Lioness Centre on a Monday night.
She plays for Macclesfield Town and this year she travelled with them to Las Vegas to play in a tournament.
Isla started with WFA as a young player at afterschool clubs and Saturday mornings before doing her D of E with from high school.
As her confidence and knowledge of the job grows, she is fast becoming one of our best coaches and the girls on a Monday night love working with her.
