Academy Lead Foundation Phase Coach (8-11s) (Full Time)

Organisation: Millwall Football Club
Salary: TBC on Interview
Location: Millwall Academy, Well Hall, Kidbrooke Lane, London, SE9 6TE
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 13 June 2025
Job Description: Salary: TBC

Location: Well Hall Training Ground, Kidbrooke Lane, Eltham, SE9 6TE

Hours of work: Full Time, Permanent. Flexible working hours, including evenings and weekend fixtures

About us: Established in 1885, Millwall Football Club is one of the most famous football clubs in England. Currently competing in the EFL Championship, they play their home games at The Den, which is based in South Bermondsey, and has been the home of the Club since 1994.

Role Overview:

An exciting opportunity has arisen at Millwall Football Club of the English Football League for a full time Lead Foundation Phase coach to support in the leadership and management of the football operations of its foundation phase players, parents and staff at our training ground facility in Eltham.

The primary focus will be to lead the delivery of high-level training sessions and game day coaching of an age group within the phase, continuously improving players individually and collaboratively within the Millwall How We Play, Coach & Support models. Although assigned to an age group the successful candidate will also support/lead in the development of the other academy foundation phase teams and be responsible for the successful transition of players into our youth development age groups.

The role will also lead and supervise the individual development plans for your designated age group and phase including reviews of such plans from a technical, tactical, physical & leadership perspective. The candidate will require an ability to identify these requirements and apply appropriate coaching strategies tailored to individuals and foundation phase players.

The lead phase coach will also need to work collaboratively with all key stakeholders to maintain positive relationships with players, technical staff, parents/guardians, whilst liaising with the recruitment department for the selection of players in line with club profiles.



The successful candidate shall also display attributes that align with the values of the academy.

Attitude – Selfless – Respect – Integrity – Respect – Excellence

And finally, from a safeguarding perspective, the successful candidate should be resilient, self-aware and open to sharing information.

Key Responsibilities:

The role includes, but is not limited to:

· Uphold and demonstrate the values, standards & behaviours expected by Millwall Football Club, inside & outside of training and matchdays for foundation phase players & staff

· Leading the plan-do-review process of a foundation phase age group training & matchday’s, ensuring delivery of relevant, innovative and enjoyable practices across our training groups within the phase, in line with our How We Coach strategy

· Assist with combined training sessions of foundation phase players when appropriate

· Drive the additional fixture program of the foundation phase, to ensure we obtain more minutes for more players within a variety of different contexts, formats and vs different oppositions

· Lead the essential meetings required with the multidisciplinary team, incl MDT reviews of players, department meetings and quarterly reviews for the foundation phase

· Devise and implement individual development plans for all foundation phase players in connection with the multi-disciplinary team. Including a review every block

· Monitor and report on team training, match minutes & reviews on Millwall intelligence platform in connection with the coaching and multi-disciplinary team

· To line manage the foundation phase coaching staff to ensure daily tasks and other EPPP requirements are achieved

· Leading communication and scheduling with staff and parents of the foundation phase age groups on through the Teamworks communication platform

Essential Requirements / Qualifications:

· Minimum of UEFA B Licence and Advanced Youth Award (8-12s)

· Experience in coaching academy footballers at U8-11s, in a lead capacity

· An understanding and ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team

· Demonstrates professionalism and high standards in creating, implementing & reviewing individual player development plans, recording evidence, providing reports and feedback to players, parents and academy management staff

· Knowledge and understanding of EPPP requirements

· Excellent knowledge and understanding of player development requirements from an age specific capacity

· Organisational qualities to plan, meet deadlines and keep accurate records within administrative tasks

· Communication skills to deliver and support key messages, and sustain positive working relationships

· Ability to solve problems within a fast-moving environment



Desired Requirements / Qualifications:

· UEFA A Licence

· Previous experience and knowledge of the recruitment process

· Previous experience in leading and managing staff

· Experience working within academy EPPP settings previously

· Drivers licence

To Apply: Please apply via the iRecruit website.

All applications need to be sent via the I-recruit system: https://irecruit.efl.com/vacancies/vacancy-search-results.aspx



Closing date for applications: Friday 13th June 2025



This document is a guide only and should not be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an outline indication of the areas of activity and will be amended in the light of changing needs of the organisation. All employees may be required to undertake any other duties as may be reasonably requested.

Millwall Football Club are fully committed to equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-discrimination. We will work to address areas of under-representation and disadvantage in all aspects of our operations, activities and services. In practice, this means that we will respect the needs of each and every individual regardless of their differences; and to this end we will deliver our operations, activities and services in such a way so as to ensure that that no one is excluded.

‘Millwall FC is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk. The successful candidate may be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check through The FA DBS process. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information given.’

Safeguarding Policy Statement

Because of the nature of the work undertaken by The Millwall Football and Athletic Company (1985) Limited (MFC), it is required by law to have in place robust safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure the protection of children, young people and adults at risk. To ensure that MFC meets that duty - and as part of a proactive, integrated and consistent approach to safeguarding - the organisation has developed a Safeguarding Handbook.

What is safeguarding?

Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and protect them from harm. Safeguarding means protecting people from abuse, maltreatment, neglect, harm and/or exploitation. Through MFC setting up and following good safeguarding policies and procedures, it means that children, young people and adults at risk - that come into contact with our organisation - are protected from those that might pose a risk. All organisations that work with (or come into contact with) children, young people and adults at risk are required to have safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure that everyone - regardless of their age, gender, religion or ethnicity - can be protected from harm.

MFC’s Safeguarding Ethos

MFC will always seek to provide protection to any person that receives our services. To this end MFC will provide staff and volunteers with guidance on procedures they should adopt in the event that they suspect a person may be experiencing, or be at risk of, harm. MFC believes that a no one should ever experience abuse of any kind. MFC have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk to keep them safe. MFC are committed to work in a way that protects them. This Safeguarding Policy Statement applies to everyone that comes into contact with MFC - including as applicable - the Board of Directors & Executive Team, Senior Managers, Staff, Agency Staff, Contractors, Suppliers, Volunteers, Students on work experience, as well as anyone else working on behalf of MFC. This policy also applies to any other person that engages with the work of MFC and includes parents, carers, families and other visitors to MFC premises.

Safeguarding at MFC

MFC places the safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk as its prime focus and has developed full safeguarding policies and procedures. To underpin the approach, MFC ensures all of its management team, staff members and volunteers have been fully trained in safeguarding to enable the organisation to live and breathe its approach. In developing MFC’s safeguarding policies and procedures, the organisation has adopted the following three-part safeguarding strategy which focuses on:

1.      Getting the right people involved with MFC

This is achieved through adherence to MFC’s Safer Recruitment Policies and Procedures.

2.      Creating a safe environment for children, young people & adults at risk

This is achieved by providing all required safeguarding training, support and best practice advice; and further guidance by the effective communication of MFC’s Codes of Conduct.

3.      Promoting clear systems to deal with any safeguarding concerns

This is achieved through implementation of all MFC’s policies and procedures relating to safeguarding.

A full copy of MFC’s Safeguarding Handbook is available by speaking with (or contacting) the MFC person responsible for safeguarding.
How to apply: To Apply: Please apply via the iRecruit website. All applications need to be sent via the I-recruit system: https://irecruit.efl.com/vacancies/vacancy-search-results.aspx Closing date for applications: Friday 13th June 2025