Our Coaches

All of our coaches are volunteers who give their time and expertise to support our players in getting the most out of football.

Tiny Feet - Paul Jackson

Chairman - Paul Bolton

I have been involved with GLJFC since 2011 and with grassroots football since 2008. Firstly, as a coach for my son’s team from U7 to U16 and then as chairman for the club.
I am passionate about football, the area of Gregson Lane and providing an opportunity for all to play the game in a safe and fun environment.
My proudest moment was coaching a team throughout their Junior footballing journey (U7-U16) whilst picking up the Central Lancs Manager of the Year award in 2018. My coaching journey and involvement with GLJFC has provided lots of laughs, some life lessons, an unfathomable amount of memories for all and unexpectedly, some lifelong friends.

Robert Carlaw

My journey into football management began with the 97/98 Championship Manager PC game, where I steered Cambridge Town to the Premier League n 04/05 and secured back-to-back titles in 07/08 & 08/09. Needless to say, safe to say I never need to buy a virtual drink in virtual Cambridge.
When my son Rowan joined Gregson Lane Juniors Tiny Feet, I came out of manager retirement to lend a hand when the Under 7s team formed. It's been incredibly rewarding. We have a diverse team with varying abilities, and we ensure everyone gets equal game time. Our training sessions prioritise fun while focusing on fundamental skills like ball control and dribbling.
Witnessing the team's remarkable progress in their inaugural season is truly inspiring. The players have grown not only in football prowess but also in their camaraderie, which is immensely gratifying to see.

Andrew Richardson

Joined the club towards the end of summer last year when my son, Rory, decided that he (finally!!!) wanted to start playing football. I was aware of the club as I went to school at Walton-Le-Dale some 20 years ago and even then many of my school friends played with Gregson Lane. John Eastham lives a couple of doors down from me and his son has played with the club ever since I’ve known them. Rory’s school friend Rowan also played with Gregson Lane and thus it was fairly easy to turn up and get involved. Once Rory was happy and committed to signing on it was an easy decision for me to get involved. Rob needed an assistant and I was probably more involved than I should have been at training sessions and with the couple of friendlies that we had.

 

I’ve genuinely been surprised at how much I’ve loved being involved. Originally I’m from Blackburn but moved to Hoghton circa 7-8 years ago and I’ve never been more involved and felt more a part of the community since joining the football club. The kids we have on the team and those that come to training are really good kids, as are their parents, and it’s been great to see their development from the beginning of the season to now. All the kids have made great improvements and continue to do so on a weekly basis.

Ryan McManus

I have been with the club since 2023, and I decided to get involved with the coaching because my son is part of the team. The club had a large number of U7’s available and needed to enter two teams into the league so I thought it would be good to take over the second team and put my football knowledge back into the community by helping the youngest players learn the game and develop into the best players they can be. A highlight of my time with the club was seeing how happy all the boys were when they managed to get their first victory after a tough first couple of months, but every week is a highlight seeing the lads improve each week in training and in their matches but most of all seeing how happy they are to be playing the game with their friends and having a great time doing so.

David Southworth

I've been coaching football for over 10 years and have a huge passion for junior football.
2024 is my first year at Gregson Lane as the assistant manager and I decided to help as my son Tommy is part of the team and I love the set up at Gregson Lane.
I've loved working with Ryan this year and watching the team grow so much.
Highlight for me is watching my sons first goal and how much fun the boys have win, lose or draw.

Ryan Collier

I am thrilled to share my journey into the heart of grassroots football, I have always been an ardent supporter of the beautiful game, not just as a spectator, but as an advocate for its power to bring communities together, foster teamwork, and develop the character of our young players.

November 2023, Harry and my nephew Benjamin joined the Gregson Lane Juniors Football Club family, eager to watch my son Harry and his teammates in the Under 8 Whites flourish. The world of grassroots football, with its pure enthusiasm and raw talent, has always resonated with me, and I looked forward to being part of the club's journey.

However, when unexpected turmoil threatened the stability and progress of our young team, I felt a deep responsibility to step forward—not just as a parent but as someone who believes in the values and potential of grassroots football. It was with great pride and a sense of duty that I accepted the role of football manager for Harry's team on the 5th December 2023.

This decision was not made lightly. It stems from a desire to provide stability, guidance, and support to a group of incredibly talented and dedicated young players who deserve the best possible start in their footballing lives. I believe in nurturing not just their skills on the pitch but also their sportsmanship, their respect for one another, and their love for the game.

As we embark on this journey together, I am committed to creating an environment where our players can thrive, have fun, and develop a lifelong passion for football. I am honored to be a part of this team and excited to contribute to the legacy of the Gregson Lane Juniors Football Club.

Simon Robinson

My son James joined Gregson Lane in early 2023 and developed a real passion for all things football. Seeing the enjoyment he gets out playing football and being part of a team, inspired me. Having played football myself through my younger years, he reignited my passion for football. When the opportunity came to become a coach, I jumped at the chance, hoping to enable kids to enjoy football in the same way James does.
My proudest moment came at our spring tournament, despite our team getting knocked out early in the group stage. They all looked like a together team, helping each other, cheering each other on and they all enjoyed their day.

Adam Simpkins

Martin Holliday

38 years old

Former semi professional footballer

Been with the club since u6s.

I chose to become a coach because I have a huge interest in the game and wanted to help young players grow as people and players, both individually and as part of a team. I also wanted to see youngsters enjoy playing the game by being relaxed and expressing themselves without any pressures. My son also plays for the team. The highlight for me is seeing how much the team improve year upon year, working our way to play at the highest ability level and seeing friendships form.

Treasurer - Paul Jackson

I have been with the club since my eldest son James started playing with U7s in 21/22 season. My youngest Robert is now playing his first seasonand both are already better players than their Dad ever was! Accepting I have little to offer in footballing ability I am focusing on contributing to the longer termsuccess of GLJFC in my roles supporting our hardworking Committee members and managers.

Wayne Martindale

We had 14 players registered so myself and Dave Rowen made the decision to split the team into 2 teams. This created our whites and blacks and giving us 2 teams in an age group (the 1st time in 3 years to have more than one team in an age group).
We had a difficult start to our adventure with covid putting us into lockdown. We finally got to play games again but away from central venue and u7s and u8s playing home and away fixtures.
The highlight of my journey has been watching the kids grow and enjoy and have fun. When I look back at our 1st sessions at u5s and how they ran around having fun and not even knowing how to play football and to now where they are so focused but also having fun.

Kirsty O'Connor

I've been with the club since 2022 with both my boys, 11 and 9 years old, when they joined Gregson Lane JFC. But I only became a coach in January 2024.

I became a coach to help keep the U11's team together, after the previous coach left in October 2024 and no-one else stepped up to help the team. I did it to keep my boys in a football team, but also, for the other players too, so they could still enjoy playing football.

My highlights would be, seeing the smiles on the players faces when they score a goal, or receive POTM trophy. Being part of a team, is something I'm proud of. The players are happy, they come to training each week and enjoy themselves and this shows on match days too

Simon Carey

Been with the club since 2014.

Started to coach due to both sons playing for the club

Highlights , Being involved winning the cup competition with both my sons on separate occasions.

Secretary - John Eastham

Since being young, I have always taken part in sport. I am passionate about sport. I played for cubs, my school, Preston schoolboys as a teenager and until my late twenties in the Sunday League. I studied sports science at college. I am a season ticket holder at Preston North End FC so I’m used to the highs and lows associated with football !! I am now an FA qualified coach loving my time as the youth team manager as well as one of the clubs fully qualified welfare officers, upholding the values of the club.

I got involved in coaching as my son joined the club when he was five years old and as I love football it was a natural progression to offer my support to the club and my local community. I want the players to know that they matter, grow in confidence, to believe in themselves, express themselves, playing freely on the pitch, be the best that they can be, developing their talent, representing their club and community and I care passionately that they enjoy their football experience, making friends for life and gaining valuable life experiences. Grassroots football is a chance for all who take part to feel part of something amazing making memories for life!
For success, a positive attitude is equally important as ability. If you love football, results don’t change your passion because the aim is always to improve and develop your understanding of the game.
I have made some great friends through Gregson Lane Football Club, meeting some amazing people who give their time freely and I have come to realise that people participating in grassroots football have different motivations but what’s important is that they enjoy the experience. I certainly do.

Adults - Chris Lowe

I have been part of the Gregson Lane family for around 13-14 years, like most coaches, I caught the bug following my son’s games.

As my own football playing days came to an end I still had the bug and chose to get involved with my son's team (under 10s). I think I am a better coach than a player and my son tells me so!
Fast forwarding a few years, this is now my twelfth year coaching in this club, starting @ under 10’s, and like most, helping out soon leads to taking ownership of the team.
I am extremely passionate about football, my team, and this club hence I was crazy enough to get involved on the committee.
My Roles covered in my Gregson Lane journey have been:
Fitness Coach/ Coach/Manager/ Adult & Youth Liaison Officer/ Registration Secretary/ Facilities and now Vice Chairman.
My proudest moment was being the 1st team to take a team through the Youth system and progress to Adult football.
My Passion is to inspire and grow this club to its true potential. My second passion is the Frank Thompson pitch and trying to restore this to its former glory and make it the best pitch in the Region.
I am proud to admit that I am so passionate about this club, 2 years ago I got a Gregson Lane Tattoo for my 10th year of coaching, I am not sure it’s a trend that will catch on but we will see.

Adults Assistant - Andrew Middleton

Corben Smith

My journey as a manager started way before I picked up the bag of footballs and a whiteboard, my journey started when I started playing for gregson lane almost 20 years ago, I had a brilliant coach and over the years of playing under him I knew I wanted to give that same experience to a team of my own, I took on my own team June 2024 when I took on the under 8 silvers, who are now under 9,and have loved every minute of it since, I’ve had so much support from everyone in the club from the committee to the parents, it’s been a journey and I wouldn’t change it for the world

Stephen Baker

I’ve been part of Gregson Lane since the days when my son Jack was running around in Tiny Feet. A couple of years ago, I joined the coaching staff for the Under-9s Blacks team, and from then on, something really special has grown.

Between myself, Ryan, and David, we’ve formed a strong bond both on and off the pitch. From every training session through to match day, the three of us work together, constantly talking, learning, and sharing ideas to help our players.

Our goal has always been the same: to give every single player the chance to improve, to learn, and to become the best version of themselves — not just as footballers, but as lads too.

We honestly can’t say enough about our players. We’re extremely proud of each and every one of them, and we’ll always be there to support them all the way.”

Matt Torbett

I’m 45. I was born in Blackburn and brought up in Clitheroe. Currently live in New Longton. Massive Man United fan. Love taking my son who plays for Gregson Lane, to Old Trafford. I played a lot of football when I was young. I loved playing centre half or in the centre of midfield. I’m a firm believer in making football fun, win, lose or draw.

Interested in Coaching or Helping out the Club?

If you are interested in becoming a coach or parent helper please get in touch.  We support our coaches through all training and DBS and welcome people from all backgrounds to get involved.