Derby County Football Club, established in 1884, is one of the founder members of the English Football League and has a rich and varied history, including two First Division titles in 1972 and 1975 and an FA Cup success in 1946. The club are currently playing in League One, the third tier of English Football, and is under the management of Head Coach, Paul Warne. The club also boasts a successful and respected Category One Academy, a status which has been held since 2014. Derby County is embarking on an exciting new era following the change in ownership to Clowes Developments (UK) Limited. Our track record of producing talent is outstanding, and we intend to protect that proud legacy, investing in key roles within the club to build on the foundations in place for success.

Derby County Football Club has an opportunity to join our Academy Coaching Team at our Category One Academy as a Lead Under 12 Coach.

Our Academy's vision is to continue to provide talented, well-balanced young professional footballers for Derby County's first-team squad and become recognised as the ‘Academy of Choice’ for young players within our local area and beyond.

Our mission is to identify, develop, and support talented young footballers so that they can achieve their maximum potential in a positive, supportive, and professional learning environment.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the day-to-day organisation and delivery of an age-specific coaching and games programme that is focused on the long-term objective of fulfilling the potential of players within the Academy.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsibility for ensuring that the Derby County Game Craft Model is effectively taught, delivered and executed in an age-appropriate manner supporting the transition from 9v9 to 11v11.


• Deliver as a Lead Coach for one age group within the Foundation Phase including all training and match day preparation, working within the framework and best practice guidelines.


• Ensure Player Individual Development Plans (IDP) are maintained, regularly updated and are at the centre of all session design, using Audit action points to work with the MDT to ensure that individual player development is at the forefront of our work.


• Working with the Head of Academy Technical Development to ensure session planning, delivery and evaluation is to the highest level both personally and for the IDP age group coach.


• To be a key stakeholder within the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) of the Foundation Phase, working closely with the Assistant Academy Manager to ensure thorough processes are in place to ensure the holistic development of all players within the Academy.


• Adhere to the framework set in review periods including weekly player feedback and match / training analysis using the correct platforms within the required time frames set.


• To lead on the age-relevant games programme, ensuring controlled, challenging and player-centered outcomes, all operational requirements are met, reporting in a timely manner to the Head of Academy Operations and Assistant Academy Manager. This will require cross phase communication and referencing on a daily basis, and will include tours and tournaments throughout the season.


• To support additional age group day release sessions and be available to work across the phases as and when required.


• To support the development of the player/parent feedback process to ensure a transparent, no-surprise process is adhered to, you will be a key point of contact for players/parents across the phase, ensuring a professional approach is always a priority.


• Working with the Head of Coach Education, Head of Academy Technical Development, and Assistant Academy Manager to support and attend regular meetings to ensure that CPD and Personal Development Plans are relevant, supported and in place to focus on staff development, ensuring application and execution of the coaching competency framework.


• To attend weekly MDT Operational meetings, providing informative input and relaying information obtained to the fellow coaching staff members.


• Play a key role within the age relevant player audit meetings, ensuring all staff are compliant and consulted in the process prior the meetings.


• Play a key role in the retain and release process within the specified age group, holding a viewpoint on age groups in year below and above.


• Be present for all team selection meetings, ensuring preplanning is completed to ensure game time is suitable in line with EPPP requirements.


• Shall hold responsibility for all kit and equipment provided for their relevant age group throughout the season.


• On a monthly basis, hold a reflective meeting with the Assistant Academy Manager to discuss the previous month and action plans for the month ahead, raising any additional resource requests required for individual groups.


• Working with the Head of Academy Technical Development and Assistant Academy Manager to ensure efficient staffing schedules are in place well in advance.


• Support the staff appraisal process by providing evidence, support, and detail as and when required.


• Develop a strong working relationship with all departments within the Academy.

Personal characteristics and experience:

• Experience of football coaching in a professional environment


• Experience of coaching 11v11 format


• Experience of coaching small sided formats in the Foundation Phase is desirable


• Experience of working with players who have progressed through the Academy system is desirable


• Experience of implementing policies and procedures and reviewing practices to ensure continuous improvement.


• Passion, desire and understanding of Youth Development


• Excellent communication and listening skills with the ability to communicate effectively across all levels.


• Ability to organise, schedule and adapt work tasks to meet conflicting deadlines and respond to changing situations


• Confident presentation skills


• Ability to work effectively as part of a team as well as independently.


• Understanding of EPPP and the audit process.


• Ability to enter data efficiently and effectively on Kitman Labs and other suitable platforms.


• Ability to work in a fast-paced, target driven environment.


• Ability to prioritise and manage own workload.

Essential Qualifications

• UEFA B Coaching Licence


• FA Advanced Youth Award (or currently working towards)


• FA First Aid Qualification


• FA Safeguarding

Salary dependent on experience

This is a full-time position based at our training ground in Oakwood, Derby.

This role will require weekend and evening work in line with the Academy programme.

Everything we do as a Club is built around the three pillars of stability, integrity, and progress. Our core values are:

• We are proud of who we are and what we do


• We are positive, inspired and passionate


• We are ambitious and driven


• We are prepared, honest and humble


• We are the heartbeat of our community


• We are the club of opportunity

Derby County employee benefits include:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays


• Two complimentary staff season tickets


• Two complimentary staff away memberships


• 20% discount at DCFC Megastore


• Company Pension with Aviva


• Discounts with select Club partners and sponsors


• Healthshield Cash Health Plan to support employee health and well-being and Perks for great deals and discounts


• Participating in our employee forum, ‘The Herd’


• Training and development opportunities


• Access to programmes and volunteering opportunities with Derby County Community Trust


• Subsidised lunchtime meals at Moor Farm