MEET THE TEAM
Demir Vavan
Founder & Academy Director
Demir Vavan founded the academy in 2012 and his role as Academy – Managing Director is to oversee the football & academic performance of the academy. He holds the UEFA Licensed coaching qualification and has had over 10 years’ experience working with professional football clubs including: AFC Bournemouth, Birmingham City FC, & Northampton Town FC. With an impressive coaching career to date Demir has worked with many International, Premier League & English football league players who have gone onto play at the highest levels in the game. With a proven track record in developing youth players Demir specialises in 1-2-1 training along with progressing players onto professional clubs via the Future Pro Academy recruitment programme.
Mark Muddyman
Academy Manager
UEFA A Licensed Coach with Over 15 years’ experience in the professional academy system. Mark has worked with players including Jude Bellingham and Jadon Sancho during his time at Birmingham City FC & Watford FC academy. Mark holds a BSc (Hons) in Physical Education & Sports Coaching Science.
David Phillips
Lead Coach
UEFA A Licensed Coach, Ex Wales Senior International player with over 600 professional league games at club level. Teams represented include Manchester City FC, Nottingham Forest FC, and Coventry City FC amongst many others. Over 20 years' experience coaching in the professional academy and college environment with a proven track record developing players such as Callum Wilson & Will Hughes amongst many others.
Mark O'Leary
Head of Operations
UEFA A Licensed coach with over 15 years of experience across top academies, including Lincoln City, Chesterfield FC, Grimsby Town, Hull City FC, and Leicester City FC. He also brings valuable first-team experience from the women’s game with Derby County FC. Now joining Future Pro as Academy Operations & Business Manager, Mark’s leadership and deep football knowledge will be key in driving our academy forward on and off the pitch..
Adam Taylor
Higher Education Lecturer / Academy Coach
UEFA B Licensed coach with over 10 years of experience, including a key role at Peterborough United FC Women and part-time coaching with Leicester City FC Academy. Holding a BSc in Coaching and Sport Science and qualified as a tutor, Adam brings a strong blend of academic knowledge and practical expertise to the FP team as an Academy Coach & Lecturer. His passion for youth development will be a valuable asset in supporting our players' growth on and off the pitch.
Sophie Bourton
FE Lead Lecturer & Female Lead Coach
UEFA B Licensed Coach with over 10 years' coaching experience. Sophie holds a BSc Honours in Sports & Exercise Science. Sophie has over 8 years' experience teaching in the further education sector with ages 16-19.
JAMIE KRUMINS
Football Operations Lead & Academy Coach
UEFA B Licensed Coach with over 10 years' coaching experience. Jamie is a part-time coach at Coventry City FC Academy working in the Foundation / Youth Development Phase.
Jordan Lymn
FE Lecturer / Academy Coach
UEFA Licensed Coach with over 10 years' coaching experience. Jordan a former professional footballer at Cheltenham Town FC currently playing Step 4 Semi Professional Football for Worcester City FC. Jordan holds a BSc Honours in Sports & Exercise Science & a qualified tutor who will bring a range of experiences to our programme working across our Further Education Sector.
Callum Maspers
Marketing & Recruitment
Over 5 years' experience in Digital Marketing and Operations. Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing & Level 3 Personal Trainer Certification.
Tom Bates
Performance Psychologist Consultant
UEFA A Licensed Coach with over 20 year's experience working with world-class elite professional athletes. Tom has worked with a number of elite professional clubs including Aston Villa FC, Brentford FC and West Bromwich Albion FC amongst many others. Tom is a specialist in practising Sport Psychology..
