Jon Whitney

Programme Director
M.A in Football Rehabilitation
UEFA “A” Licence
  • Former Football League Manager at Walsall FC 2016-2018
  • Former Professional Player at Huddersfield Town, Lincoln City, Hull City with over 200 Professional league appearances 1993  -2001
  • CEO of The Fast Zone, Sports Performance
  • Human Performance Expert

TOMMY TAYLOR

Director of Football

​​   UEFA “A” Licence
  • Former Manager at Cambridge United, Leyton Orient, Darlington, and Peterborough in the English Football League
  • Has played over 600 professional league games, West Ham United and Leyton Orient FC 
  • Managed internationally at Kemi Kings (Finland) Floy (Norway), Grenada National Team, CD Torrevieja, (Spain)
  • Played for England u23 National Team​​

MAL SAVILLE

Assistant Programme Director

  • Mal has worked in the social service sector for over 30 years and has worked as a professional scout for numerous English League football clubs. He is presently working for Aston Villa FC, in the English Premier League.
  • As Assistant Program Director, Mal is connected to all aspects of the programme, assisting in its oversight to ensure a positive student experience as well as the general welfare of students as they study, live, and play in the academy.
  • ​Mal has been connected to the professional game for over 30 years as a scout for a wide range of football clubs across the English leagues including Brentford, Walsall, Cambridge, Leyton Orient. 

Dave Nichols

Assistant Coach


  • UEFA "B" Licence 
  • ​​​Apprentice professional at Bradford City FC and Huddersfield Town FC
  • Former academy player at semi professional club Gainsborough Town, England
  • Extensive work as academy coach at Cadmatrai Academy, Middlesbrough FC, and Huddersfield Town FC, England 
  • England Schoolboy International
  • Coached in China and the USA as part of youth development programs 

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Paul nichols

student support officer

  • B.A at Newcastle University
  • Paul is a graduate of Newcastle University who has lived and worked in Gloucester for the past 25 years and has a wide-ranging knowledge of both the City and the wider region. 
  • ​​Paul has a wide variety of skills that have involved working with people from various backgrounds including supervising, appraising staff, and liaising with a broad range of service users.
  • Paul will work closely with the Assistant Program Director to ensure students' welfare and maintain UDA academic policies as well as overall procedures for a productive and fulfilling student experience as they work towards graduation.
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