Board & Staff
BOARD OF DIRECTORS & Our game in manchester chairs
John McLellan-Grant (Executive Director & Chair of the Board), Elliot Ward (Senior Non-Executive Director & Marketing and Comms Champion), Colin Bridgford (Director & Company Secretary)
Chris Armstrong (Independent Non-Executive Director & Health and Wellbeing Champion), Karen Bardsley (Independent Non-Executive Director & Women and Girls Board Champion), Will Blandamer (Independent Non-Executive Director & Safeguarding Board Champion), Rebecca Britain (Executive Director & Professional Game Lead), Dan Jones (Independent Non-Executive Director, Finance & Risk Lead), Anika Leslie-Walker (Independent Non-Executive Director & Equality and Diversity Lead), Geraldine Ryan (Independent Non-Executive Director & Compliance and Legal Lead)
Paul Graham (Referee Development Team)
Shannon Howarth (Women & Girls Group)
Keith Marsden (League Working Group)
Rob Goodwin-Davey (Competitions Working Group)
STAFF
Colin Bridgford
Chief Executive Officer & Senior Safeguarding Lead
Supports: Manchester United
Role: To lead the Manchester FA team and ensure the business represents the needs of its members.
Lauren McCorry
Designated Safeguarding Officer
Supports: Manchester United
Role: To act as a source of advice on safeguarding matters. But also support training and education.
Rachael Birchall
Chief Operating Officer
Supports: Bedford Town
Role: To deliver a Football Development Strategy and develop strong partnerships with key stakeholders.
Rachael.Birchall@ManchesterFA.com
Linda Meehan
Finance Controller
Supports: Manchester United
Role: To manage the finance across the whole of the business and ensure it is financially sound.
FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT
Kathryn smith
Football Development Manager
Supports: Leeds United
Role: To lead our team of Football Development Officers, including Clubs & Leagues, Referees, Coaches, Women & Girls, Male & Disability Pathways.
Kathryn.Smith@ManchesterFA.com
Joe Mathias
Football Development Officer (Clubs & Leagues)
Supports: Manchester United
Role: To support the development of Manchester FA registered Clubs & Leagues
Georgie Oliver
Facility Development Officer
Supports: Leicester City
Role: To strategically support the development of football facilities across Greater Manchester
Nicole Flynn
Women's Recreational Officer
Supports: Celtic
Role: To provide opportunities to enhance recreational football provision for Women across Greater Manchester.
Nicole.Flynn@ManchesterFA.com
Conor Brown
Referee Development Officer
Supports: Rochdale AFC
Role: To support, recruit, retain and develop Manchester FA Match Officials
James Longdin
Coach Development Officer
Supports: Manchester City
Role: To support and development the Grassroots coaching network across Greater Manchester.
Leigh Gell
Football Development Officer (Women & Girls)
Supports: Arsenal
Role: To strategically support the development and opportunities of the Women & Girls Game in Greater Manchester
Leigh.Gell@ManchesterFA.com
FOOTBALL SERVICES
paul Roots
Football Services Manager & Deputy Senior Safeguarding Lead
Supports: AFC Bournemouth
Role: To lead our team of Football Services Officers, including the discipline, competitions, referee appointments, regulations and customer services functions of Manchester FA.
Matt Wood
Content & Media Officer
Supports: Derby County
Role: To operationally manage Manchester FA marketing & communications channels including, newsletters, social media content & website.
Matthew.Wood@ManchesterFA.com
Andy McAnulty
Football Services Officer (Discipline & Membership)
Supports: Hyde United
Role: Administers all aspects of Manchester FA discipline cases.
Dan Sykes
Football Services Officer (Appointments & Membership)
Supports: Salford City
Role: To coordinate and appoint Manchester FA registered match officials to our County Cup competitions & Professional Academy Programmes.
Aimee Cook
Football Services Officer (Competitions & Membership)
Supports: Manchester City
Role: To operationally manager our County Cup Competitions whilst also supporting and developing member clubs and leagues in Greater Manchester.
Simon Dear
Football Services Officer (Membership & Compliance)
Supports: Manchester City
Role: To operationally support Manchester FA members with safeguarding compliance including DBS verifications & safeguarding education.
Simon.Dear@ManchesterFA.com
