The
Team
Comprised of professional players and coaches alike, the Ferdinand Football Club boasts a wealth of experience in the game and every member is dedicated to the development of all our young players.
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Anton
Ferdinand
FFG Director
As a success of the West Ham United academy, Anton played for West Ham Utd, Queens Park Rangers, Sunderland, Bursaspor, Antalyaspor and Reading.
A regular selection for England’s Under-21 side, having made his debut in a 3–1 win over Ukraine at the Riverside Stadium on 17 August 2004.
Anton Ferdinand
As a success of the West Ham United academy, Anton played for West Ham Utd, Queens Park Rangers, Sunderland, Bursaspor, Antalyaspor and Reading.
A regular selection for England’s Under-21 side, having made his debut in a 3–1 win over Ukraine at the Riverside Stadium on 17 August 2004.
Anton retired from professional football in July 2019 and now is looking to give something back to grass roots football:
“Grassroots football was one of the highlights of my childhood, playing football with my friends, learning people skills, improving my work ethic whilst also having fun. For that I feel it’s only right I give back to something that played a pivotal role in making me who I am today. With FFG I’ll be doing exactly that and I cannot wait to offer more kids the opportunity to play this wonderful game”
Daniel
Cornall
FFG Director & Head of FFG Academy
Daniel has worked in the football industry for over 15 years and has a vast amount of experience working with all different age groups from U4 – Adults.
Daniel’s journey started by working for West Ham United Community Scheme progressing up the ladder from a Coach to a Development Officer.
Daniel Cornall
Daniel has worked in the football industry for over 15 years and has a vast amount of experience working with all different age groups from U4 – Adults.
Daniel’s journey started by working for West Ham United Community Scheme progressing up the ladder from a Coach to a Development Officer. In 2009, Daniel was successful in gaining a role with Chelsea Football Club Foundation as a Football Development Officer. Within this role, Daniel worked for Chelsea Football Club Academy as the Head Coach for their Development Centres in Essex and London, as well as working with their U13’s with Michael Beale as the head coach. Daniel represented Chelsea Football Clubs international department abroad to South Korea, Mexico, Japan and Spain. These trips provided Daniel with an opportunity to work with different nationalities and observing how their different football philosophy.
From 2018, Daniel created his own company called EssexEPD that became very successful over a short amount of time in the delivery of Football & Futsal session across Essex, with over 200 children participating weekly. Daniel has also been successful in achieving funding for the delivery of Adults Futsal and Wildcats Girls only programme. Daniel has delivered many successful partnerships with ‘elite’ clubs and provided the opportunity for players to play with ‘elite’ players.
Over Daniel’s coaching journey, he has gained many qualifications to ensure his knowledge keeps increasing when working with players. Daniel’s qualifications include a Coaching for Performance in Football BSc (Hons) UEFA B Football and Futsal accreditation. Additionally, Daniel worked for his local FA (Essex) as FA Mentor in supporting Grassroots Coaches and FA Futsal Level 1 tutor.
“I have had the opportunity to work with many great people, partners and players throughout my career. This Is an opportunity I am really excited about. Being led and working with a former Premiership Footballer will enable us to give the players a fantastic insight of achieving their goal of trying to play at their highest level possible. Personally, my aim is to create the correct pathway’s for our players in our programmes; whether you’re an elite footballer or just starting on your football journey. In addition, at FFG our focus is not just football- It is to be the biggest deliverer of different diverse projects across the country and this falls correctly under our company slogan ‘Everyone’s Game’.”
Keir
Taiani
Level 2 coach
Keir is a level 2 coach in both futsal and football.
Keir Taiani
Keir is a level 2 coach in both futsal and football, has recently completed his Sport Performance and Coaching degree at the University of Essex and is always looking to learn more. Keir First started coaching in 2016, volunteering with an U10 team with Rayleigh FC while working in finance in London before deciding to go back into education, to follow his passions and strive to build a career in football. While studying for his degree, Keir began working for Dan Cornall at Essex EPD where he learned how important grassroots community coaching can be for children in both their footballing and personal development. While working with Dan, Keir took over the role of “Games Development Officer”, responsible for setting up fixtures and tournaments in futsal and football. In this role Keir enjoyed great success with his teams and formed strong relationships with the players he coached.
“I am extremely passionate about coaching, seeing how a group of players or an individual develops over time is the most satisfying part of my job, the 1 to 1 training programmes at FFG are great for this. I am very fortunate to be in a position where I look forward to going into work everyday and I like to challenge myself as much as I try to challenge all the children that I work with everyday with FFG. I take great inspiration from my School PE teachers Danny and Nick Cowley, who have gone on to achieve great things in football and currently manage Portsmouth in SkyBet League 1. Their ethos of hard work and positive attitude is one that I value very highly and try to take into every session I coach. “You get out what you put in” was a common saying from the Cowley brothers.
From his time at University Keir has developed an aptitude to Sports Psychology, writing his dissertation on “How Effectiveness of Coaching Impacts a Players’ Confidence”. Keir tries to always consider the psychological component of the FA 4 corner model when he coaches as he tries to gain a greater understanding on how psychological factors impact young footballers. As well as this, Keir excelled in his “Performance Analysis” modules which help him when evaluating player performance. This evaluation is then used as a development tool to highlight key areas, within which players should look to improve.
“Having the opportunity to work for Ferdinand Football Group is such an exciting and challenging prospect for me. I have worked hard to earn my place here and I hope to develop myself alongside all our players and coaches. For me, it’s important to feel like you are part of a team that are just as passionate about football as myself, which I’m confident that we have here at FFG.”
Kevin
Aylett
Level 2 coach
Head of FFG Development for Billericay
Kevin Aylett
Kevin has more than 16 years coaching experience with over 10 years working in the USA within the states of New Jersey, Massachusetts and Florida. The positions held within that time, range from Residential Camp Director, Girls Director, Technical Director and Director of Coaching.
In Orlando Florida, Kevin was the Director of Coaching for a 500 plus player youth club and responsible for the Head Coaches with over 30 teams. Implementing of the style of play, systems of play and club philosophy/culture within the Club. Educated staff through professional development, coach mentor, technical customer service. Management of football programs from ages U5-18. Responsible for curriculum development ages U5-18 including recreation, competitive, residential camps, fitness & skills testing, scouting networks & try-outs. In addition to being Head Coach for boys & girls’ teams aged U8-18.
More recently Kevin, has been working within the Ipswich Town Community Trust program this summer.
Kevin is FA Level Two and USSF B licensed and currently studying Sports, Fitness and Coaching with the Open University
Colin Wilson
UEFA B coach
Colin is our Area Manager for Thurrock
Colin Wilson
Colin is a UEFA B Licenced football coach who also holds the FA Advanced Youth Award & BA Hons Degree in Coach Education and Participation Development.
Colin has been coaching football for around 15 years at all levels, from grassroots to professional, and been fortunate enough to see his players grow and develop into good football players and great people.
The majority of Colin’s coaching career so far has been at Liverpool Football Club where he started in the Academy working with some players who are now representing the first team and international teams.
More recently, Colin has been Academy Manager & Head Coach of Liverpool football clubs International Academy, Establishing and running the clubs academies in the Middle East & Asia.
“This biggest achievement any youth coach can have I believe is seeing their players progress on their own football journey, whatever the destination may be.”
Charlotte Anderson
Bachelor’s Honours undergraduate
ex Southend United
Lead Women’s Football
Charlotte Anderson
I have been coaching football for the past 2 years and have studied coaching in sport as part as my BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport Development, Coaching and Fitness and my bachelor’s Honours undergraduate degree in Sport and Exercise Performance. Through this I was able to increase my coaching knowledge and apply this to practical sessions.
I also used to work as an activity leader for a holiday activity camp that engages children from the ages 5-12 old through multi-sport games and more to inspire children to make new friends and remain active through the holidays. This helped as I was able to gain experience working with grassroot ages.
I am a level 1 football coach and was awarded this certificated when I played for Southend United and currently doing my level 2.
I have been playing football since I was 5 years old and I have always enjoyed working as part as a team. What I enjoy about coaching, is being a positive sporting role model for the children to help inspire them to keep taking part in sport throughout their life and watching players progress over time.
Over the last 6 months I have been able to observe and gain knowledge on futsal and have found that it is a fast moving and interesting game and have really enjoyed the sessions I have attended.
I have chosen to work for FFG because it has given me the opportunity to work alongside brilliant coaches that have encouraged and supported me, as well as bringing me outside of my comfort zone. Being part of this team has allowed my confidence to grow and become more passionate about football and futsal.
Having the opportunity to work FFG is both thrilling and challenging for me. I believe I have worked hard to help develop as a coach and as I continue to work for FFG I hope to gain more knowledge and qualifications that can help me develop further.
I am so excited for the opportunity to become FFG’s face of wildcats and coaching more of our girls only development centres to inspire more girls to take part and enjoy football.