Meet The Team
Matt Walsh was at Preston North End for 9 Years from age 8 – 17, eventually being released from the Club a number of years ago.
At age 15, Matt had trials for England U15s. During his time at PNE, Matt had numerous approaches from Manchester United (over a 3-year Period), Blackburn Rovers, Everton, Leeds United, Aston Villa and Barnsley.
Matt has been coached by former Man Utd & Everton and current West Ham manager David Moyes during his time at Preston North End. He was also Coached by Former West Ham United Assistant Manager & Former Blackpool F.C Manager Neil McDonald for 2 Years, as well as Former Barnsley Manager Simon Davey for 2 Years.
Shortly after leaving Preston North End, Matt moved to the U.S.A to play when he was 19. Matt was offered a 4 Year scholarship to play in California. Unfortunately, after failing to recover from injury, Matt had to return to England.
After returning to England, Matt turned his attentions to coaching.
Matt was the creator of The Football Development Programme © in 2005.
Matt took his UEFA ‘B’ Licence in May 2011 with the PFA and passed the Course in February 2012.
Matt passed the FA Youth Award in January 2016.
Matt took his UEFA ‘A’ Licence in April 2018 and passed the Course in May 2019.
Matt passed his Advanced Youth Award (AYA) in December 2020.
Matt worked at Blackburn Rovers Academy from August 2014 to August 2018, working with players from U8’s to U14’s.
Matt started coaching at Burnley FC Academy from September 2018, working with players from U13’s – U16’s.
From March 2020, Matt started working Full Time at Burnley FC, working with players from U13’s – U21’s.
As of April 2024, Matt was promoted to U18’s coach at Burnley FC.
Lewis Hamlin was at Blackburn Rovers Academy from age 9 – 14.
After leaving Blackburn Rovers, Lewis signed a Scholarship at Bolton Wanderers at age 17.
During his time at Bolton Wanderers, he captained the U19 side & was a regular member of the reserve team squad.
Lewis featured in the first team match day squad at age 19 in the FA Cup.
Lewis left Bolton at age 19 and went on to play for Larne FC (N. Ireland) and Glenavon FC (N. Ireland) in the NIFL Premiership.
Lewis is a UEFA B Licence Coach, previously working at Blackburn Rovers Academy as the U21 Lead Coach.
Lewis is also a qualified PE Teacher.
Lewis only Coaches Part Time at The Football Development Programme. Helping out during Half Term and Summer Courses.
Sam Keates
Sam currently works full time at Manchester City F.C. working with the U12’s, starting his role in January 2021.
Sam was previously the Assistant Foundation Coach at Burnley F.C. working with the U9’s – U12’s, from September 2017 to December 2020.
Sam was also in charge of the Pre Academy at Burnley FC, working with the U7’s and U8’s.
Sam is a UEFA ‘B’ Licence Coach and also holds the FA Advanced Youth Award, which he completed in October 2019.
Sam only Coaches Part Time at The Football Development Programme. Helping out during Half Term and Summer Courses.
Ash Higgins was at Preston North End from age 17-19, playing for both the youth and reserve team.
Ash passed his UEFA ‘B’ Licence in August 2014 and his FA Youth Award in January 2016.
Ash also holds the FA Advanced Youth Award which he passed in November 2017.
Ash passed his UEFA ‘A’ Licence in November 2018.
Ash has previously been Lead Foundation Phase Coach at Preston North End (U5’s to U11’s)
Ash left Preston North End to join Blackburn Rovers Academy as the Assistant Foundation Phase Coach (U9’s to U12’s)
Ash worked Full Time at Burnley FC as the Lead Foundation Phase Coach (U9’s to U12’s) for 2 years.
Ash worked at Liverpool FC Full Time from September 2019 to January 2021 as the Lead U11’s Coach.
From 2021 – 2025, Ash was the Head of Coaching at Burnley FC Academy.
As of September 2025, Ash works Full Time with the FA, as a Coach Developer / Educator.
Ash only Coaches Part Time at The Football Development Programme. Helping out during Half Term and Summer Courses.
Josh O’Keefe
Josh was at at Blackburn Rovers from the Age of 13, eventually Signing Professional Forms at the Age of 17.
Josh spent 8 years at Blackburn, playing in both the Youth Team and regularly in the Reserve Team.
After Leaving Blackburn Rovers in 2009, Josh went on to play for Walsall, Lincoln City and Hereford United.
Josh has also Represented the Republic of Ireland U’21s back in 2008, playing against Austria U’21s.
Josh continues to help out during Half term and Summer Football Courses.
Josh played for Chorley F.C. for 4 years but in June 2020 he announced his retirement from Football.
Josh currently works at Fleetwood Town FC as a First Team Physiotherapist.
Josh only Coaches Part Time at The Football Development Programme. Helping out during Half Term and Summer Courses.
Dave Tobin
Dave currently coaches Part Time at Burnley FC Academy, in which he lead the U11’s.
Dave is a UEFA ‘B” Licence Coach and also hold the FA Advanced Youth Award, which he completed in January 2020.
Dave previously worked at Blackburn Rovers Academy for 6 years.
Dave has been working at Burnley FC Academy for 7. Dave now works Full Time at Burnley FC Academy, Leading the U9s – U10s.
Dave Coaches only Part – Time for The Football Development Programme © during some Half Term / Summer Football Courses.
Frank Chiarella moved to the UK in 2012 from Australia. He is a vastly experienced Futsal Goalkeeper playing Professionally in Australia.
Most notably, playing for Melbourne Heart Futsal Club in Australia.
Frank unfortunately had to finish playing due to a serious Knee Injury, when he turned his attentions to Coaching.
Frank was the Head Coach at Manchester Futsal Club, winning the North League in his first Season.
He spent time at Preston North End as a Development Coach, as well as a Futsal Development Coach.
Frank passed his FA Level 2 Coaching Licence in 2014.
Other qualifications include, FA Goalkeeping Level 1, FA Level 1 in Futsal, as well as most recently obtaining his FA Youth Award Module 1, 2 and 3.
Frank passed his FA Youth Award in January 2018.
Frank passed his UEFA ‘B’ Coaching Licence in October 2019.
He previously coached the U8’s at Blackburn Rovers Academy for 2 years.
Frank moved back to Australia with his family in December 2019 and is continuing his coaching there.
Jackson Hamlin
Jackson only Coaches Part Time at The Football Development Programme. Helping out during Half Term and Summer Courses.
Dan Trafford
Dan currently works at Burnley F.C. Academy Coaching the U11’s.
Dan only Coaches Part Time at The Football Development Programme. Helping out during Half Term / Summer Courses.
Eddie Stanford
Eddie was at Blackburn Rovers Academy from age 12-16.
After leaving Blackburn Rovers, he signed YTS forms for Coventry City at age 17.
He made 1 first team appearance for Coventry City.
Eddie left Coventry City at age 20 and briefly had a spell in Poland with Legia Warsaw
Eddie currently works at Blackburn Rover F.C. as the Lead Coach U12s – U14s
Eddie is a UEFA ‘A’ Licence Coach, which he completed in January 2022.
Eddie only Coaches Part Time at The Football Development Programme. Helping out during Half Term / Summer Courses.