Head Coach
Paul Gunn MSc, BEng
- UEFA 'B' Coaching Licence.
- FA Goalkeeping Coaching certificate.
During Paul's playing days as a goalkeeper he was fortunate to play at a high standard reaching the national semi-final of the English Schools U19 Cup and two Surrey Schools County Cup finals, whilst at college. He trained with Crystal Palace at 16 years old, he represented South of England Colleges (just missing out on the England Colleges squad) and played semi-pro football before going onto university. Once he returned to the South East of England he carried on his passion for football and helped to coach on a voluntary basis at the non-league team Croydon Athletic and the Beckenham Goalkeeping School - which he took over when the previous owner Tony Davies, when he emigrated to Australia.
As Paul has taken his coaching more seriously over the years and he has experience of working as a P.E teacher and as a freelance coach in schools in the London area. A significant focus of his time was helping children with special educational needs. This work included helping children with emotional and behavioural difficulties, by using a mixture of sports such as tennis and cricket.
Paul also has extensive experience of development at the elite level of football:
Watford Football Club:
he worked in the Academy with the U9 team, the Development Centres with male and female goalkeepers and the Community Trust running training camps.
Brentford Football Club:
where he worked with the U13 -U15's teams in the Centre of Excellence and was privileged to have coached several trainees who have now made 1st team appearances at the club.
He's also had the opportunity to work abroad with organisations such as MLS camps in the US, where he worked for New York Red Bulls in the league, running day camps and evening team training sessions.
