Head of Academy Goalkeeping

Fleetwood Town Football Club is recruiting an outstanding and highly motivated Head of Academy Goalkeeping to lead the development of goalkeepers across the Academy, from Under-9s through to Under-21s.

Department: Academy
Location: Poolfoot Farm Training Complex
Reports to: Head of Coaching and Academy Manager
Working hours: Flexible, as required by the Head of Coaching and Academy Manager. Evening and weekend work will be expected.
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Contract: Permanent
Closing date: 18 September 2026
Interview date: Week commencing 21 September 2026
Start date: To be confirmed

The role

The successful candidate will have overall responsibility for the Academy Goalkeeping Programme, providing strategic and operational leadership to ensure every goalkeeper receives an outstanding, age-appropriate development experience.

Working closely with the Head of Coaching, Academy Manager, Lead Phase Coaches and the Academy’s multidisciplinary team, the successful candidate will develop and implement a clear goalkeeping philosophy and curriculum aligned with the Academy’s wider football philosophy and player development framework.

A key part of the role will involve working collaboratively with the First Team Head of Goalkeeping to align Academy and First Team practices and establish a clear pathway for goalkeepers capable of progressing into the professional game.

The Head of Academy Goalkeeping will also lead and develop the Academy’s goalkeeping coaching workforce, establishing consistent coaching standards and supporting the continued professional development of staff across every phase.

The successful candidate will join a forward-thinking Academy with a strong record of developing players who progress through the football pyramid and regularly feature for Fleetwood Town’s First Team. The role will be based at the Club’s £10 million Poolfoot Farm training facility.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the development of all Academy goalkeepers from Under-9s through to Under-21s.
• Design, implement and continually review an age-appropriate Academy Goalkeeping Curriculum aligned with the Club’s football philosophy and Academy player development framework.
• Plan, deliver and evaluate high-quality goalkeeping sessions appropriate to the developmental needs of individual players.
• Integrate goalkeeping development effectively within team training and the wider development of outfield players.
• Ensure every Academy goalkeeper has a clear and meaningful Individual Learning Plan (ILP), regularly reviewed and adapted through appropriate training and match opportunities.
• Monitor goalkeeper performance in training and matches, using appropriate evidence to inform individual development priorities.
• Work closely with Lead Phase Coaches and age-group coaches to provide each goalkeeper with a coordinated and holistic development programme.
• Support the development and preparation of Professional Development Phase and Under-21 goalkeepers for the demands of senior football.
• Work collaboratively with the First Team Head of Goalkeeping to support the transition and integration of Academy goalkeepers into the First Team environment, where appropriate.

Leadership and coach development

• Provide leadership and direction for goalkeeping provision across every phase of the Academy.
• Line-manage the Academy’s part-time goalkeeping coaches, establishing clear expectations and standards for delivery.
• Regularly observe goalkeeping coaches and provide meaningful feedback, mentoring and support.
• Work closely with the Head of Coaching to identify individual and collective development priorities for Academy goalkeeping coaches.
• Contribute to the Academy’s wider coach development programme and Coaching Expertise Framework (CEF).
• Create opportunities for collaboration, reflection and the sharing of best practice across the goalkeeping department.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning, constructive challenge and professional development.

Curriculum and performance

• Establish clear age- and phase-specific expectations for goalkeeper development across the Academy.
• Ensure consistency in the delivery of the Academy Goalkeeping Curriculum while recognising each goalkeeper’s individual developmental needs.
• Monitor the effectiveness and impact of the goalkeeping programme, making appropriate adaptations when required.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in Sports Science, Medical, Analysis, Psychology and other relevant departments to provide a multidisciplinary approach to goalkeeper development.
• Use video, performance data and other relevant information to support player development and individual learning.
• Ensure goalkeeper development and performance information is recorded accurately using Football IP and other relevant Academy systems.

Player pathway and recruitment

• Build strong relationships across the Academy to support the effective transition of goalkeepers between phases.
• Work closely with the First Team Head of Goalkeeping to align Academy and First Team goalkeeping provision.
• Contribute to succession planning for goalkeepers across the Academy and professional pathway.
• Support the identification, assessment and recruitment of goalkeepers in collaboration with the Academy Recruitment department and First Team Head of Goalkeeping.
• Provide specialist goalkeeping insight during player retention, release and progression discussions, where appropriate.
• Attend and contribute effectively to relevant Academy, phase and multidisciplinary meetings.
• Maintain accurate records of coaching sessions, player reviews, learning objectives and individual development.
• Maintain all required coaching qualifications and licence requirements.
• Complete a minimum of five hours of FA in-service training each year and engage fully with Club and governing-body continuing professional development.