Here is the lowdown on a number of the key staff members within our development centre...

Darren Finch
DOB: 06/07/64



Heading up the development centre is the Club's youth development officer, Darren Finch. He holds two A Licences - a UEFA A Licence and a NSCAA Advanced National Diploma - and will commence studies for his Academy Manager's Licence in the summer of 2009. A vastly qualified coach, he has in excess of a dozen football qualifications to his name and is a regular attendee of a wide range of development courses.

On a day-to-day basis, Darren is the man responsible for overseeing our schools programme, after-school coaching, development centres and advanced development centres, whilst also working closely with the youth team and coaching the Club's U15s and U16s on day release from school.

Darren's role also combines responsibility as Centre of Excellence U12 to U16 development manager where he develops the technical coaching plan for players in these age groups and the position of Centre of Excellence U14 team manager.

Extensively experienced in youth development, Darren spent five years coaching in the USA with Cincinnati United Premier Soccer Club and Team Cincinnati Soccer Club - enjoying numerous trophy successes with their development squads and helping numerous youngsters to secure professional or prized college contracts - whilst also working as head coach of Dayton Gems in the PDL (Professional Development League).

Prior to joining PNE, he worked at Burnley as the community manager, helping to oversee the club's regional coaching programme within schools, and also as a Centre of Excellence coach in two separate spells either side of his stint in the USA. Finch also coached with Manchester United's acclaimed Soccer Scheme.

As a youngster, he enjoyed a taste of life within the Football League as a player, having represented Blackburn Rovers at youth and reserve levels in the early 1980s and captaining the club at 'A', 'B' and youth level before going on to represent Chesterfield, Accrington Stanley, Darwen and Padiham during a 15-year career.

Scott Green
DOB: 15/01/70



Constantly on the look out for new junior talent for Preston North End through his daytime work with the development centre, the former Premier League star is currently coaching the U15 Centre of Excellence side, having started work with them in October 2007 when they were the U14 squad.

Scott says that his primary goal is to bring as many of his current squad as possible to the required level to gain a scholarship when the time comes. Becoming a coach was always an aspiration during his 20-year playing career, which yielded five promotions with three different clubs, including two elevations to the top flight while playing for Bolton Wanderers.

Also managed at semi-pro level in an 18-month spell with UniBond League side Ashton United, the club with whom he ended his playing career having earlier represented Derby, Bolton, Wigan, Wrexham and Telford, making in excess of 500 appearances along the way and scoring 48 goals, predominantly from full-back.

Having played in every position at some point during his playing days, he feels that he is well placed to offer key advice and support to the young players under his tutelage, knowing full well the demands and requirements of each role on the field.

Green is currently undertaking the second part of his UEFA A Licence and is looking to complete the qualification before the start of the 2009/10 season.

Simon Hampson
DOB: 28/10/83



Represented Blackburn Rovers at Centre of Excellence level before his career was hampered by injury, later turning out for his renowned local amateur side, Euxton Villa.

Simon is an FA Level Two qualified coach, currently working towards attaining his UEFA B Licence, which he hopes to achieve before the end of 2009.

Spent a year coaching in New York, working with a number of different clubs to improve their junior sides from U9 to U16 levels. Joined Preston North End upon his return in 2005 to become a development coach - a role that keeps expanding continually.

Predominantly involved in the Club's schools programme during the day, delivering coaching sessions and after-school clubs for skills development. Also involved at the youngest age levels within the Centre of Excellence, coaching the U8s in 2007/08 and moving up with them to work with the U9s in 2008/09.

Chris Stammers
DOB: 28/10/73



Heavily involved in the Primary Care Trust (PCT) coaching programme delivered by the Club as well as being manager of our womens' team and a development centre and Centre of Excellence U13 coach.

Combines his work with PNE with a part-time role as assistant manager of AFC Liverpool, the officially backed offshoot of the Anfield club which looks like a near-certain bet to seal the North West Counties League Division One title this season.

Working with both senior and junior players on a constant basis is something that Chris believes is a good attribute to his skills, allowing him to constantly adopt different coaching styles to broaden his abilities and get the best out of the players under his leadership.

His playing career at Sheffield United was ended due to injury at the age of 19, so he has made coaching his forte, developing Academy players at Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers and Morecambe in addition to holding the position of manager at Clitheroe, assistant manager at Burscough, and coach at Bamber Bridge and Marine.

Stammers is a UEFA A Licence qualified coach, but is hoping to ultimately reach the top level of coaching achievement by obtaining the next available qualification, the UEFA Pro Licence.

Ash Higgins
DOB: 24/10/89



Switching straight from a PNE scholarship to a role on the coaching staff, Higgins made the transition from player to coach at Deepdale during the summer of 2008.

Qualified as an FA Level Two coach and working towards his UEFA 'B' Licence, he is involved in the schools programme, the elite coaching centres and the management of the Centre of Excellence U13 side.

The forward has been injured for much of his time since the end of his scholarship at Deepdale, but is hoping to resume his playing career as soon as fitness permits.

Chris McGrail
DOB: 25/02/88



Another former North End player, Chris McGrail was a first year pro with the Club until the summer of 2008 before taking up a coaching role after his on-field stint was beset by injury.

The pacy striker and YTS product made the North End first team bench on a couple of occasions during the 2006/07 season whilst still a scholar. Accrington Stanley took McGrail on loan at the start of the 2007/08 after he had signed his first professional deal, and appeared on loan for both the east Lancastrians and Wirral side Vauxhall Motors during his year-long spell as a pro at Deepdale.

Having attained his Level Two coaching qualification, Chris is now well on the way to securing his UEFA B Licence, and is widely involved in many of the Club's community coaching activities.

Jonathan Parkinson
DOB: 03/12/88



Currently qualified with a UEFA C Licence, Jonathan arrived at Deepdale having previously been a part of Burnley FC's community programme, delivering coaching sessions to local youngsters.

Now in a similar position at Deepdale, Parkinson is looking to extend his coaching knowledge having worked in this field for the past three years.

Currently hailing from Longridge where he plays with the village side, Jonathan previously represented both Leeds Metropolitan University's first team and Myerscough College's Academy at the Townley Centre in Burnley.

Jo Shepherd



Joined PNE after graduating from Leeds Metropolitan University in 2007 with a 2:1 BSc Hons degree in physical activity, exercise and health.

Jo is also a qualified FA Level One coach, and is now working with the Club to deliver the sessions in healthy lifestyles to local school children in conjunction with the PCT (NHS Central Lancashire).

Gary Robinson



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