Work experience

• Assistant Manager

  Hamilton Academical WFC

  2025.07-Current

  (6 months)

  • Assist and support the manager will all aspects of coaching and match preparation • Plan, prepare, and lead training sessions for the first-team squad • Design and implement technical and tactical training sessions • Work with the first-team squad, team units, and also individual players • On match days deliver warm-up routines, ensure the players understand their role in the game plan, and contribute to in-game tactical decisions • Contribute to player recruitment and talent identification processes to enhance the first-team squad
• Academy Coach

  Hamilton Accies

  2024.07-2025.07

  (a year)

  • Worked across multiple age-group squads within the club’s academy • Drove the performance and development of players through a tailored coaching programmes in line with the club’s player development strategies • Planned, prepared, and delivered age-appropriate training sessions • Designed and led technical training sessions to enhance the development of academy players • Worked with academy players on an individual basis to further their technical skillsets • Led age-group squads in matches, responsible for team selection and in-game tactical decisions
• Coach

  HAWFC

  2025.01-2025.06

  (6 months)

  Assistant coach
• Technical Coach (U14, U15 & U16)

  Ha milton Academical FC

  2024.07-2025.01

  (7 months)

  Technical coach
• U15 Lead Academy Coach

  Livingston FC

  2021.10-2024.06

  (3 years)

  • Led and delivered a wide range of community programmes and projects aimed at educating young people and improving their wellbeing • Monitored, managed, and drove the performance and development of the club’s U15 squad through a tailored coaching programme aligned with the club’s philosophy and aimed at enhancing their technical, tactical, and physical attributes • Planned, prepared, and implemented age-appropriate coaching sessions for individual players and the U15 squad • Devised and delivered engaging, challenging coaching to further U15 players’ development and contributed to their player pathway progression • Led on match day operations; responsible for team and squad selection, ensuring players were aware of their roles within game plans • Met regularly with players to discuss their development and set future learning goals • Contributed to decision-making processes regarding the retention or release of players • Performed a lead role in the talent identification of players and the construction of the U15 squad Key Achievements 3 Oversaw the construction of the playing squad from the ground up as the club had no players in the U15 age group; held open trials for 106 players and selected 16 who competed together over the next year 3 Demonstrated my ability to develop players coming from grassroots football into a professional Youth Academy environment COACHING EXPERIENCE CONTINUED
• U15 Academy Coach

  Greenock Morton FC

  2019.05-2021.10

  (2 years)

  • Assisted and supported the U15 Lead Coach with all aspects of coaching and player development • Responsible for the planning, preparation, and implementation of age-appropriate coaching sessions and training routines • Worked with individual players and the collective U15 squad to enhance their technical and tactical development • Ensured all coaching sessions were in line with the club’s coaching methodology and player development strategies “John coached me for a season at U15 level and from day one, he was very approachable and helped me to understand the game as a centreback. Even now when he watches our games, he still gives me advice and I will always be grateful for the work John did with me.” - Lennon Duffy: Greenock Morton FC
• U6 - U18 Coach

  Arsenal Soccer School, Saudi Arabia

  2018.01-2018.06

  (6 months)

  • Oversaw the coaching and development of male and female U6 to U18 players in line with Arsenal FC’s philosophy • Planned, implemented, and evaluated coaching sessions aligned with the players’ skill sets and fitness levels • For younger players, training was centred on fun and engaging sessions, with a technical and tactical focus for older age-group players
• U15/U16 Coach & U19 Assistant Coach

  Buckswood Football Academy

  2017.01-2017.01

  • Assisted and supported the Head of Football in delivering training and match preparation for the U19 squad • Led the coaching, performance, and development of the U15 and U16 squads • Worked with individual players to identify strengths and weaknesses and implemented training programmes to help them meet training goals • Coordinated and contributed to match day operations, including team selection and in-game tactical decisions “John proved himself to be a generous and giving leader, who trains his players hard and encourages them to do their best. He teaches discipline, hard work, and dedication to his players and that is reflected in their performances and attitudes. As for personal attributes, he stands out in the passion that he puts into everything and especially in teamwork. Mr. Brown has a unique combination of coaching experience and interpersonal skills that make him exceptionally qualified for the position.” - Juan Carlos Magro: Former Director of Football, Buckswood Football Academy
• Football Coach / Teacher

  City Football Group, China

  2014.01-2017.01

  (3 years)

  • Designed and delivered five lessons per day to around 40 children at a middle school and primary school in Hangzhou • Created and delivered pitch-based lessons for 7- to 11-year-old children, as well as children aged 12 to 17 • Prepared and implemented high-quality coaching sessions for the Boys and Girls football teams every day after school • Fostered an engaging environment where children learned basic football drills while improving their fitness • Outlined specific targets for children to work towards and provided regular constructive feedback on their progress • Instilled an ethos of hard work and commitment while promoting a healthy lifestyle Key Achievements 3 Jianggan District champions with the Boys and Girls teams, the first time the Boys had won the league “John can work effectively in keeping with the arrangements and curriculums of our school. He also teaches our primary school kids in his spare time, and he is warmly welcomed by students at our primary school. He works hard to improve football teaching. He cares much about our school football and takes an active part in training and matches in the Jianggan district. Thanks to the joint efforts of John and his Chinese counterparts, our school boys and girls football teams became champions.” - Zhou Ronghua: Assistant Principal, Hangzhou Jingfang Middle School
• U14 Football Coach

  Whitecraigs AFC

  2013.01-2014.01

  (a year)

  • Devised and implemented age-appropriate training, assessed players’ performance and evaluated the effectiveness of coaching sessions • Ensured players were mentally and physically prepared for competitive games, and led on match day operations ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT
• Football Coach

  British Army

  2010.01-2013.01

  (3 years)

  Section commander
• Lance Corporal

  British army

  1997.01-2013.01

  (16 years)

  • Oversaw and managed the coaching and performance of the Battalion team, including leading in competitive games • Designed, devised, led, and evaluated tailored training sessions aligned with the skill set and drive of the team • Supervised and managed the wellbeing and coordination of coaches and children throughout summer camps • Did so after serving as a Lance Corporal on several tours, including throughout Britain, Bosnia, Canada, Germany, Jordan, Iraq, and Afghanistan Key Achievements 3 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond and Golden Jubilee Medals 3Operational Service Medal for service in Iraq 3 Operational Service Medal for service in Afghanistan Zone 1 3Accumulated Campaign Service Medal in 2011

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