
Meet Our People

Maxine Spooner
Head of College
Maxine is extremely proud of our college and the students. A 'nothing but the best' team of teachers, coaches and staff ensure that our student success and well-being is at the heart of all we do. This means that every student has access to superb teaching, learning, pastoral and enrichment opportunities to enable them to reach their full potential as a student, player and young citizen prepared for all that life has to offer.
Our Post-16 curriculum offers a wide range of educational opportunities designed to inspire and motivate you as you plan for your future - supported every step of the way. Our teachers are committed to a 'Nil Satis Nisi Optimum' educational experience and our specialist classrooms and resources will encourage you to reach your potential. Our achievements speak for themselves; we are extremely proud of our academic results and above national average pass rates for our subjects, celebrating 100% attainment.
In collaboration with Liverpool John Moores University, we also run our own very successful degree programme in Sport Development & Coaching which provides our students with a first class higher education offer.
In addition, you will be inspired to develop your practical skills, taking part in regular coaching sessions delivered by fully qualified coaches, as well as having the chance to compete against other Premier League academy teams. Aside from football, there are life changing enrichment opportunities that our students can choose to access to enhance their personal development.

Carl Giles
Assistant Head of College
Carl has 18 years experience working in the education and football sectors which include various management and leadership roles. His remit includes overseeing all aspects of the academic programme in terms of quality assurance, student outcomes and innovation. Previous employment includes Director of Education at Tranmere Rovers Football Club, Curriculum Manager at Hugh Baird College and Head of Sport at Jumeirah International School in Dubai. Outside of work, Carl is involved with Liverpool School FA and Merseyside County Schools FA.

Phil Oliver
Site Lead, Liverpool
Phil started with Everton Football College in 2019 as tutor/coach with the first co-hort of students at our Jericho site, having had 5 years experience as the Lecturer of Football at Hugh Baird College. His previous teaching role was combined with a part-time role as an Academy Coach and International Academy Coach at Liverpool FC where he has coached in over 14 countries across Europe, North America and Asia. Through this role, he was selected to be one of the representatives to open up an International Academy in Japan where he spent a year based in Yokohama. Phil is responsible for our students based in Liverpool and also delivers on our Higher Education Programme with interests in Sport Coaching.

Phil Gibney
Site Lead, Vauxhall
Phil started working for Everton Football College in 2013 as a qualified Teacher and Coach. He has worked within the Everton Family for 16 years and has lived in Liverpool all of his life. Phil started coaching after retiring from playing football through injury and worked for Manchester Utd and Chester FC prior to starting with Everton in the Community. He is the Site Lead at our Vauxhall site in Ellesmere Port (Wirral) and supports all students academically and pastorally. He also coaches our football teams to prepare them for all leagues and competitions.

Jill Reid
Education & Player Care Lead
As part of the Everton Family for over 10 years, Jill has worked across Secondary AP, Further Education and Higher Education provision in her role as Teacher of PE and Sport. Working at Everton has allowed Jill to combine her passions of teaching and football and to share these with students. Currently, her role as Education Lead for Everton Women's Academy allows Jill to further develop these interests and provide a key support for aspiring elite performers.

John Keegan
Head of Football Development
Before joining Everton Football College, John was a professional footballer in the EFL Leagues 1 and 2, the National League, USL League (USA) and the Welsh Premier League. John has been fortunate enough to play in different parts of the world and has played in the UEFA Europa League.
John is a UEFA A Licenced Coach and has worked in America as Head of Development for MLS Soccer as well as being a First Team Manager in the Welsh Premier League.
John now leads Football Development within the college, coaching across all sites and co-ordinating fixtures and tours, as well as pre-season training.

David James
Student Experience Manager
After a successful career within the Police Service, Dave joined Everton Football College as the Student Experience Manager. He has always been involved in football, both playing and coaching. For the past 11 years he has coached the Merseyside & Liverpool School Boys with considerable success. Dave's role at the college is varied - he supports the students pastorally; from academic or safe and wellbeing support, to university/scholarship applications. He also co-ordinates the enrichment programme, this ranges from delivering opportunities for work-based learning both home and abroad, selecting students for the Dallas Cup and other competitions, and inviting guest speakers to enhance the delivery of our programme. He also looks after our student recruitment and co-ordinates taster/open days and competitions.

Rebecca Stevenson
Business Manager
Rebecca is the Business Manager for both Everton Football College and Everton Free School.
Before joining Everton, Rebecca managed in Early Years Education for 13 years before making the change to Secondary & Post 16 Education in 2021.
Rebecca is also the first point of contact for all parents/carers & students who require information regarding bursaries, kit/uniform, competition tours & all general enquiries.

James Croxton
Head of School Sport
James started working at Everton in 2007 as a fully qualified teacher, teaching across secondary schools in Merseyside. As Head of Sport, he currently looks after the PE provision across the school and college. James is a qualified FA Licenced Coach having experience home and abroad. In addition to coaching the school and college teams, James currently coaches Page Celtic Under 12s. He has played semi-professional football and continues to play amateur football in the Liverpool County Premier League. James is also the Club Welfare Officer.

Paul Johnson
Teacher & SEND Support
Paul started working at Everton Football College in 2023. He has over 20 years experience working in secondary education, specialising in PE. He also has over 15 years' experience in both pastoral and departmental leadership roles. Paul is a qualified FA Level 1 Coach and in addition to coaching the college teams, he currently coaches Under 7s at MSB Woolton. He has played football at a good amateur standard in the West Cheshire League and continues to play for South Liverpool over 40's.

Tom Dickson
HE Lecturer & Coach
Tom completed his BA (Hons) Sport Coaching and Sport Development undergraduate degree (2011), and MA Sport and Development (2013), whilst studying at Southampton Solent University. He then achieved Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (2014) whilst lecturing at Southampton Solent University. He achieved Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (2017), and completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher & Professional Education (2017) whilst lecturing at the University of Bolton. Tom's most recent research and publication focuses on how sport and physical activity provision affects social isolation and loneliness for older people.
He has eight years of teaching/lecturing experience in Higher Education across the aforementioned institutions; delivering on modules that focus on sport and community development, coaching, physical activity, academic skill development, and professional skill development. He also has two years of teaching/tutoring experience within Further Education and professional football club settings.
Tom has seven years of experience as a sports development practitioner, working for organisations including the Local Authority, County Sports Partnership, and Community Football Trust. Finally, he has his UEFA B Licence, FA Youth Award, and 15 years of coaching experience across professional, semi-professional, community, and voluntary settings. These experiences inform much of Tom's teaching across various subject areas and levels.

Mick Thomas
Tutor
Mick is a UEFA B qualified coach who is currently studying for his A Licence. He has been coaching for 14 years across all different age groups and abilities. His first coaching role was with EitC, working on soccer camps and other community events. Mick has worked as an International Academy Coach delivering sessions across Europe and Australia.
As a qualified teacher, Mick now teaches across all sites in addition to coaching part-time with Everton Women's RTC and within clubs across Merseyside. He is also an FA Coach Developer and delivers coaching at Morecambe Academy.
Mick is our U19 Women's Head Coach, part of this role is to liaise with the club to share good practice, develop a pathway for our players into the academy and prepare players for a scholarship programme in the USA.

Sean O'Brien
Tutor
Sean is a PE teacher based at Everton Football College's Vauxhall Motors site and also at Everton Free School. His academic qualifications include MSc Performance Coaching, PGCE Sports QTLS NPQLT and a BSc in Science and Football. Sean is currently undertaking his UEFA B Coaching award and has other FA Coaching badges.

Joe Parkinson
Head Coach
Before joining Everton Football college, Joe had a successful playing career for many clubs in various leagues. Joe's biggest achievement is playing for Everton FC - winning the FA Cup and Charity Shield. He also played for Wigan Athletic and AFC Bournemouth.
After retiring at a young age, Joe moved into coaching and worked with various age groups (from U9s all the way through to professional football teams), including roles from First Team Coach to Assistant Manager. Joe was successful in this role and led Wigan Athletic to a League One win and ensured Hartlepool Utd gained promotion back into the Football League.
Joe is a real asset to our coaching team, he is our Head Coach across all sites sharing his expertise managing our teams.

Myles Clements
Coach
As a fully qualified teacher, Myles delivered on a variety of sport courses at various FE colleges prior to joining Everton. He specialises in coaching, fitness and strength & conditioning. Alongside teaching, Myles has worked at a variety of semi-professional and professional clubs including Leicester City Ladies, Walton & Hersham, and he is currently involved with a North West Counties club. Previously, Myles has enjoyed work as a Foundation International Coach at Chelsea FC where he was fortunate to study a coach placement with Barcelona. He is currently working towards his UEFA B Licence.