• delivering EXCELLENCE
  • generating HOPE
  • providing DIGNITY
  • fuelling AMBITION

Our Team

Andrew Thorp - Chief Executive Officer

Andrew founded the Street Soccer Academy concept in 2005 and under his leadership the work has developed into an award winning registered charity and innovative enterprise.

Educated at Loughborough University, Andrew has a BSc Hons in Management Sciences and has experience as a tutor and assessor at Salford City College, responsible for the delivery of an NVQ 2 qualification in Teaching, Instructing and Training. He is also a UEFA ‘B’ qualified coach and has vast experience working in the professional and semi-professional football world at Rochdale AFC, Leigh RMI and Trafford FC. It is through his experience in these fields that the accredited education programmes have been formulated in order to significantly enhance the opportunities of Street Soccer Academy beneficiaries. Andrew’s passion is to see individuals, whose circumstances place them on the margins of society, permanently turn their lives around through the positive influence of Street Soccer Academy.

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Simon Murphy - Chief Operating Officer

Simon teamed up with CEO, Andrew Thorp, at the beginning of 2009 and is co-founder of Street Soccer Academy as a limited company and UK registered charity. Simon is responsible for the development of Street Soccer Academy’s corporate brand and acquisition of the prestigious England Football Accreditation.

Prior to involvement with Street Soccer Academy Simon was a director of Ambassadors in Sport and has a wealth of experience in grassroots football, as a player, coach, club chairman, having worked widely across the UK, USA, Europe and Asia. Simon has a vast knowledge of running major tournaments and festivals having organised the National Christian Football Festival for a number of years and as an executive committee member of the National Christian Cup. Simon is also responsible for devising the unique Soccer 24 fundraising concept, now used to raise funds for charities worldwide.

Simon’s vision is to see people being given hope and dignity through involvement in the quality football provision of Street Soccer Academy and the professional services & advice offered by partner agencies.

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Zoe Murphy - General Manager

Zoe was recruited on a full-time basis in early 2013, following a two-year spell working for Street Soccer Academy in a voluntary capacity and completes the HQ-based Senior Management Team.

Responsible for Street Soccer Academy’s affairs as a limited company and registered charity, Zoe brings with her a wealth of experience gained in the financial services industry, latterly overseeing the general insurance portfolios and risk management services for large, UK based companies, on behalf of an independent insurance brokers. In her time as a volunteer Zoe implemented the Sage accounting system for the charity and is responsible for the development of Street Soccer Academy’s policies and procedures. Working now on a full-time basis Zoe is responsible for the maintenance of a robust system of managing Street Soccer Academy’s activities, enabling the reach and the influence of the charity to be furthered, whilst ensuring an unrivalled level of service delivery.

Zoe’s vision is to generate hope for homeless and disadvantaged individuals through a UK network of SSA Regional Centres, resourced and equipped through a professionally managed HQ.

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  • John Squires

    NW Operations Manager
    John is an FA 'A' Licenced Coach with many years experience in coach education. In 1990 John co-founded the international Sports Ministry, Ambassadors in Sport (now known as Ambassadors Football). After a semi-professional football career in the USA and Czech Republic, John coached in the English National League with Leigh RMI and was a tutor for Bolton Wanderers in their Coach Education Programme. John's oversight of our community programme ensures our delivery meets the standards of England Football Accreditation.
  • Tony Holmes

    Coach Educator
    Tony is the senior staff member in our custody programmes and has played a major role in the development of our highly regarded Custody to Community Programme. With a background in coaching semi-professional football (Leigh RMI, Trafford FC) as a specialist goalkeeping coach, Tony has many years experience of delivering our Coach Education & Personal Development Programme in custody settings and provides staff training and project development expertise in this area.
  • Steve Monk

    Coach Educator
    Steve joined our North Wales team in May 2022 and has a track record of delivering education programmes in custody settings. Whilst bringing with him a vast knowledge of delivering programmes to meet Estyn standards, Steve also has a background of coaching club football in the Welsh National League. His wealth of experience in both education and football coaching make him an invaluable member of our team as we seek to engage with service users and provide support in their resettlement planning.
  • Jayson Starkey

    Coach Educator
    Jayson joined our team in January 2023 and has a track record of delivering education programmes in custody settings. Whilst bringing with him a vast knowledge of delivering programmes to meet Estyn standards, Jayson also has a background in football club development in the Welsh National League. His wealth of experience in both education and football coaching make him an invaluable member of our team as we seek to engage with service users and provide support in their resettlement planning.
  • Phil Bent

    Coach Educator
    Phil joined our team in January 2023 specifically to help develop our StreetFit programme. Previously employed to deliver BTEC in Sport 7 Excellence on behalf of scholars at Oldham Athletic, Phil brings invaluable teaching knowledge and understanding to our Coach Education & Personal Development Programme. His background in teaching in the football club environment make him an invaluable member of our team as we seek to engage with service users and provide support in their resettlement planning.
  • Chris Nield

    Coach
    Chris is an FA qualified coach responsible for the practical delivery of our Regional Centre sessions at SSA South Manchester. After serving many years as a volunteer of our charity Chris became a part-time member of staff to assist in our community programmes and provides valuable local knowledge of the South Manchester area. Chris's professionalism and experience ensure we are able to deliver excellence through our Coach Education programme and to offer ongoing support to all who attend our sessions.