Marcia Lewis, Founder No1Fan.club

Marcia Lewis founded No1Fan.club, an organisation that builds a supportive community for families navigating youth football. Drawing from her personal journey as a parent with a son playing football professionally, she creates resources and connections to help others make informed decisions about their children’s football careers. Marcia’s mission is to empower parents with knowledge and a network, ensuring young talents receive the best possible support on their football development journey.

More about Marcia and No1Fan.club here

Kate Iorpenda

Kate is the Director of Programme Development at No1Fan.club, working closely with Marcia to develop and deliver education programmes across the football landscape. 

As a mum of two professional footballers, one a first team player at Swansea City and the other a young professional at Huddersfield Town, Kate brings over 10 years of experience of the academy system. Both her sons began their academy journeys at Brighton & Hove Albion before being released at 16. Having experienced the release herself, Kate understands first-hand the challenges faced by families and the importance of having the right support. 

Kate combines this lived experience with over 25 years’ professional experience in young people’s health and wellbeing working internationally as a facilitator, coach and mentor. 

To read more about Kate and her experiences in football click here.

Marlon Bromfield, Host

Marlon is a married father of three boys who have played grassroots to academy football at Category 1, 2, and 3 clubs. One of his sons has represented both England and Germany at youth international level and is currently playing in Germany for a Bundesliga club. Marlon is a a FIFA-licensed football agent and a qualified Personal Trainer with first hand experience of how challenging it can be both physically and mentally for young players trying to make their way in such a competitive environment. 

To book a 1-to-1 Support Call with Marlon click here

Connect with Marlon here

Yinka Tomori 

Yinka Tomori is a chartered accountant, who provides financial and related advisory services mainly to the not-for-profit sector.  

Yinka has a keen interest in supporting young people achieve their financial and long-term aspirations. He has contributed to a few podcasts on the interaction of football, family and finances. He is also a trustee at a charity set up to inspire young people. 

Yinka’s connection with football began through his son, Fikayo, at Chelsea Academy. Fikayo went on loan to three Championship clubs before making his Chelsea first-team debut. He now plays for AC Milan. 

Tricia Egan  

Tricia Egan has a professional background in youth work, safeguarding, and education, and is the mother of two professional footballers. Both of her sons developed within Premier League Academies before moving to other clubs to continue their professional playing careers. 

Tricia is also a FIFA-licensed football agent, a role she undertakes to directly support her sons’ careers. This combination of roles has given her first-hand insight into the complex opportunities, challenges, and critical decisions families face while navigating the elite football system.  

Tricia blends her perspective as a football parent, drawing upon her family’s lived experience of academy football alongside her professional expertise in safeguarding and education. 

Beth Kerr

Beth is the parent of twins, a boy and a girl, who both joined Premier League academies at the age of nine, Beth has experienced, and continues to experience, first-hand the realities of the player pathway. Her family’s journey has included academy retention and release, transitions to new clubs and coaches, and navigating representative football opportunities, while also balancing the very different needs of an older teenage daughter whose passions lie beyond football. Combining research with lived experience, she is passionate about helping parents, coaches and clubs create environments where young players can thrive both on and off the pitch.

Beth is also a human development and performance consultant specialising in the development of young people in today’s digital world. With a background in teaching and school leadership, she has worked across the UK and internationally. Beth combines neuroscience, psychology and emerging research to explore how technology is influencing wellbeing, decision-making, relationships and performance.

Peter Chadwick

Peter has worked at the intersection of sports tech, player management and data for over a decade. As a FIFA licensed agent, he’s negotiated over 50 employment contracts, transfers and loan agreements. His sports tech and analytics company, Non-League Gems, works in partnership with some of the most innovative clubs in the UK and has helped over 60 non-league players progress into professional football. He presents his research into career trajectories, late developers and player pathways at St George’s Park to expert practitioners from Premier League and EFL clubs.  

To find our more about Non-League Gems click here

Dr Sam Warner

Dr Sam Warner is a parent of three boys who play football. She is also a consultant clinical psychologist and holds an honorary senior lectureship at Salford University. She is the chair of the UK based international charity, the Association of Child Protection Professionals and is on the advisory committee of the UK national working group against Spiritual and Ritual Abuse.

Sam is also a national safeguarding panel member for Sport Resolutions. Sam has nearly forty years’ experience of working with children and adults who have complex mental health and safeguarding needs. Sam is an expert in attachment-based and trauma-responsive approaches in therapy and safeguarding. 

Callum Tongue

Callum is currently the Senior Local Recruitment Manager at Manchester City for the Boys’ Academy, where he supports the identification and recruitment of talented young players from under six to under sixteen within a 60 or 90 minute radius of Manchester City. Callum rejoined the club in October after previously spending nine years coaching within the Academy .

During his time away from Manchester City he spent time as Head of Local Recruitment at Manchester United and as Under-18 Manager at Ipswich Town. These roles have given him a broad understanding of talent identification, player development, and the academy pathway within football. Callum has also recently graduated from the PFA Business School in Sport Directorship. 

Andy Smart 

Andy has coached at a grassroots level for nearly twenty years. He has coached both his boys all the way through, Dan and Harry are now 16 and 22.

Andy has based his coaching on friendships and memories and not just on winning. Andy is proud to be involved with No1 Fan Club. Andy lives in the Northwest, and is a Sales Manager for a company within hospitality which means he works with a lot of Football Clubs! He hopes to continue spreading the word about how important it is for children of all abilities to enjoy grassroots sport.  

Ross McGuire

Ross is the Academy Psychologist at Ipswich Town Football Club, where he leads the psychological support programme across the academy, working with players, coaches and parents to promote both performance and wellbeing. He previously worked as an Assistant House Parent at Millfield School, supporting the wellbeing and development of young people in a sports school setting, and has experience across education, elite sport and the NHS.

Ross is currently completing a PhD at Swansea University and is passionate about helping young people flourish while supporting parents and coaches to create environments in which they can thrive. 

Kate Shilland

Kate is co-founder of Performance Canteen, a leading youth sports nutrition consultancy. As a parent of young athletes herself, she understands the everyday challenges families face when trying to fuel active children properly. 

Performance Canteen supports parents, coaches and schools with clear, practical and expert guidance on youth sports nutrition. Through education, resources and ongoing support, Kate helps the team around young athletes understand what they need, when they need it, and how to make fuelling simpler. 

Her aim is to help young athletes perform well, stay healthy, feel good and reduce some of the battles around food along the way. 

To find our more about the Performance Canteen click here

Matthew Smith 

Matthew is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of If U Care Share Foundation (IUCSF), a locally founded, nationally recognised suicide prevention and postvention charity based in the North East of England. Established in 2011 in memory of his brother Daniel, who died by suicide in 2005 at the age of 19. Along with his brother, Ben, and cousin, Sarah, he started If U Care Share Foundation in an aim to prevent another family from suffering a similar experience to theirs.

He has worked in professional football clubs for over 15 years; helping IUCSF deliver education and awareness sessions to more than 70,000 children and young people, across North East schools, colleges, and sports clubs nationally through partnerships with the Football Association, League Football Education and Premier League.

Find out more about If U Care Share here

Eve Emaru 

 Eve is the founder of VitalEdge Physio & Training & VE360 and the former Head Physiotherapist for GB Basketball’s age-group programmes (U16, U18, U20), and former England Basketball player giving her a rare dual perspective as both athlete and practitioner. 

That experience led her to found VitalEdge Physio & Training and VE360, addressing a gap she saw repeatedly in youth athlete development: talented young people managed for performance while their identity, growth, and relationships went unsupported. Her work emphasises early detection recognising the physical, hormonal, and psychosocial shifts of maturation early enough to adapt training and support before issues take hold. This underpins her Circle of Care framework, built on five pillars: Identity, Growth, Load, Sleep, and People. 

Eve now works with academy-level and elite youth athletes, parents, and coaching staff, helping build environments where young players can perform and stay whole shifting the conversation in youth sport toward long-term wellbeing alongside short-term results. 

To find out more about VitalEdge click here

Dr Chris Platts

 Dr Chris Platts is a career coach working in professional football. He has a PhD that examines the lives of 303 young players and is the author of the largest independent study into the trajectories of professional football careers. Using the insights from this data, he helps young players and their families predict the future, take ownership of their career planning and reduce the negative stress that impacts life and performance.

Chris’s overall aim is to have young players enjoying their time in football, safe in the knowledge that whatever happens in their careers, they will thrive in life. 

Antar Adams

Coach Antar provides relational mentoring for athletes navigating pressure, transition, and uncertainty. He creates space to pause, understand what is really happening, and identify the most important next step together. His work helps athletes separate identity from performance, hear their own voice, and move with clarity and agency. Antar believes power exists in everyone. He uses questions, silence, and perspective to challenge thinking and spark insight without imposing answers. 

Daniel Geey

Daniel is a Partner in the Sports Group at Sheridans, one of the UK’s most highly regarded sports law firms. He advises clubs, players, agents and governing bodies on transfers, takeovers, commercial deals and regulatory matters across football and a range of other sports. 

Recognised by Chambers & Partners and Legal500, Daniel is also the author of three books Done Deal, 50 Ways Into Football and Build the Invisible and is a regular media commentator for the BBC, Sky Sports, ITV and CNN. 

See our business insights resources from Daniel here

Sheridans is an approved partner of No1Fan.club

Jim Rainford

Jim is a senior member of Miller’s Sports & Entertainment team, specialising in professional football insurance. Since beginning his insurance career in 2006, Jim has developed extensive experience working with high-profile clients and introducers across the sports sector. 

With a degree in International Business, Jim brings a strong commercial understanding to his role, combined with a practical, hands-on approach to client service. Over the course of his career, he has built a strong network and established long-standing relationships across the sports insurance market. 

Jim is recognised for his pragmatic approach, industry knowledge and ability to develop trusted relationships, helping clients navigate the specialist insurance requirements of professional sport. 

Read helpful article on injury and the importance of career ending insurance here.

Miller Insurance is an approved partner of No1Fan.club.

Yinka Tomori 

Yinka Tomori is a chartered accountant, who provides financial and related advisory services mainly to the not-for-profit sector.  

Yinka has a keen interest in supporting young people achieve their financial and long-term aspirations. He has contributed to a few podcasts on the interaction of football, family and finances. He is also a trustee at a charity set up to inspire young people. 

Yinka’s connection with football began through his son, Fikayo, at Chelsea Academy. Fikayo went on loan to three Championship clubs before making his Chelsea first-team debut. He now plays for AC Milan. 

Çiğdem Türkan (Panel Host)

Çiğdem is a football consultant and practitioner with over 14 years’ experience across professional football, staff development, education, player care, safeguarding, talent development and governance.

Çiğdem currently works with organisations including The FA and UEFA, supporting football strategy development, quality assurance, and operational projects. Her previous experiences include working as an Academy Auditor for the Premier League’s Academy Audit Company, assessing academy multidisciplinary player development and pathway provision, alongside roles with Arsenal, Chelsea, West Ham United and Crystal Palace.

Her has extensive experience working with players, families and multidisciplinary teams and is passionate about holistic player development, creating supportive environments where young people/their support networks can thrive both on and off the pitch. 

Ian Smithson  

Ian is Head of Education at Manchester United’s Academy, where he oversees the formal and personal development of young players alongside their football training. 

His work supports players across their academic journey, from GCSEs and BTECs to A Levels, further education and practical life skills. He also leads enrichment and personal-development programmes designed to help young people grow in confidence, make informed choices and prepare for life beyond football. 

Ian is a strong advocate for maintaining balance between football, education and personal wellbeing. He recognises the vital role parents play in supporting young players both on and off the pitch, and believes education should remain central to their long-term development. 

Craig Pinkney

Craig is a father of two, supporting his daughter and son as they navigate their respective journeys through grassroots and academy football.

Craig is also a nationally recognised criminologist, urban youth specialist and CEO of SOLVE, which provides safeguarding, training and support across education, sport and community settings. With over 20 years’ experience, Craig is a leading voice on youth violence, exploitation, online conflict and young people’s wellbeing.

Craig has worked with academy players, first-team players, staff and parents through the Premier League Life Skills programme, supporting conversations around safeguarding, healthy relationships, professional conduct and welfare. He is currently completing a PhD in Social Sciences at Birmingham City University, exploring the relationship between online conflict and real-world violence.

Callum Tongue

Callum is currently the Senior Local Recruitment Manager at Manchester City for the Boys’ Academy, where he supports the identification and recruitment of talented young players from under six to under sixteen within a 60 or 90 minute radius of Manchester City. Callum rejoined the club in October after previously spending nine years coaching within the Academy .

During his time away from Manchester City he spent time as Head of Local Recruitment at Manchester United and as Under-18 Manager at Ipswich Town. These roles have given him a broad understanding of talent identification, player development, and the academy pathway within football. Callum has also recently graduated from the PFA Business School in Sport Directorship.

Tina Taylor (Panel Host)

Christina is an entrepreneur, youth advocate and football industry professional with over a decade of experience supporting young people. A former youth arts worker, she founded Aim Sky High, an Ofsted-registered organisation creating opportunities for children and young people through the arts and education.

Christina holds an MBA in Football Industries from the University of Liverpool and now works across football, talent representation and women’s sport.

Through The Purpose Agency, she works closely on the commercial career of England Lioness and former BBC Sports Personality of the Year Mary Earps. She was also named Rising Star of the Year at the Global Football Industry Awards 2025. 

Amanda Goodwin 

Amanda is an experienced football academy manager currently working with Manchester United Women’s Academy. She is passionate about developing young players and creating an environment that supports both performance and personal growth.

Amanda has also worked with England youth teams, gaining valuable experience within the international pathway and working with players at elite level. She currently continues her international work with Wales U17 Women, supporting the development of the next generation of international players.

She is passionate about player development, coaching excellence and creating opportunities for young female footballers to reach their potential. 

Kayleigh McDonald   

Kayleigh is a footballer and member of the Player Care team at Bolton Wanderers. Having progressed through Everton’s School of Excellence and enjoyed a successful playing career with Blackburn Rovers, she brings valuable personal experience of the football pathway to her work supporting young players. 

Kayleigh made more than 150 appearances for Blackburn, helped the club secure promotion to the Women’s Championship and was named Player of the Year for the 2020/21 season. She has also experienced the challenges of serious injury and recovery first-hand, giving her a strong understanding of the importance of holistic support, wellbeing and care both on and off the pitch. 

In her player care role, Kayleigh helps young players navigate the demands of football while supporting their personal development, welfare and wider needs. 

Lindi Ngwenya  

Lindi Ngwenya is the Founder of Sisu Sports Management, a global football agency established in 2013, with a focus on supporting footballers across underserved areas of football. Sisu’s women’s business works across the game globally with divisions covering the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Europe. 

Lindi’s thirteen years as a FIFA licensed agent, have seen her complete hundreds of player negotiations, with numerous success stories, most recently Charlton Athletic Women’s charge to WSL1 promotion in 2025/26 with 6 Sisu clients onboard.  

Prior to Sisu, Lindi served for five years as an Army officer in The Royal Engineers, followed by a twelve year career in the City as a trader . 

To find out more about Sisu Sports Management click here

Leanne Batt 

Leanne is a passionate advocate for girls’ and women’s football, bringing a unique perspective as both a working professional and a parent navigating the sport alongside her daughter.

Leanne has been alongside her daughter through the female pathway as it continues to grow into its current prominence, and she speaks candidly about the realities families face, from access and funding gaps to the mental side of competing in a rapidly evolving landscape. Her experiences blend lived experience with practical insight, sharing the lessons she wished someone had told her at the very start of this journey. 

Les Rowe

Les is a lifelong football fan and his passion for the sport runs deep. As the father of Premier League player Emile Smith-Rowe, he has first-hand knowledge of the unique challenges and opportunities within the football environment. This personal experience fuels Les’s commitment to supporting young athletes and ensuring they have the guidance and support necessary to navigate their careers successfully.

Connect with Les here