We are delighted to confirm a number of recent staff changes within Devon FA as we continue to develop our workforce to deliver our vision to enhance lives through football in Devon.

Chief Executive, Paul Morrison announced “It has been a busy four months that we have experienced at Coach Road regarding several County Staff. I hope that you will all appreciate the changes we have made to help improve our service to the Devon FA Football family”.

Chris French – Chief Operating Officer

During June we confirmed the promotion of Chris French to the new position of Chief Operating Officer for the Devon County FA.  Chris has been with Devon FA since 2010 and our County Development Manager since 2013. As part of his new role Chris will lead on the company’s delivery of our 2021-2023 Strategy and our annual operational planning. He will continue to manage the Football Development Team in the County and lead on facility and investment across Devon.

Chris said “Over the past 14 months we have developed and began to deliver our new 3 year and I’m excited to continue to lead on this and engage more with our wider partners to continue to enhance lives through football”.

Matt Barrett – Commercial Officer

We have also now created a new commercial department to support the company’s strategic aim of developing a sustainable and financially secure County FA to support football in Devon. As well as working for the Devon FA, we shall also make sure that all of our Leagues and Clubs are given the opportunity of using the County to help and support commercial opportunities at local level.

Matt Barrett will be heading up this new department and as well as developing new commercial opportunities for the company he will be engaging with new partners to provide support for grassroots football in Devon.

Matt said: “It is a very exciting time at the Devon FA. With the growth of the organisation, in particular the facility here at Coach Road, the Commercial potential is huge and the advertising space is vast. I am delighted to have been tasked with leading our expansion into this area and look forward to its growth with the aim, as ever, to maximise our offer to clubs, players and volunteers with a new network of local businesses and partners”.

Lorraine Tilley – Designated Safeguarding Officer

We have now confirmed the appointment of Lorraine Tilley as our full time Designated Safeguarding Officer taking over from Matt Hodgson. Matt will now be focusing on our youth and adult female game in Devon.

Lorraine has joined us from South Dartmoor Community College as she finishes her 16 year teaching career to join the Devon Football Family.  

Having taught PE and coached Youth Teams in Hockey & Cricket, Lorraine has a wealth of Safeguarding experience.

Lorraine has said: “I’m really looking forward to working with our Youth Clubs and Leagues to ensure all involved enjoy participating in football and feel safe in our football community”.

Dan Dixon – Football Development Officer for Leagues and Clubs

We are delighted to announce our newest member of the Development team, Dan Dixon who takes the role of Football Development Officer, Leagues and Clubs from Howard Shaddick who departed earlier this year.

Dan has previously worked for The Football Association, Argyle Community Trust and coaches the U13 age group within Plymouth Argyles Academy. Dan is a qualified Secondary Physical Education teacher, has a master’s degree in Sport Coaching and Performance and holds the FA Advanced Youth Award (12-16). He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of coaching and coach development to this role.  

‘’I am really excited to begin to support the coaches, clubs and leagues in Devon. I’m looking forward to working with a dedicated volunteer workforce who help to bring football to life in the county’’.

Nick Garlick – Football Development Officer (Facilities & Investment)

Our latest new addition to the team is Nick Garlick, who will be joining us later this month as our Football Development Officer for Facilities and Investment. Nick’s main role will be to give support and improve our football facilities in Devon, together identifying priority projects for the Football Foundation to invest within Devon.

Nick will also help support our new Community Fund, which gives our clubs the opportunity to apply for funding via the Devon FA Player Membership Scheme.

So as you can see we have been trying hard to make sure that we try and give plenty of support to the many aspects of football in Devon but as always we are on the look out for fresh ideas and suggestions, please drop me a line or contact your local Devon FA Council Member so we can explore your thoughts.

"I am excited to get going in my new role with the Devon County FA, and look forward to working with clubs across the county to help support and improve their facilities".