Meet The Pro Player Team

Kingsley James | Academy Manager

Kingsley started his career at Sheffield United, where he progressed through the Academy, breaking into the first team at just 18 years old.

Kingsley went on to play hundreds of games in professional football in a career that spanned 14 years before retiring early and heading into coaching and management.

Throughout his professional playing career, Kingsley played for some well known clubs within the professional football pyramid. In total, he made over 300 professional appearances combined for the following clubs:

Sheffield United, Port Vale, Hereford United, Chester FC, Halifax Town, Macclesfield Town, Barrow AFC, Guiseley AFC, Gainsborough Trinity, Hyde United and Farsley Celtic.

Honours – Promotion from League Two, FA Trophy Winner, FA Trophy Runner-Up, Numerous Caps for England C. As a level 2 qualified coach, he has coached at Sheffield United, Port Vale and Hereford United.

Following his retirement from playing, Kingsley became the Assistant Manager at York City, where the management team led the club to promotion to the National League and held them close to the play-offs before departing in November 2022.

Kingsley has been an integral part of Pro Player for a number of years and since 2017, he is the proud academy director and owner.

Scott Smith | Head Youth Development Phase Coach

Scott is currently a semi-professional footballer, plying his trade at Wakefield Afc.

He began his youth career as a trainee at Bradford City Football Academy, but at 16 he joined Guiseley AFC scholarship programme. Aged 17 Scott made his first team debut in a pre-season friendly, in his first season as a first team player Scott established himself as a regular making 20 appearances scoring 4 goals before a knee injury sidelined him for the rest of the season.

Scott had a successful loan spell at Matlock Town and put in some impressive displays, helping Steve Kittricks team climb to the top of the table.

In his career to date Scott has played for Guiseley Afc, Goole Afc, Matlock Town, Pontefract Collieries, Tadcaster Albion, Emley Afc. This season Scott is playing for Wakefield Afc.

Scott is a superb young coach who has experience coaching for Guiseley AFC and our very own Mini Pros.

Ollie Russon | Academy Coach

Ollie started at Barnsley Football Club before moving to Halifax Town where he signed a two-year scholarship.

Ollie is a young player who has played a lot of games in non league and has impressed in a lot in his last two seasons. He has a very bright future in the game at just 24 years old.

Clubs played for – Barnsley, Halifax Town, Hyde United, Farsley Celtic, Frickley Athletic, Glossop North End, Albion Sports and Goole AFC.

As a qualified Level 2 coach, Ollie is a young and enthusiastic coach who has shown unbelievable levels of professionalism and detail, specialising in foundation phase coaching.

Ollie has a lot of experience coaching all ages from 3-16, he currently works as a sports coach in schools as well as running our Mini Pros sessions along with Pro Player.

Danny Greenfield | Academy Coach

Danny came through the academy at Manchester United from 7 to 13 years old and went on to sign for Barnsley Football Club

He remained at Barnsley until he was 18 and following his scholarship he left to join Gateshead Football Club in search of first team football.

Danny had a very successful period at Gateshead and gained promotion from the National League North as champions. He has since had spells at Spennymoor Town, Scarborough and has just signed for Farsley Celtic. A technically gifted midfielder who has an eye for goal.

Danny has his level 2 coaching badge and is currently working his way through a sports coaching degree. He has years of experience coaching from a young age in numerous different environments.

Aleks Starcenko | Academy Coach

Aleks is another of our coaches that started this season with Pontefract Collieries but has recently joined Worksop Town.

Aleks started his career in mens football playing for Frickley Athletic and Ponterfract Collieries before joining Guiseley AFC scholarship programme.

He was part of the first team squad at the end of the 18/19 season, making the bench and appearing as a substitute in a number of games aged just 18. Having impressed in the academy, picking up a number of awards and showing first team staff his potential, Aleks was rewarded with a first team contract for the 19/20 season. He attracted interest from lots of clubs, including Leicester City.

Having made a good impression in pre-season, he has been named in the first team match day squad on a number of occasions and making a number of appearances. Aleks had a successful loan spell at Hyde United last season, he made the move to Pontefract and now Worksop Town in search of more game time.

Aleks has a lot of coaching experience at such a young age, having worked for Football Factory for a number of years. He has shown a lot of potential and very good knowledge of the game.

Michal Korbel | Goalkeeper Coach

Michal Korbel has trained goalkeepers from youth academies all the way to professional clubs.

Michal, originally from Czech Republic, has worked in the UK for over 15 years based in different football roles from professional clubs to college academies. He holds UEFA B goalkeeping, UEFA B outfield, Scottish FA goalkeeping and FAW Goalkeepers qualifications.

Michal is currently working as the lead youth and women's goalkeeper coach at local professional club Harrogate Town. He also plays a big part in training the goalkeepers at Pro Player.

Mark Goodlad | Goalkeeper Coach

Mark is a former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Leaving Nottingham Forest in 2000, he signed for Port Vale and became their first choice keeper until he was forced to retire due to injury in 2008. During his time at Port Vale he was made Player of the Year in 2001/2002 season and also picked up a Football League Trophy winner's medal in 2001.

In all, he made approximately 250 competitive appearances in a professional career spanning over ten years. Since retiring Mark has worked for Nike Academy, where young footballers released from scholarships and professional contracts work daily to hopefully progress back into football. Mark held the position of head goalkeeper coach at Barnsley until recently leaving the role to concentrate his efforts with Pro Player.

Mark holds his UEFA B licence and UEFA B Goalkeeping licence.

Emily James | Business Admin

Emily joined the Pro Player team in 2022 to help with all business admin as the academy grew. She has been a key figure in organising and improving efficiency within the academy

Emily is a huge help with Pro Player business admin, she is also responsible for Pro Players graphic design, creating flyers, logos and social media graphics for Pro Player and Mini Pros.

Pro Player Football Academy

Our passion is football coaching. We develop players aged 3-16 in Wakefield and Rotherham.

Mini Pro Academy

Where the love for football begins! At Mini Pro Academy we deliver fun, progressive coaching specially designed for boys and girls aged 3–7 years old.

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Development Academy

Bringing aspiring players access to academy standard coaching in a pro environment. At Pro Player Development Academy we nurture and enhance potential.

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Advanced Academy

Preparing for the next level. At Pro Player Advanced Academy, ensure they thrive under a tailored coaching programme designed for the elite.

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Goalkeeper Academy

Perfect for the aspiring shot stopper. At Pro Player Goalkeeper Academy we offer an expertly designed coaching programme tailored for goalkeepers aged 7 to 16.

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FREE TASTER TRAINING SESSION

Book FREE session

We welcome you to book your child's free taster training session. This is open to all boys and girls aged 3-16. Book now and see how we can help your child develop on and off the pitch.