Academy Youth Coaches

Alan Hunte – Head of Youth

After 15 years as a professional player Alan joined the coaching staff at the Willows as PPM and U18’s Head coach in 2004 as well as spells assisting with the 1st team. In 2007 and 2008 he was also England U15’s Head Coach seeing both age groups progress on and form the majority of the 2010 U18’s team which beat the Australian Schoolboys. Alan now is the clubs Head of Youth and oversees all youth matters.

Chris Coop – Player Performance Manager / U15’s Head Coach

Chris is in his 3rd year with the club running the scholarship scheme and this year stepping into the breach as U15’s Head coach after work commitments meant the original appointment could not continue. Chris is an ex-pro who has vast experience in the game and on the coaching pathway.

Lee Spencer – U20’s Head Coach

Lee or Spanner as he is fondly known has spent 9 years on the clubs coaching staff starting out working on the clubs scholarship and working his way through the ranks. He has been coaching in the game over 20 years and is originally from local amateur club Folly Lane.

Paul Highton – U20’s Assistant Coach

Salford and Wales favourite Paul needs no introduction from his playing days. Returning to the club he is assisting Spanner and his wealth of professional experience is of great value to the coaches and to the players.

Pete Carey – U18’s Head Coach

Pete joined the clubs coaching staff along with Spanner 9 years ago with the clubs scholarship. He did spend one year away where he went to gain experience coaching Swinton’s reserve team in 2006. But his return has been of great value as he is an excellent coach and always builds a great relationship with his U18’s players. This is his 3rd year as the head coach of the 18’s.

Jason Viller – U18’s Assistant Coach

Former pro and local lad Jason Viller was well known as a regular try scorer at both Hunslet and Rochdale. He know turns his hand to coaching and has had good success last year as the U16’s head coach and now joins some of those players into the U18’s competition.

Paddy O’Grady – U16’s Head Coach

Tim Wells – U16’s Assistant Coach

Tim is a local coach who has joined the club gaining experience to benefit himself and the players he coaches at Folly Lane.

Andy Wood – U16’s Assistant Coach

Andy was a player who gained BARLA recognition and is now coaching in the amateur game at Latchford. He is in his 2nd year at the club on the scholarship scheme and we feel he definitely has the makings of a head coach.

Graham Holroyd – U15’s Assistant Coach

Graham is turning his hand to coaching whilst in the twilight of his playing career. Returning back to one of his former clubs he is enjoying the experience and his wealth of knowledge will be invaluable to the young U15’s players.

Paul Wilde - U15’s Assistant Coach

Paul is the head coach of Folly Lane U13’s and is an active coach in the area constantly out in the Manchester area searching for new talent.

Mike Hughes – Academy Head Conditioner

Mike has come back to the club after a spell in America and is an enthusiastic member of the coaching staff. This will be his third year with the club.

Ric Partridge – Academy Assistant Conditioner

After coming to the club at the latter end of last season Ric is building up a great rapport with the players and is combining his Masters degree with our conditioning program.

Mike Thomasson – Scholarship Conditioner

Mike has joined the club to gain valuable experience whilst finishing his degree at Salford University.

Emma Chapman –U20’s Physiotherapist

Emma has spent a couple of years helping out around the 1st team on the medical side but enters her 1st year as the physio for one of the teams.

Jade Tse – U18’s Physiotherapist

Jade first came to the club to gain experience and help around the 1st team environment in 2007. She now enters her 3rd year as the U18’s physio.

Lyndsey Watkins - Scholarship Physiotherapist

Lyndsey is in her 2nd year of doing the physiotherapy for the scholarship which is possibly the biggest job medically in the club numbers wise. Previous to that she has spent 2 years assisting Katy McDonnell with the U20’s and her fantastic work ethic continues as she still manages to fit this in as well.