Meet the Team
Dan Curnyn
Role: Football Development Officer
Coach Qualifications: Children’s Coaching Licence & UEFA B Licence
What is the most important aspect to coaching: For me, it’s developing players to be good people. Encouraging them to have fun, work hard and never give up! I’m old enough now to see children I used to coach, grow older. They’ve either made it to the professional game, gone off to university or achieved something they’ve always wanted to. That is the most rewarding aspect!
Favourite Football Moment: As a Celtic fan, it has to be the match where they won the first treble under Brendan Rodgers - going the whole season unbeaten, coming from behind and winning the Scottish Cup in the last minutes of the game. Football doesn’t get better than that!
Jordan Smith
Role: Football Co-ordinator
Coach Qualifications: SFA Advanced Children’s License
What is the most important aspect to coaching: Developing players both on and off the pitch is the thing that I enjoy the most within this job. Ensuring that all players have a positive experience within sessions and develop skills that can be transferred into everyday life is what is the most rewarding part of coaching. Seeing someone achieve success either on or off the pitch is the best part of the job!
Favourite Football Moment: As a Dundee United fan, success is few and far between! That’s why my most favourite moment is watching them lift the Scottish Cup in 2010! Although I wasn’t old enough to fully understand the occasion, it was still a brilliant day to be a part of!
Martin McKillop
Role: Lead Football Coach
Coach Qualifications: SFA Children’s Award and SFA C License
What is the most important aspect to coaching: Being organised and adaptable for all sessions.
Favourite Football Moment: Scotland Men's National Team winning the penalty shootout v Serbia to make Euro 2020.
Glen Strachan
Role: Lead Football Coach
Coach Qualifications: Children’s Coaching Licence
What is the most important aspect to coaching: Ensuring all participants are safe, involved and enjoying the activity. Fostering a love for the game of football and encouraging lifelong participation in sport.
Favourite Football Moment: I was at the game in Paris when James McFadden scored from 40 yards against the France team that had just finished as World Cup runners up.
Ryan Boyd
Role: Lead Football Coach
Coach Qualifications: Children’s Coaching Licence
What is the most important aspect to coaching: The most importance aspect for me is developing players both in sport and as people, while watching the player grow wherever they move onto.
Favourite Football Moment: Liverpool v Barcelona at Anfield coming back to win the game and book place in the Champions League Final
Jason Coyle
Role: Assistant Football Coach
Coach Qualifications: Introduction to Coaching
What is the most important aspect to coaching: Seeing a child having a smile on their face after a session.
Favourite Football Moment: James McPake scoring a last minute goal to get a draw at against Dundee United at Tannadice.
Calum Findleton
Role: Assistant Football Coach
Coach Qualifications: Introduction to Coaching
What is the most important aspect to coaching: Teaching the next generation is a fantastic opportunity to get to know them as people and players. It is really rewarding to see where the go in the future.
Favourite Football Moment: As a Dundee fan, my favourite moment is when long time Dundee fan Craig Wighton slotted home against Dundee Utd to make it 2-1 and to relegate them into the Championship.
Ray Simpson
Role: Assistant Football Coach
Coach Qualifications: Introduction to Coaching
What is the most important aspect to coaching: Ensuring I deliver high standards and have a professional approach to coaching.
Favourite Football Moment: It must be the Ole Gunner Solskjaer winner for Man Utd in the 1999 Champions League final.