Meet the coaches

Head Coach - Lee Burgess (UEFA B / Youth Module 4) 

Lee Burgess is a UEFA B and Youth Module 4 qualified coach with extensive experience across elite football environments, having represented and coached at professional clubs including Leeds United, ESPZEN Singapore, and Blackburn Rovers FC. His journey in football began at Brighouse Juniors and progressed through youth spells with Manchester United, Leeds United, Halifax Town, Wyke Wanderers FC, Bradford City, and Hull City FC, where he developed as a technically gifted and tactically intelligent player.

From an early age, Lee was coached by some of the UK’s most respected academy and elite development coaches—an influence that shaped both his playing style and his long-term passion for player development. Throughout his academy career, he thrived in environments that encouraged creativity, risk-taking, and continual learning. These experiences instilled in him a deep appreciation for technical excellence, tactical understanding, and the importance of supporting young players through high-quality, engaging, and challenging coaching sessions.

Lee’s love for the game traces back to his first season ticket at Leeds United at just two years old. The energy of Elland Road and the ambition to reach the highest level fuelled his playing journey, which included representing Hull City at under-18 level alongside senior professionals. Reflecting on his development, he recognises the value of early technical foundations—ball mastery, 1v1 ability, and confidence in tight areas—which now form the cornerstone of his coaching philosophy.

A significant chapter in Lee’s coaching journey came during his time at ESPZEN Academy in Singapore, a leading football academy where he gained invaluable international experience working in one of the most humid climates in the world. As Head of Football Operations, Lee was responsible for delivering a comprehensive football programme for over 600 children and overseeing more than 45 teams competing every weekend. This role strengthened his belief in providing early access to the game while also offering elite platforms for young players at the beginning of their football journey.

A major part of his role at ESPZEN involved coach mentoring, ensuring that local coaches developed in alignment with the academy’s coaching philosophy. This passion for developing coaches continued upon his return to the UK in 2017, where he took on a mentoring role at Queensbury Celtic FC. Since then, Lee has mentored over 20+ grassroots coaches, helping shape their practice, confidence, and understanding of player development. He remains deeply committed to this long-term mentoring programme.

Alongside his coaching expertise, Lee is passionate about giving children experiences that inspire a lifelong love for the game. Whether it’s attending their first professional match, stepping inside a stadium for the first time, touring elite training grounds, or taking part in team-building activities, Lee believes these moments spark belief, ambition, and the courage to dream big.

Today, Lee continues to create learning environments grounded in purposeful repetition, realism, and competitive challenge. His experience across professional academies in the UK and abroad has equipped him with a diverse toolkit to support players and coaches at every level of the game.