![Dean Baker]()
Dean Baker
Assistant CoachI have been coaching since 2012 and I am a UEFA B Licensed Goalkeeping Coach with extensive experience across both academy and senior football. Throughout my career, I have worked with clubs including Macclesfield FC, Bradford Park Avenue, and Warrington Rylands 1906, developing both goalkeepers and outfield players within high-performance environments.
I currently serve as Head of Academy at Airbus UK Broughton FC, where I oversee the player development pathway and support the progression of young players across all age groups. Alongside this role, I work with Macclesfield International and also coach for Everton FC through both Everton International and Everton Academy programmes.
My coaching experience covers both goalkeeping and outfield coaching, player development, academy management, talent identification, session design, and creating professional learning environments that enable players to maximise their potential. I am passionate about helping players develop technically, tactically, physically, and mentally, ensuring they are equipped to perform and progress at every stage of their
![Dirk Lambertson]()
Dirk Lambertson
Assistant coachDirk Lambertson has unique experience on the coaching staff as prior to going into coaching, he was a player on the program. Completing an undergraduate degree in Football Studies graduating with honors followed by a master's degree in Sport Coaching again graduating with honors.
He is a UEFA C Licensed coach and begins his UEFA B course in December of 2026. Originally from North Carolina, he grew up in Naples, Italy and gained much of his football experience from the Italian game. He has spent time as a coach for his former high school football team leading them to a DoDEA European Championship and another final in consecutive years.
During university he went on placement to Bolton Wanderers FC and assisted in the Academy Development phase. At IFG he was the assistant for the U19s and assisted the U23 Whites throughout the 2024-25 season and in the 2025-26 season he was primarily the assistant coach for the U20s, temporarily taking charge during a coaching change, as well as assisting the U23s, Reserves, and U23 Blues.
Gareth Gray
Head Goalkeeper CoachMy football journey began as a professional goalkeeper, spending two and a half years with Bolton Wanderers and two years at Rochdale, where I made my 1st team debut, before enjoying a successful semi-professional career with clubs including Morecambe, Hyde United and Great Harwood Town.
I started my coaching career in grassroots football before specialising as a goalkeeper coach. My first goalkeepier coaching role was with the Manchester City Development Centre, where I worked with developing young goalkeepers before joining Preston North End Academy. During my eight years at Preston, I was fortunate to work with goalkeepers across a range of age groups from under 7s to under 16s, supporting their technical, tactical and personal development within a professional academy environment.
In 2021, I joined Macclesfield IFG in a part-time coaching role before becoming a permanent member of staff in 2024. I am committed to creating a positive, challenging and supportive learning environment where goalkeepers can develop the technical ability, confidence and decision-making skills needed to perform at the highest level possible.
Dan Sutcliff
U23 Women's Head CoachDan is a UEFA A and UEFA Elite Youth A Licence football coach with over 15 years of experience working across both the male and female game. His coaching journey has spanned the Youth Development, Professional Development and senior environments, where he has developed a player-centred philosophy built around helping individuals maximise their potential both on and off the pitch.
Having held a variety of coaching roles at Blackburn Rovers, most recently as First Team Assistant Coach, Dan has gained extensive experience in developing elite players and delivering high-performance environments. He currently leads the women's programme at IFG Macclesfield, continuing his passion for supporting player development within the female game.
Dan is recognised for his attention to detail, relentless work ethic and ability to create positive, demanding environments where players feel challenged, supported and confident to develop. He places great value on collaboration, working closely with multidisciplinary staff to provide players with the highest standard of coaching and support.
Driven by a desire to continually learn and evolve, Dan is passionate about building high-performing cultures, developing technically and tactically intelligent players, and making a lasting impact on every individual and team he works with.
Danny Whittaker
U23 Head CoachA former professional footballer with a career spanning more than 20 years, I made over 800 first-team appearances, spending the majority of my playing career in League One and League Two with clubs including Macclesfield Town, Port Vale, Oldham Athletic, and Chesterfield FC. I am a UEFA ‘A’ Licensed Coach with extensive experience across senior and academy football. After coaching and managing in the Football League, I became the first-ever Men’s First Team Manager of Macclesfield FC, leading the club to promotion in its inaugural season.
Following 18 months in that role, I became Under-21 Manager and Head of Coaching at the Macclesfield FC Academy. During this time, I focused on player development, mentoring academy coaches, and helping to build a strong coaching culture while further developing my own leadership and coaching philosophy.
After another successful 18-month period, I was appointed First Team Manager of Bradford (Park Avenue). It was a challenging role that required a complete rebuild of the playing squad. During my 12 months at the club, I gained invaluable experience in squad development, recruitment, leadership, and managing a team through a period of significant transition.
Following my time at Bradford, I returned to Macclesfield FC to join the IFG Academy as Assistant Shadow Youth Team Coach. In my first season, we achieved a historic league and cup double. This season, as Lead Coach, we successfully retained the league title and reached the cup final, continuing to develop talented young players in a high-performance environment.
Throughout my coaching journey, every role has added to my knowledge and experience, shaping me into a passionate, player-focused coach committed to developing individuals, building successful teams, and creating environments where players can reach their full potential.
Alex Marr
U21 Head CoachI am a UEFA B licensed football coach, currently completing my UEFA A Licence, with experience across academy, youth, and senior football in both the men's and women's game. My coaching practice is underpinned by a Master's degree in Coaching and Analysis and a BSc in Astrophysics, providing a unique blend of performance expertise, analytical thinking, and evidence-based decision making.
Throughout my career, I have worked within high-performance environments focused on developing players and building successful teams. At AFC Fylde, I coached within the Under-18 Scholar programme coupled with my role as Head of the Junior Academy, where I led the delivery of the club's player development programme and supported the long-term progression of young players into senior football. In the senior game, I worked with Skelmersdale United, helping them to reach the FA Cup First Round Proper for the first time in 50 years before gaining promotion the following season. In the Women’s game I coached Fylde Women and Chorley Women, before taking Macclesfield Women to a League and Cup double, reflecting a commitment to creating high-performing, cohesive teams capable of sustained success.
My coaching philosophy is centred on developing intelligent, adaptable footballers through an environment that values tactical understanding, technical excellence, and individual growth.
![Gareth Prendergast]()
Gareth Prendergast
SYT Head CoachAn UEFA A Licence football coach, educator and programme leader with over 20 years’ experience in coaching and player development across academy football, higher education and first team environments.
A qualified teacher with a PGCE and a Master of Research in Sport and Exercise Science specialising in talent identification, player development, coaching and performance analysis. Previously held roles include the Lead Development Coach at Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy, Academy Manager and First Team Coach at Hyde United FC and Tutor/Coach at Crewe Alexandra He is also a Casual Coach Development Officer at Cheshire FA, mentoring grassroots coaches on their coaching journeys. Gareth has led across player development, academy philosophy, performance analysis, staff development and programme management.
He has a wealth of experience working as part of multi-disciplinary teams to maximise player potential; integrating sport science, performance analysis and individual learning plans into player development. A published researcher, he has a history of supporting players progressing from academy to first team level in non-league, the football league, and beyond.
