Tom Curtis

Thomas David Curtis (born 1 March 1973) is an English retired professional footballer who is England's youth development phase lead at The Football Association. Prior to that he was a Senior Youth Coach Developer at the Football Association, previously he was Academy Manager at Bristol Rovers and Technical Director at the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association. Playing career Curtis was born in Exeter, England. He played for several Football League clubs, and is perhaps best remembered for his seven-year spell at Chesterfield, where he played more than 250 games and was part of the Spireites''' memorable cup run of 1996–97, where they reached the semi-finals, with Curtis scoring the winner from the penalty spot in Chesterfield's upset victory against Nottingham Forest. Curtis was signed by Chesterfield manager John Duncan at a time when the young footballer was undertaking a university course. Between the player and his manager, a situation was settled upon whereby Tom could continue his education whilst training with the Spireites part-time. His other clubs include Mansfield Town, Chester City (both in a Player/Coach role), Notts County and Portsmouth. While playing at Mansfield Town, Chester City, Nuneaton Borough and Alfreton Town, he was given the captaincy. At Mansfield, Curtis helped them to the 2004 Third Division Play-off Final. In the semi-finals, Curtis' goal in the second leg against Northampton took the game to a penalty shootout, which Mansfield went on to win. The final against Huddersfield also went to penalties, however this time Mansfield lost and were thus denied promotion. Curtis' only other goal for Mansfield came in the FA Cup against Bishop's Stortford. Whilst at Chester, Curtis scored once in a 3–1 win over Barnet in October 2005. Managerial career Curtis was appointed head coach of Loughborough University Football Team in 2007, leading the team to various trophies in his four years in the role.