Head of Football Development
Huw Jennings took up the role of Head of Football Development towards the start of the 2021/22 season.
Huw worked as a teacher for 12 years, and during this period he coached district, county and regional schools’ football in the Oxford area. He also coached at the Oxford United Centre of Excellence.
Huw joined Southampton FC as Head of Education in 1998 at the start of the Academy system and graduated to Academy Director in 2001. During this period, Saints enjoyed tremendous success with their youth production with the likes of Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, Adam Lallana, and subsequently Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Luke Shaw and James Ward-Prowse all embarking on highly successful careers.
He left Southampton in 2006 to join the Premier League as its Youth Development Manager. There Huw played his part in the reformation of youth development with the publication of the Lewis Report which acted as the precursor to the Elite Player Performance Plan.
However, Huw’s calling remained in club football and when Fulham made contact, he elected to join the Whites in 2008 to rejuvenate its Academy. Since then Huw has led Fulham’s Academy to significant success with the likes of Ryan Sessegnon, Marcus Bettinelli, Patrick Roberts, Moussa Dembélé and Marek Rodák all alumni products. In the summer of 2019, Huw was recognised for his contribution to football, being awarded Doctor of Sport by Southampton Solent University.