About UP Football

Gavin came through the youth system at Sunderland until he was released. After that, there was no clear pathway. He just knew he wanted to keep playing, so he did the only thing there was to do: turned up, played for local teams and kept working to get better.

That took him into semi-professional football, where he worked his way up the leagues. He scored at Wembley as Spennymoor Town lifted the 2013 FA Vase, and was lucky enough to play at Wembley again with South Shields. Along the way came plenty of league titles and cup wins.

Strength and conditioning was a big part of that story. Gavin put a huge amount into his own training, and it kept him playing at a good level until he was 38. Only Covid brought his playing days to an end.

He has now spent over 20 years in strength and conditioning, and brings both sides to UP Football: the coaching knowledge, and the experience of a player who had to find his own way after being released.

Gavin is passionate about helping young footballers and athletes fulfil their potential. His aim is to give every child the expert guidance, encouragement and confidence they need to improve as a player and grow into a strong, capable and self-assured young person.

Jude spent nine years developing within Newcastle United's Academy, joining at the age of nine and staying until he was eighteen. That gave him a first-hand understanding of the standards, challenges and pressures young players face as they progress through academy football.

He started his semi-professional football journey at Ashington AFC.

Jude uses what he learned, from the positive experiences and from the decisions he would approach differently, to help the next generation. His goal is to guide young footballers through their development, help them avoid common mistakes and build the skills, physical qualities, confidence and mindset they need to fulfil their potential.