Luke Hopkins has added to his backroom staff by firstly bringing in Tom Cudworth who comes with a very impressive background.
Tom Cudworth is a FA registered, UEFA B, Level 3 coach and former professional footballer with Coventry City FC. He has experience playing/coaching in the U.K, Australia and USA.
During his time with Coventry City he made a number of appearances in the premier reserve league. Whilst he was an academy player at Coventry, Tom captained the FA Youth Cup final team against West Ham United which included players such as Joe Cole & Michael Carrick. The following year Tom also captained Coventry City in their second successive FA Youth Cup final against Arsenal, this team included well known players such as Jay Boothroyd and Steven Sidwell.
After leaving Coventry City, Tom moved to the United States where he joined A League side The Atlanta Silverbacks. It was during this time he found his desire to start coaching and was asked to help and develop the junior players at the club. After moving back to England and appearing for a number of semi professional clubs, Tom gained his level 1 and level 2 FA coaching certificates.
In 2008 Tom was offered a fantastic opportunity to play and coach in Australia which he accepted and joined Brisbane based soccer team, The Gap Gators. This role included developing the youth players and preparing them for Mens football.
Tom returned to the U.K in 2009 where he began a private football coaching company called SOCCERROCKZ. This is ran in association will Coventry Sphinx FC and aimed at offering specialist football coaching to children aged 4-12 years.
Tom is now a UEFA B level 3 coach, having completed a PFA professionals course, at the England national team head quarters St George's Park.
More recently he has gained back to back promotions managing Coventry Sphinx Sports & Social getting them to Premier One the highest tier in the local Coventry Alliance.
Playing Career
1998-2002 Coventry City FC
(FA Youth Cup Finalist 99/00)
2002 Atlanta Silverback (USA)
2003 TNS (Welsh Premier League)
2004 Wakefield & Emley (Unibond)
2005 Racing Club Warwick
League Cup Winners
2006 Leamington FC
League Winners
2007 Coventry Sphinx FC
2008 The Gap Gators (Australia)
League Winners
Also joining the management team is Stuart Fraser.
Stuart is joining the club in a dual role, firstly as a coach for the first team on Saturdays and also in an assistant role with Youth Team Manager Stuart Dutton.
Over the years Stuart has played at a handful of teams across Coventry with large spells at Coventry GPT/Marconi now Coventry Copsewood and is now keen to develop more on the coaching side of things and getting into non league football.
He was with Copsewood from 13 to 25 winning youth honours and started playing in the first team at 16. He played 9 years in the Midland Combination winning the Coventry Charity Cup in the process but missing out on the Midland Combination title though coming very close on three 3 occasions. Signed for local Coventry Alliance side Folly Lane but damaged knee ligaments twice in 12 months so retired aged 28 and took on managing the reserves. He got them promoted to Alliance 1 winning the Stockton Cup and runner up in Foleshill Charity Cup. He was then given first team job narrowly missing out on Premier League last season title to Whitnash and getting to the Coventry Charity and Coventry Telegraph finals.
Stuart said "Proud of the experience I have had at both clubs. I know the task ahead will be hard but I am looking to win things at Sphinx. I know its a step up for me but when you are given a chance like this you take it with both hands. Can't wait to get started and stuck in and give it a real go."
Luke Hopkins had this to say about his new recruits "I’ve played, worked with Tom in the past and he’s always been someone I want in my corner, his football knowledge is massive and still has ties all over the place you wouldn’t believe, he’s a brilliant coach and above all a realist on how football is played at our level and the few above. I think he will bring massive amount to the team and I’m excited about little extra’s I know he has up his sleeve on getting us them extra points we need to kick on to compete for the league. Tom has a very calming influence on all those around him but please do not let that get you in a false sense of security, he has high demands and to every end is a winner.
"I’ve known Stu for a long time, we played together on Saturdays and Sunday and he always had a sweet left foot and was always a good guy to be around on and off the pitch. He’s a football man and I think his principles of life around family, work and football are brilliant for the dual role he has agreed to take on with the young lads and helping them progress, this also gives him a chance to work with Tom, Stu Dutton and Lee Jon Rhodes on the coaching side of things and allow him the personal development he is looking for, and on the club side we get a good guy with ability which he has shown in getting Folly Lane a 2nd place spot in the Coventry Alliance.
"With Tom and Stuart joining my management team it just forges stronger links between the first & youth teams, sending a signal we are prepared to give youth an opportunity and help good players take a step into non league football. It gives me a strong set up with Lynton Wilkinson assisting me after Lee Jon stepped down from Asst Manager, Tom and Stuart F coaching, Stuart D looking after the keepers and Lee Jon Scouting, watching players, games and him able to work on some personal development with his badges. Then to mirror it in the youth team, Stuart D as the manager, Stuart F added to Reece from last year supported by Colin Layfield and Wayne Whitehouse, we look strong and cover a lot of bases with the knowledge pool we have at our fingers."