I only know him as my friend, Derek is a kind, thoughtful and giving person, Always willing to help anyone , grateful for life and always looking after his family. Funny, great team player and overall great guy.

I owe a tremendous amount of credit to Derek over many years for his positivity, providing support. His patience offering practical suggestions which I have implemented in my day to day life.Not only is he knowledgeable but also knows how to teach and transfer this to you.

Derek was great for my confidence in and out of work times where I may have lost my belief in my ability in the years prior to meeting you. You helped restore my enjoyment for life and gave me direction which was all I wanted in the years following my tough times Thank you for that.

Despite having only had you as a coach for a year I feel like as a manager you are very approachable and have given me some really helpful advice this year you have helped me massively with my journey to achieve this year and making me feel included in the team despite not always being able to be there I feel like you have also helped me adapt to a new role this year

I was looking for a good programme for the next few years, many places made me realise that I’d just be another number in their project, however with Derek I could just tell it’d be different, he didn’t just build amazing squads over the years but gave us a place to really helps us feel at home, he helped to fall in love with football again, gave me many opportunities at BUCS and Northern League level and even pushed me to go on to sign a professional contract, beyond a good coach & mentor, Derek is a good friend.

I have known Derek for a number of years in both a work capacity and also a a friend. As a younger coach I always looked up to the senior coaches - especially Derek as I knew that he always possessed a really strong ethos regarding important coaching principles - but probably as important- Derek always seemed to be able to connect with players on a personal level too - knowing exactly how to get the best out of each individual. He is a thoughtful person and never seems to jump into ‘knee jerk’ reaction decisions and this approach is always such an inspiration to witness.

"Throughout the past year, Derek has been a beacon of guidance and support. Derek’s mentorship has helped me navigate challenging situations with clarity and confidence. His advice and teachings have equipped me with invaluable skills, empowering me to overcome obstacles and reach new heights when coaching football. Thank you for being a mentor, a friend, and a source of inspiration on my coaching journey .

After spending over two decades as a Professional Footballer the next stage of my development was going into the coaching side of the game . A honest , humble , reliable and hard working individual Derek is some one I can call a great friend who I have learned a lot from with his passion to help others .

‘Derek was a great mentor and leadership figure throughout my time at Team Northumbria. He provided a professional enviroment for players from all over the country to continue to compete at a high level whilst gaining an education. Team Northumbria produced many high level players but the work of Derek set people up for life after Universty. A dedicated professional, who’s time, effort, and commitment was based solely on making people around him better. 5 years later I am now a college coach in America and looking to provide the same service that I was given at 18. Still to this day Derek shows great care and is always available to help me through the friendship we developed years ago’

Derek has been an incredible mentor and guide throughout my journey. As a Northumbria student from India, I initially found myself in an unfamiliar environment. Derek's support was instrumental in helping me adjust to the team dynamics and feel comfortable in this new setting. His coaching and encouragement not only boosted my confidence but also enhanced my skills significantly. I'm grateful for his positivity and care. His mentorship has been invaluable, and I'm fortunate to have him as a friend and mentor.

I have known Derek for over four decades and I can honestly say he has constantly worked hard & upheld the values, morals and ethos of a top coach / mentor. Derek always makes sure that everyone under his supervision are working in a safe & productive environment, in which students feel confident and can reach their full protentional, irrespective of background or ability. Derek has mentored myself & lead a number of coaching sessions, seminars, meetings and presentations, and has maintained a professional standard delivering to the highest level of integrity. Derek has demonstrated an ability to analyse other coaches’ performances and enhance their ability with appropriate verbal feedback with a positive outcome. Also, Derek effectively uses questions and provides genuine feedback to the people who he is supporting and helping them including myself.

As I expressed an interest in coaching, Derik was there to guide me every step of the way. He provided invaluable advice on the necessary certifications and where to obtain them. Once I obtained my certificates, he offered me the opportunity to work alongside him at Whitley Bay Academy. Working with Derik has been transformative. He has not only taught me the technical aspects of coaching but has also imparted invaluable insights into the art of motivating players and creating engaging training sessions. Through his mentorship I have gained a newfound understanding of football and coaching, one that I had never experienced before. Derik's open-mindedness and genuine desire to help others have left a lasting impression on me. He is a true mentor and role model always willing to offer support and opportunities to those around him. I am immensely grateful for his guidance and encouragement, and I will always cherish the lessons I have learned from him.