Board & Staff

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Durham FA Staff

Click to View Directors

M. Spedding - Chair
J.C. Topping - CEO
A. Sheen - Board Safeguarding Champion
G. McKitterick - Council Member
E. Kelly - Finance Director
P. Ross - EDI Director
E. Coley - Independent Non - Executive Legal Director
S. Clasper - Independent Non - Executive Legal Director
D. Gorley - Independent Non - Executive Commercial Director
P. Stewart - Non Independent Health & Well-Being Director
J. Thompson - Independent Non - Executive Director
A. Wilding - Independent Non - Executive Commercial Director

Click to View Committees

Committees of Durham County Football Association Limited

Disciplinary Committee Members: M. Spedding, G. McKitterick, C. O’Donovan, J. Sinclair.

Independent Members: K. Mullen, S. Clasper, C. Pearson, Y. Wood.

Inclusion Advisory Board: P, Ross (Chair) G. Bennett (MBE), S. Bowman, D. Cleary, C. Errington, A. Loynes, S. Hall, N. Khan, M. Kirby, M. Metcalf, C. O'Donovan, A. Poinen, P. Ross, J. Simmonds, C. Smith, J. Topping.

John Topping

Company Secretary

0191 3872929
John.Topping@DurhamFA.com

I joined in 1993. I lead a staff of 19 who work in Football Services, Development and Safeguarding. I have been the County FA's Representative for 17 years and I am a member of the FA Council, National Game Board, and several committees.

Football services

Kerry Topping

Football Services Manager

0191 3872929 (Opt 2 Opt 4)
Kerry.Topping@DurhamFA.com

I joined in 2010. I manage the Football Services Team, and I am responsible for ensuring our Policies and Procedures are current, along with Benevolent fund applications, Personal Accident and Public Liability Insurance claim queries, financial queries, affiliation, plus player registration matters.

MARK SMITH

County FA Leagues Officer

0191 3872929 (Opt 2 Opt 7)
Mark.Smith@DurhamFA.com

I joined in 2010 and work in the Football Services department where I administer the County FA Leagues for Durham FA. Leagues for the current season can be found online here -https://fulltime.thefa.com/index.html?league=901345664

TRACEY LAVERY

Discipline Manager

0191 3872929 (Opt 2 Opt 1)
Tracey.Lavery@DurhamFA.com

I joined in 1993. I am responsible for all aspects of discipline in the County FA which includes on and off the field offences plus all Anti-Discrimination and Homophobic cases. I am also responsible for ensuring the FA’s Discipline Regulations, Policies and Procedures are adhered to.

BRAD FEARNLEY

Administrator

0191 3872929 (Opt 2 Opt 2)
Bradley.Fearnley@DurhamFA.com

I joined in 2021 and assist Grassroots Clubs with affiliation and player registration. I also help with standard and serious discipline alongside Discipline Manager Tracey Lavery.

BRAD PAUL

Administrator

0191 3872929 (Opt 2 Opt 7)
Bradley.Paul@DurhamFA.com

I joined in 2024 and I am one of the office administrators where I run the DCFA Mini Soccer Leagues and help with issues around affiliation and player registration.

Ellie Mason

Administrator

0191 3872929 (Opt 2 Opt 5)
Ellie.Mason2@DurhamFA.com

I joined in 2024. I help volunteers access FA Technology systems, club and league secretaries with the discipline process, and other club, player, and referee administration

ROSS GUY

Administrator

0191 3872929 (Opt 2 Opt 3)
Ross.Guy@DurhamFA.com

I joined in 2024 and work as a football services administrator where I primarily focus on our County Cup competitions.

Development staff

DAVID CLEARY

Development Manager

0191 3872928 (Opt 4 Opt 6)
David.Cleary@DurhamFA.com

I joined in 1997. I manage our Development Team to deliver against our Business Strategy and to achieve our FA targets. I drive the County FA's commitment to EDI through our Diversity Inclusion Action Plan and develop strong partnerships with key stakeholders.

ANDY BROWN

Football Development Officer (Club Development)

0191 3872928 (Opt 4 Opt 4)
Andrew.Brown@DurhamFA.com

I joined in 2001. I am the Club Development lead for the County FA. My role includes Setting up a Club, Improving Club environments, progress their Accreditation Star Level, create and deliver Development Plans, and link with FA Professional Services Team.

Richard shuffleton

Coach Development

0191 3872928 (Opt 4 Opt 5)
Richard.Shuffleton@DurhamFA.com

I joined in 2018, and I am the Coach Development lead. I design and deliver Coach Development Workshops, and I enhance coaches’ knowledge whilst improving their practical application. I work with Durham County FA Coach Developers, as well as England Learning, Sunderland AFC Academy, and other external partners.

ANDRea Loynes

Football Development Officer (Disability Football)

0191 3872928 (Opt 4 Opt 1)
Andrea.Loynes@DurhamFA.com

I joined in 2018 and I am responsible for the development of the disability pathway for all ages overseeing; Comets, Just Play, Durham Para Talent Hub, Youth & Adults leagues, Awareness Workshops, and deploying the Disability Ambassador and Coach Mentor.

helen Edwards

Football Development Officer (Women & Girls)

0191 3872928 (Opt 4 Opt 2)
Helen.Edwards@DurhamFA.com

I joined in 2019 and I support opportunities within the women and girls’ game as well as supporting the female talent pathway including Emerging Talent Centres. I assist with recruitment and workforce development within the female game including referees, coaches and volunteers.

Amy Richardson

Football Development Officer (Participation)

0191 3872928 (Opt 4 Opt 3)
Amy.Richardson@DurhamFA.com

I joined in 2024 and I help to grow recreational football in clubs and organisations by using FA programmes: Wildcats, Squad Girls, and Just Play. My work expands to walking football, small-sided football, and futsal. I also lead on the Youth Leadership Academy and Youth Forum to provide volunteering opportunities.

Ben Alsop

Club Development Support Officer

0191 3872928 (Opt 4 Opt 4)
Ben.Alsop@DurhamFA.com

I joined in 2025 as the Club Development Support Officer and I will be working with clubs/teams to attain one-star accreditation and above, and supporting Clubs to achieve the England Football Accreditation.

Sebastian Stockbridge

Referee Development Officer

0191 3872928 (Opt 2 Opt 6)
Sebastian.Stockbridge@durhamfa.com

I joined in October 2021. My role is to support and develop referees alongside the recruitment of new referees to the game.

COUNTY SAFEGUARDING

NEIL CHURCHER

Designated Safeguarding Officer

0191 3872928 (Opt 1)

07396681103
Neil.Churcher@DurhamFA.com

I joined in 2024, and I oversee Safeguarding. I liaise with Club Welfare Officers, The FA, Local Authorities, Police, and others, to address and resolve all Safeguarding concerns raised for children and vulnerable adults. I also ensure that clubs and coaches are fully compliant with their DBS processes.

RICHARD HUGHES

Designated Safeguarding Officer: Tuesday-Thursday

0191 3872928
Richard.Hughes@DurhamFA.com

I joined in 2008 and now support Neil in addressing safeguarding and poor practice matters relating to Children and Adults at risk. I orchestrate the County’s Safeguarding Compliance visits, assist with DBS issues, and maintain the NSPCC Safeguarding Standards.

FACILITIES & INVESTMENT

Daniel McElhone

Facilities & Investment Officer

0191 3872929 (Opt 3 Opt 1)
Daniel.McElhone@DurhamFA.com

I joined in 2017, and my role involves working with the Football Foundation to support grassroot clubs and organisations with facility improvement, along with helping National League System clubs to access the Premier League Stadium Fund. I work closely with our 7 Local Authorities on Playing Pitch Strategies, Local Football Facility Plans, and on Community Asset Transfers.

Joe Dredge

Facilities, Marketing ,and Communications Officer

0191 3872929 (Opt 3 Opt 2)
Joseph.Dredge@DurhamFA.com

I joined in 2024, and I am the County FA grass pitch lead where I manage the Grass Pitch Maintenance Programme, and book Pitch Power Assessments for clubs. I am also responsible for Marketing and Communications which involves website editing and publishing social media content.