Training Ground Guru | Everton Academy Chief Operating Officer Waldron exits after 12 years

Rewritten: Written by Training Ground Guru - December 20th, 2023

After occupying the role of Academy Director and then Chief Operating Officer for 12 years, JOEL WALDRON has departed from Everton Football Club.

Waldron, whose father was formerly in charge of hiring at Everton's academy, started out as an occasional scout for the team before being promoted to the role of Head of Academy Operations in September of 2011.

In March of 2017, he was given a promotion to become the Academy Director and this job lasted three and a half years. The position was later taken over by David Unsworth. After that, Waldron began working as both the Academy Chief Operating Officer and the Head of Academy Recruitment.

There have been significant transformations in Everton's Category One Academy following the selection of Kevin Thelwell as Sporting Director in March 2022. To learn more about this development, you can watch Episode #58 of the TGG Podcast featuring Thelwell below.

The academy has new additions to its team such as Gareth Prosser who is now in charge of managing the academy, Carl Darlington as the one who will head and supervise the coaching department, and Lee Sargeson as the latest scouting operations manager. Dan Manning's role, on the other hand, has been as head of academy operations since the month of July in the year 2019.

In a post on LinkedIn, Waldron stated that he has left Everton Football Club after serving full-time for over 12 years, and having been associated with the club for many more years. He expressed his gratitude for the chances he was given throughout his time at the club, which enabled him to progress from the role of a young informal scout and administrator, to higher positions like Head of Academy Recruitment, Chief Operating Officer, and Academy Director. He regards this as an honor and a source of pride that will always be with him.

Personally, I had a lot of wonderful moments and memories, while also facing and overcoming some tough obstacles. I gained valuable knowledge and skills and hopefully made a positive impact on others, the program, and the community. Most importantly, I was lucky enough to interact with countless exceptional kids, families, and colleagues, both within and beyond my field.

Being someone who strongly believes in the power of youth development in various aspects, such as sports and personal growth, I am extremely grateful and content with what I have experienced, especially with the club that my family has been loyal to for generations. I express my sincere gratitude to all the individuals, current and previous members, affiliated with Everton for their continuous support throughout these years and I extend my best wishes to everyone involved for their future endeavors.

I am excited to have some valuable moments with my wife, daughter, loved ones, and acquaintances this Christmas season and the start of a new year. We will take advantage of the opportunity to unwind, ponder, and gain energy before experiencing what 2024 has in store for us.