Trusted. respected. committed.
8BY8 Football Ltd is a professional coaching organisation powered by the area’s leading coaches. Our ongoing aim is to create the right environment for every football enthusiast to get involved in the game and maximise their potential.
After many years working for different organisations, we set up 8BY8 Football in 2017 delivering 1-2-1 and small groups practices. Then partnering with junior clubs and schools and after hours and hours of sessions we developed into a full time coaching team. That team boasts professional league appearances, academy coaching and elite managerial experience, added to that we have a combined tally of over 35 years full time coaching. We know what it takes to make it in the game and have over 15 players currently playing within the academy system.
Most importantly, we enjoy inspiring a love of the game, empowering players to believe in their own abilities and elevating them to new exciting levels.
The football pathway is a rollercoaster, progression and development takes time, patience and understanding. Enjoy the journey, we’ll be there every step of the way.
8BY8 Core Values
Inspire a love of the game
Empower the player with knowledge and experience.
Elevate levels through challenge and opportunity.
The team
Alex Brown
Owner / Head of Coaching
Age: 39
Playing Bio: Alex grew up playing for Crewe Alexandra FC, initially being invited in at the age of 7 and staying there throughout the development phases, receiving his scholarship at 16. Playing high level rugby alongside academy football caused a set back when an awkward tackle left Alex needing major cartilage surgery just before starting his scholarship. Alex was released at 19 and spent the following years at the highest end of the semi professional leagues. A few promotions and league winners medals later Alex retired at 33 making the move into academy coaching,
Coaching Bio: Full time coach since the age of 22. UEFA B licence gained in 2017, including advanced youth modules. His coaching experiences is vast with time spent as an academy coach at Oldham Athletic and Crewe Alexandra FC, an assistant manager at National North side Curzon Ashton and many, many hours spent coaching juniors in various capacities.
Favourite Player: Paul Scholes
Supports: Manchester United
Favourite Quote: ‘Never judge a fish by it’s ability to climb a tree’ - Albert Einstein
Ryan Brooke
Director / Head coach
Age: 33
Playing Bio: Ryan made the step up into academy football at the age of 14 when he was invited in on trial at Oldham Athletic. After a successful trial he signed academy forms and gained his scholarship at age 16. At age 18 he signed his first professional contract and that same year made his professional debut scoring a winning goal against Watford. Unfortunately shortly after he was on the end of a reckless tackle that put him out for months and on return to first team duties, under a new managerial regime, couldn’t force his way back into the side. Searching for game time Ryan spent the following years in the top levels of non league football and after building a reputation as a ruthless striker, still plys his trade in the Northern Premier Division for Runcorn Linnets.
Coaching Bio: Full time coach for 7 years, holding his Level 2 certificate.
Favourite Player: Fernando Torres
Supports: West Brom
Favourite Quote: School is important, but football is importanter.
Sam Boswell
Lead Coach / Schools Coordinator
Age: 20
Playing Bio: As a junior Sam played for various local clubs including High Lane FC and Poynton Juniors, a dominant midfielder he lead each team quickly being awarded the captains armband. At age 16 he was selected to play for regional U21s team. He now plays for Styal FC.
Coaching Bio: Currently undergoing his FA level 2 (UEFA C) coaching badge. Sam is a firm favourite with the kids, and his experience of coaching from a young age means he’s able to deliver with detail and authority. He’s been a coach with 8BY8 since he was 15 as part of his DofE and now an important full time member of the team,
Favourite Player: David Silva
Supports: Manchester City
Favourite Quote: ‘I still do not understand the rules here’ - Pep Guardiola
Nathan Caine
Lead Coach
Age: 21
Playing Bio: Nathan was at Everton and Rochdale up to the age of 16. He then moved on to Mansfield Town under the offer of a 2 year scholarship and 1 year as a professional making his debut at age 18 and scoring his first pro goal in the same season. He was shortly sent out on loan to various non league outfits and couldn’t force his way back into the first team on his return. He now plays semi-professional football and has done for the last 2 seasons but more than capable of making it back into full time football.
Coaching Bio: Level 2 qualified and has been coaching now for just over a year with 8BY8 Football.
Favourite Player: Martin Odegaard
Supports: Manchester City
Favourite Quote: ‘Fail to prepare, prepare to fail’
Natalya Halliwell
Lead Coach / Head of girls coaching
Age: 22
Playing Bio: Nat has played football from the earliest of memories starting out at Richmond Rovers JFC soccer school then playing in the boys teams up until U13s-U14s. A girls team (an age group above) was then created and she transferred over to that team for the following 5-6 years with great success. Fast forward to the start of the 2019 season Nat started to play for Stockport County Ladies FC and slowly got through the ranks from: U'18s -> Development Team -> Reserve Team. Then finally, through some tough seasons battling with underlying injuries and self-confidence, at the start of this season (23-24) I made her debut for the SCLFC First team in a cup match against Sheffield LFC!
Coaching Bio: FA Level 1, SafeGuarding and First aid. In July 2023 Nat graduated University (UA92) with a First Class Bachelor Honors in Physical Education and also achieve sports student of the year!
Favourite Player: Christiano Ronaldo / Mary Earps
Supports: Manchester United
Favourite Quote: ‘Bare with me’
Reiss Baks-Jones
Senior Part Time coach
Age: 27
Playing Bio: Reiss had stints as a youth player and scholar at both Wrexham FC and Cern druids but from an early age made his way into professional football coaching.
Coaching Bio: Uefa B licensed coach with a degree in sports coaching. He currently works part time with 8BY8 and has done for over 5 years whilst working in Manchester United’s regional talent centre and primary schools hub. He also had spells at Manchester city coaching their pre academy and foundation age groups.
Favourite Player: Steven Gerrard
Supports: Liverpool
Favourite Quote: You can’t be upset with the results you didn't get from the work you didn’t do.
Zak Greenwell
Coach
Age: 18
Playing Bio: Zak started his academy journey at Manchester City then moving onto rochdale where he signed academy forms and went onto to sign scholarship forms at the age of 16. Sadly as the club declined going into Non league, Zak was released and now looking to find his way back into elite football.
Coaching Bio: Level 2 coach and just starting his journey at 8BY8.
Favourite Player: Mesut Ozil \ Eden Hazard
Supports: Manchester United
Favourite Quote: ‘Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard’.