HARRY WATLING

Founder and Director

‘Start With Why’.

Harry Watling founded APD for young players who had been released from professional academies or for players who had the potential but hadn’t had the platform to be seen by scouts and coaches. APD’s mission therefore, is to bridge the gap between grassroots and professional football, whilst coaching them to maximise their capabilities and give them a platform to gain exposure to professional set ups.

Harry was one of the country’s youngest coaches to gain the UEFA A and B license at the ripe ages of 26 and 18. Unsurprisingly, Harry was snapped up by Premier League powerhouse, Chelsea FC where he coached for 5 years before moving on to Millwall FC for 4 years, West Ham United, Hartford Athletic, QPR and Rangers FC. Most recently, Harry joined Rob Edwards at Championship side Middlesbrough, before moving across to Wolverhampton Wanderers as Assistant Head Coach. Harry draws upon these years at Premier League clubs to enrich the APD football syllabus and to help his players reach their goals. His flourishing coaching career has not gone unnoticed. Harry strives to aid his players through his coaching ability and extensive connections within the industry. The ‘proof is in the pudding’ when you scroll down our Hall of Fame list and see the amount of young players Harry and APD have helped reach professional contracts or scholarships.

Harry’s entrepreneurial spirit has meant that not only has his personal coaching career has flourished but he has the ability to help more coaches and players improve within the game of football, under the APD badge.