THE TEAM

Academy Staff Profile

Ash Rahman
Academy Director

Ash’s journey into coaching and management began back in the summer of 1998 when he took charge of King’s Cross United under-12s and 14s at the Calthorpe Project.

Since then he has gone on to accomplish numerous goals within the sport, coaching a host of successful men’s and women’s teams from across London. His major success has been with KXL (Kings Cross Lithgow) Camden United, where he assembled a triumphant team of talented youngsters. During his reign with the club, KXL went on to lift a host of top honours around the country, including the Canary Cup 2000.

They also tasted success on foreign shores as they won bronze at the Dana Cup under-17s & 19s World Youth Tournament in Denmark in 2002 and 2006.

During the 1990s Ash coached and assisted some of the most gifted and talented young prospects that Camden and Islington had to offer. They included; Abdul Koysor (Leyton Orient & Charlton Athletic); Leon Fisher (Watford & England under-17s); Sam Oji (Arsenal and Birmingham City); and Anthony Wordsworth (Wimbledon, Charlton Athletic and Colchester United).

At the tender age of just 18, Ash become one of the youngest scouts for the Premiership Academy when he joined forces with Charlton Athletic, signing top players such as Anthony Wordsworth and Sebastian Ndombe.

His work has merited various media and television coverage, with documentaries produced for the BBC, ITV & Channel Four.

Having won numerous local and national sports awards, Ash’s achievements in the community youth and sports development field have elicited prestigious invitations to the Buckingham Palace Royal Garden Tea Party and to No.10 Downing Street, where he met the Prime Minister Tony Blair.

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Zahid Hossain
Project Manager & Academy Coach

Zahid got involved with football coaching in the late1990s and has since made swift progression. His involvement with various football teams across London has given him the opportunity to develop different coaching methods and management experience in major European youth tournaments such as the Dana Cup in Denmark.

Zahid works in the new media industry as a Digital Producer. Most of his spare time is spent working on behalf of PTSA digital activities and assisting Ash in making sure the organisation continues to run smoothly.

Zahid is MBA, BSc (Hons) qualifyed and holds FA Level 2 coaching Badge.

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Taff Islam
Head of Coaching & Mentor

Taff’s journey in football started at a very young age, from he’s first kick of the ball he knew new he wanted to be a professional footballer. He represented various local Sunday leagues teams but most of all his school, followed by the district and county.

He’s skills, determination, believe landed him schoolboy contracts with Queens Park Rangers and later Luton Town. In September of 1996 he joined Arsenal. While playing and training with the Arsenal Academy, he was one of ten boys at the age of 13, to be chosen to attend the Arsenal schools of excellences at Highams Park School. This gave him the chance to combine his education and training, in developing the skills to become a professional footballer. The likes of David Bentley, Justin Hoyte, Ryan Garry were few of the young players involved in this elite football development just to name a few.

He represented Arsenal in the Academy, Youth and Reserve team, also played in prestigious international tournaments in France and Holland. This was against some of the best in Europe, the likes of Ajax, PSV, Lyon and PSG.

He was released by Arsenal at the end 2002-2003 season, and later went to play for Atlanta Silverbacks in the States for the closing season. He returned to the UK and went on trial at Bristol City, Rusden and Diamonds.

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Joe Girma
Head of Fitness, Mentor & Personal Trainer

Joe started his football journey playing with Queens Park Rangers at the age of 13. After his impressive debut season, he was then offered schoolboy contracts from clubs such as Arsenal, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Leyton Orient and Wimbledon (currently known as MK Don’s) but he decided to move to neighbouring club Wimbledon where he played until he was 17 years old.

He was part of the successful Camden United under 17s winning Bronze Dana Cup squad in 2002 and now currently plays non-league football keeping his passion alive.

Joe currently works as freelance Fitness Instructor, working in various gyms teaching many different classes such as circuits, body condition, aerobics, cardio kick just to name a few. He also works closely with high profile athletes and celebrities as their fitness consultant.

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Koyar Abul
Academy Coach & Mentor

Koyar started his football journey playing schoolboy professional football with Arsenal FC at the age of 11. He later signed for West Ham United for 5 years; during his time with the Hammers he was given once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend an England schoolboys trial, whilst starring in a television documentary film about Asian footballers.

Koyar gained valuable experience playing with some of the best young talents around, such as Kieron Richardson (Manchester United & England), Anton Ferdinand (West Ham United & England under-21s), Joe Cole and Glen Johnson (Chelsea & England). His greatest achievement to date is winning the Milk Cup in Ireland with the Hammers Youth Academy. Koyar now works as a Sports Development Officer for a local authority.

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Ricky Williams
Academy Coach

Ricky began his coaching experience at the tender age of 16 years old. He started his journey coaching youngsters from the age 9-14 year olds, showing and expressing his passion for grass roots football. He successful enjoyed his coaching and managing role with Kings Cross Lithgow (KXL) under-14s, building an excellent reputation by winning various tournaments in and around London such as the Camden Unity Cup. Ricky works full-time as an IT consultant when not instructing his players on the playing field.

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Christian Franco
Academy Coach

Christian was a key influence within the success of KXL Camden United, playing in the holding midfield role. He’s interest grew from previous coaches over the years, which made him realise that he wanted to give something back to the youngsters. He was given the opportunity to start he’s coaching trade with the previous coaches Ash, Koyar and Zahid, to continue the’s great relationship he has with the trio.

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Khaleefa Peart
Academy Fitness Coach and Mentor

Khaleefa has grown up playing district football in both London and
Birmingham whilst also playing semi professional football for Stratford town during the season of 2006-07.

Khaleefa has also featured in football tournaments in Birmingham involving players such as Darius Vassel (England and Manchester City), Zat Knight (England and Aston Villa), Lloyd Dyer (MK Dons) and brothers Isiah and Isaac Osbourne (Aston Villa and Coventry).

Khaleefa has also coached football "soccer" in the United States of America having success and gaining high praise with teams in the Sacramento area of Los Angeles.

He is also a qualified fitness trainer and has studyed life coaching

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Michael Crebbin
Physiotherapist

Michael grew up on the Isle of Wight where he played youth football and tennis to county level. He later moved to the mainland where he continued to play multiple sports whilst fulfilling academic responsibilities. He moved to London aged eighteen and studied an undergraduate degree in Sports Therapy, during which time he provided touch-line and rehabilitation support for Barnet FC. To further his academic development he went on to study a post-graduate degree in Physiotherapy at King’s College London. He graduated in 2005 and currently works in the NHS as a Senior Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist. He is also involved in on-going study and is currently undertaking a post-graduate Diploma in Orthopaedic Medicine.