CRAIG LARGE / FOOTBALL COACH & LEADER
Lead the people.
Shape the game.
I’m Craig Large, a UEFA A-licensed coach and Academy Director at Bradford Park Avenue, where I lead recruitment and the development of the academy’s football identity.
My coaching journey began in 2001. I care about how people learn, how teams compete and whether the standards we talk about show up in our work.
Explore my coaching → · Start a conversation →
OUTPLAY · OUTRUN · OUTFIGHT
From the archive: coaching during Oldham Academy v Chadderton.
EXPERIENCE & AMBITION
Built on the training ground.
My work has taken me through player development and academy leadership at Oldham Athletic, coach development at Stockport County and now academy leadership at Bradford Park Avenue.
UEFA A Licence · Advanced Youth Award · MSc Sport Coaching
My ambition is to lead a first team at a club with a clear purpose and the commitment to build. Alongside that, I continue to develop coaches, question my own practice and explore how research can help football.
The coach
The playing principles, competitive standards and training behind Outplay, Outrun, Outfight.
The experience
The roles, responsibilities and player pathways that have shaped my thinking.
The person
Research, running and the challenges that keep me learning beyond football.
My philosophy
Clear ideas. Brave decisions. People who believe in the work.
Performance grows when standards and trust move together. I aim to build environments where players know what is asked of them, understand why it matters and have the confidence to act.
The person
More than a touchline.
Football is central to my life, but it is not the whole story. Research, endurance and a curiosity about people all shape how I coach and how I lead.
LET’S TALK
What are you working on?
A club opportunity. A coaching problem. A research question. A personal challenge. If something here connects with your work, I would like to hear your perspective.
Email - craig@craiglarge.com →