Curtis Joins Everton America CT

FORMER England and Manchester United defender John Curtis has joined Premiership giants Everton as their American Technical Director.

Curtis will begin his new post with Everton America CT in January and attempt to unearth a star of the future for David Moyes Premiership high fliers.

Everton America CT provide elite soccer coaching to Fairfield County for hundreds of young players.

They currently support more than 750 players from their Connecticut base. They include grassroots programs offering camps and street soccer to their junior and youth academy. They also run developmental, premier and regional teams.

The club was formed in 2003 as Coerver Premier. They provided elite-level technical training based on the famous Wiel Coerver method before Everton joined as partners in 2007.

Now the American academy mirrors the academy at Everton, focus on their roots,

developing the technical skills of players through ‘The Everton Way’ system of coaching.

Curtis will add huge experience to the Everton America CT. He has enjoyed a distinguished career in England with Manchester United, Blackburn, Leicester, Portsmouth and Nottingham Forest.

For Ray Hall, Everton’s International Ambassador and former Academy director it was a case of finally getting his man.

He said: “I have known John since he captained England Schoolboys at the U15 level and tried very hard to sign him for Everton FC at that time.

“My views of him then are the same as now; he is an enthusiastic, committed and dedicated football man. He has a playing and coaching background that includes some of the best clubs, players and coaching staff in the world”.

Curtis Brings Experience

Nick Dunbar, EACT General Manager, believes Curtis experience, knowledge and expertise will help EACT reach the next level in the club soccer world.

He added: “The appointment of John reinforces the commitment we have at EACT to provide the best soccer experience for all our players using the most qualified staff.

“John is an outstanding individual who will help ensure we continue to grow and develop whilst representing Everton FC as their only US based affiliate”.

Curtis brings vast experience to Everton CAT. He is the most capped England schoolboy of all-time and has represented England at every level, captaining the team at U15, U16, U18 and U20 level.

The 34-year-old was part of the Manchester United Treble winning squad of 1999. His teammates included Paul Scholes, Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham.  He spent five years at Manchester United, making 19 first team appearances and won the young player of the season award in his second year.

Curtis was part of the Blackburn Rovers side that secured promotion to the Premiership. He enjoyed spells at Leicester City, Portsmouth FC, Nottingham Forest and Queens Park Rangers before ending his career at Gold Coast United in Australia.

Curtis holds the prestigious A license from the English Football Association which is one of the highest coaching awards in the world.

In addition to the A license he also has certificates in youth coaching and psychology.

His coaching career has taken him from working with players at academy programs in the UK to Italy and Australia.

Curtis has held positions as a Director of Coaching for the Southport Warriors FC in Australia and was the Head Coach and Development Manager for the Genova International School of Soccer.

One of his primary responsibilities in this position was to provide a pathway for international players to the English Premier League.   Most recently John has worked with West Bromwich Albion of the English Premier League in their technical recruitment department.