Who we are

Heron Junior Football Club

Heron Junior Football Club (Heron JFC), is a grassroots football club based at Heron Eccles Football Hub, Abbottshey Avenue, Liverpool, L18 7HZ.

We were founded in 2014 and we are a family and community orientated club. We are recognised by the FA & England Football as an Accredited Club (formally known as Charter Standard Club). The club is run solely by volunteers, many of whom are parents of the children who attend the club which means there is a real sense of community and everyone’s input is valued.

We offer football training to every ability as we believe football is for everyone and we will never turn any child away. All of our coaches are trained to a minimum of the FA Introduction to Football Coaching previously known as the FA Level 1 Coaching Badge. This ensures that all of our training sessions are fun and enjoyable for all and that we can help to develop your child to better understand and play the game.

We currently have 26 teams ranging from Under 5's all the way up to Under 16's. We have also branched into adult open age teams such as our men's team, Heron Nicosia, and our women’s team, Heron Phoenix Ladies. We also have girls only training and teams to ensure girls are represented within our club community.

Our Ethos

Heron Junior Football Club

At Heron Junior Football Club, since our founding in 2014 our priority has always been making football fun and safe for all involved. This is at the heart of our ethos and we will never turn any child away who wants to play football. This means it doesn’t matter if you’re new to playing football or are wanting to improve your game to the next level, we are here to help. At Heron Junior Football Club we always make every session welcoming, fun and safe.

Our Committee

Who We Are & What We Do

Chairman

Karl Dower

Karl is service manager for one of the UK's leading manufacturers of water samplers, dealing with customers across the world. Karl accepted the role of Chairman in 2023 and works to ensure all of the coaches are kept informed of club business, as well as chairing the committee. In addition to this Karl coaches an Under 13's team, and assists Steve Hurst with the Reception & Year 1 Groups.

Vice Chairman & Welfare Officer

Paul "Sid" Tidman

Sid has practiced law for 30 years, he manages an under 9’s team as well as over-seeing the under 9’s age group.

Club Secretary

James Bussell

James joined the committee in 2025 and is currently Deputy Director of Science at Natural England, the Government's adviser on nature. His Club secretary duties include: ensuring coaches training is up to date; annual affiliation of teams to the leagues; annual accreditation of the club with the FA and organize and record club meetings. He also helps to coach the development group on Saturday mornings.

Coach Development Officer

Charlie Paskouis

Charlie runs his own barber shop, Upper Cutz, which he has owned and ran for 22 years. Charlie's role within the committee is to assist and develop the coaches so we can deliver better sessions to help the children develop. In addition to his committee role Charlie coaches a mens open age group called Heron Nicosia.

Club Treasurer

Steve Hurst

Steve is a Qualified Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, currently working as a Financial Controller for a Kirkby based Environmental and Industrial Services Business. In addition to his committee role, Steve coaches the Reception and Year 1 and the Ladies Group, and the multi age boy’s development group.

Steve has Coached at the Club since its inception

Club Development Officer (Early Years)

Iain Craig

Iain is an Investment Director at a leading wealth management firm and became
involved in coaching after his son joined Heron in 2024. He joined the committee in
2025 and has a specific focus on increasing participation in the earliest age groups.
Alongside Greg, Iain is involved with the year 1 and 2 teams and assists with the
coaching of the reception group

Greg Doncaster

Greg is a Senior Lecturer in Sports Coaching and Performance working in Higher Education specialising in the analysis of sporting performance, having previously worked in a professional Football Academy. Greg has become more involved with the club since his son joined the reception group in 2023, joining the committee in 2025. Greg helps coach the reception group, as well as the year 1 and 2 age groups alongside Iain.