Derby County can confirm several structural and personnel changes in the Men’s Category One Academy ahead of the 2025/26 season.
With support and approval from the Board of Directors and Men’s First Team Head Coach John Eustace, the new campaign will see the club introduce a B Team model which will serve as an extension to the First Team environment, following several months of planning.
Academy Manager Matt Hale said: “This innovative concept will provide a base for our high-potential Academy players to get game time alongside and against senior footballers, with a key aim of bringing the First Team methodology closer to the Academy, ensuring enhanced experiences and opportunities for every player within the Professional Development Phase.”
The Rams’ B Team will participate in the Central League and Derbyshire Senior Cup, alongside playing a number of elite senior friendly fixtures, while the Under-21s will continue to compete in Premier League 2 and the Premier League Cup.
Keith Briggs will move into the newly created role as B Team Lead Coach, which will see him manage the group throughout its new programme of fixtures, while nurturing the club’s best young players to ensure they perform the key principles and skills required by the First Team. Briggs has been a key member of the Academy’s coaching staff in recent seasons as part of the Under-21s’ coaching team.
The following additional personnel changes will come into effect ahead of the 2025/26 season:
Keith Gilroy is joining the club as Head of Academy Coaching.
Gilroy has a wealth of experience within academy football - including at Derby County earlier in his coaching career - and arrives from Burton Albion, where he served as Lead Professional Development Phase Coach, Head of Coaching and most recently Academy Manager.
Jake Buxton will move into a new role as Senior Transition Coach.
The former Derby defender worked extensively with the First Team during the latter stages of the 2024/25 campaign and his new role will see him concentrate on individual player development with First Team players and also high-potential Academy players who are making the transition into the senior environment.
Danny Maye has been promoted to the role of Senior Professional Development Phase Coach.
Maye - who has served as Lead Under-18 Coach since his arrival in August 2023 - will oversee the club’s Under-17s and Under-18s programme, while also leading the Under-21s programme, including their fixtures in Premier League 2 and the Premier League Cup alongside further duties associated with his role.
Bradley Johnson has been promoted to the role of Lead Under-18 Coach.
The 2024/25 campaign was the former midfielder’s first season as a full-time coach with the Under-18s and he will now lead a promising group of players into their upcoming campaign in Premier League - North, the Premier League Cup and the prestigious FA Youth Cup.
