Chris Brown appointed at Jebel Ali International Centre of Excellence

Chris proved to be a successful youth footballer while growing up in his home town of Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, England. He represented Bucks schoolboys along with Chelsea, Luton Town and Crewe Alexandra at youth level, and also won the prestigious ''Bobby Charlton Soccer Skills'' final at Old Trafford - the same competition won by David Beckham on his way to become one of the world's most famous football stars.

He eventually signed an YTS scholarship with Crewe Alexandra before signing professionally at the age of 18. Shortly into his career Chris suffered a knee injury followed by an operation which forced him to retire prematurely at the age of 20. He embarked on a coaching career after being awarded the UEFA Level 2 Certificate with "MK Mini Soccer" in England, before gaining experience playing and coaching in Australia. After moving to Dubai in 2004, he took up a position with E- Sports where he has gained an excellent local reputation with expatriate and local children alike.

Chris is very excited about the possibilities for youth football coaching at the Sports Academy:

"This is a great opportunity for me to work for a progressive team of coaches in a fantastic facility that will take youth coaching to a new level in Dubai,"

said Chris after his first days at the Centre of Excellence.

Chris will be reporting to Mick Leonard, Academy Director of the Sports Academy at the Centre of Excellence. Mick has made more than 500 first team appearances for Notts County FC and Chesterfield FC during his playing days and was the National Goalkeeping Coach of the New Zealand Football Association in addition to being Head Coach of the New Zealand Women's National Team.

Mick's football qualifications include the FA Advanced Coaching Licence/UEFA 'A' Coaching Award, FA Advanced Goalkeeping Licence/UEFA 'A' Goalkeeping Coaching Award, FA Diploma in Treatment and Management of Sports Injuries and FIFA Goalkeeping Certificate. He also has an English Football Association Advanced Coaching Licence and completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Sports and Recreational Management.

The Sports Academy at the Jebel Ali International Centre of Excellence was created under the watchful eye of My Sports, run by two legendary footballers Viv Anderson and Tony Woodcock. The academy comprises two football pitches of international standard along with associated changing facilities and equipment. The Centre of Excellence will run a Football Academy for youngsters from September 2006 onwards.