OUR COMMITTEE
Meet our Committee
OUR COMMITTEE
Paul Manship
Club Chairman
An experienced Consultant in Digital Services by day, Paul brings both professional expertise and grassroots dedication to his role as Chairperson.
Having a number of years coaching and having previously managed the club’s facilities and equipment, Paul understands our operations from the ground up and is proud to still be active in the day to day at pitch side. Now at the helm, his vision is clear: to make football fun, inclusive, and rewarding for everyone.
Paul is a deeply passionate advocate for the positive power of team sports in youth development, whether it’s building confidence, strengthening social skills, or improving well-being. His focus is on ensuring the club delivers on its commitment to the children and community it serves
Matt Percival
Club Secretary
Matt is the Club Secretary for Altofts Juniors AFC and brings extensive organisational, management and project-delivery experience from his career in the construction industry.
As Secretary, Matt supports the effective administration and governance of the Club, helping to coordinate meetings, maintain accurate records, manage key communications and ensure actions are followed through. His experience of organising teams, managing competing priorities and delivering complex projects provides valuable support as the Club continues to grow and develop.
Matt has been involved with Altofts Juniors since taking over the coaching of his son’s team at Under-8s. He remains committed to helping the Club operate efficiently, communicate clearly and provide a strong foundation for its players, volunteers and future development.
Mark Hopwood
Treasurer
Mark Hopwood is the longest-serving member of the Altofts Juniors committee and currently holds dual roles as Treasurer and U16s Manager. With decades of experience, Mark has previously served in several key positions, including a successful term as Chair.
Highly respected and deeply valued by everyone at the club, Mark provides stability, insight, and guidance that have been instrumental in mentoring current committee members and shaping the club’s strong foundations and positive culture. His dedication, leadership, and long-standing commitment make him an integral part of Altofts Juniors’ continued success—both on and off the pitch.
Sarah Webber
Child Welfare Officer
Hi, I’m Sarah Webber, Child Welfare Officer at Altofts Juniors AFC. I’m responsible for safeguarding and supporting the wellbeing of our young players both on and off the pitch. With nearly 20 years of experience as a drama teacher at CAPA Juniors, I bring a deep understanding of working with young people and creating safe, nurturing environments where they can thrive.
As a mum of three, I’m passionate about helping children feel confident, valued, and supported. Outside of football, I enjoy theatre, crafting, and exploring my love for interior design.
Mike Armitage
ACSF Link
Mike Armitage is an experienced Engineering Manager in the rail industry with a strong passion for staying active and supporting his community. Away from work, Mike enjoys running, weight training, and socialising—always bringing his sense of humour into everything he does, especially when coaching.
For over 11 years, Mike has dedicated his time to coaching junior sports teams, including his own son and daughter at Altofts Juniors Football Club, where he’s known for making training sessions fun and engaging. A proud competitor in the World Coal Carrying Championship, Mike combines grit, good humour, and commitment in everything he takes on.
Andy Haigh
Assistant Treasurer
I’m Andy, an experienced Business Manager in the healthcare sector, with a focus on service development and financial growth. I aim to use my professional skills to benefit the club and support its future success. Football has been a lifelong passion—both playing and watching—and I want to share the opportunities that sport can bring with young people.
My daughter has played for Altofts Ladies and now coaches at the club, and through her involvement I’ve developed a strong interest and knowledge in the women’s game. I’m keen to see this flourish and help create more opportunities for girls in football.
My daughter has played for Altofts Ladies and currently coaches at the club and through her involvement over the years I have developed quite an interest and knowledge in the women’s game and am keen to see this flourish.
Sean Teasdale
Girls Football Development Lead
My role within the club is to lead and develop our Girls and Ladies section. We currently have three age-group teams—U15, U14, and U13—and are working to grow our Wildcats sessions, led by Grace, Vicky, and Nat, into fully established U6/U7 and U10 teams by Spring 2026.
In addition to managing the U14 Girls team, I work closely with the Leeds United Foundation to deliver school holiday camps. These camps currently focus on the girls’ section, but our goal is to expand them to include the boys’ side so that all areas of the club can benefit. I’m also involved in securing funding for Church Road through grants and lead on commercial opportunities, including advertising and sponsorship.
Lee Watson
Digital Development Officer
I’m Lee, and I’ve recently joined the committee as the club’s Digital Development Officer. I work professionally as a Business Systems Specialist, with a focus on CRM design, implementation, and management, helping organisations make better use of technology and data.
I also come from a software development background, and I’m looking forward to putting those skills to good use for the benefit of the club. My aim is to help enhance our digital presence by improving the club website, developing custom applications, and introducing technology that can make things easier for players, coaches, volunteers, and members alike.
I’m excited to support the club’s continued growth both on and off the pitch and help modernise the way we communicate and operate.
