Joe was formerly the Academy Manager and Head of Coaching at AFC Bournemouth, along with many other roles over his 22 years at the Premier League club, including two stints as 1st team interim manager.

Joe resurrected the Youth Team in 2001 with a programme at Brockenhurst College with limited facilities. This programme progressed players in education attainment, career pathways as well as developing them for the ‘game’, players progressed into the professional game, four players into International football and in three seasons 240+ game appearances for AFC Bournemouth, including prolific goals scorers. Players including Brett Pitman, Danny Ings, Sam Vokes, Josh McQuoid, Joe Partington, Jayden Stockley plus many more, and as important, many players who have played in the semi-professional game, both locally and further afield, including USA Scholarships.

Joe also helped many ex-players and staff on their coaching/management career, including Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall.

Wimborne Town General Manager Jimmy Glass, who worked with Joe at AFC Bournemouth, said: “We’ve been talking to Joe for a while now about the possibility of taking the role with us. I worked with him for many years and witnessed firsthand his professionalism and dedication to player development, not just on the pitch but also, and just as importantly, off it as well. His military experience and general footballing knowledge make him the perfect man to lead our newly enhanced Academy programme.

“Homegrown player development is going to play a huge role in the next few years as the club progresses, the board are keen to make the most of not only the strong grassroots youth section and development centre, but also the facilities available to us. We are fortunate here to have our fantastic 3G training pitch as well as our new classroom onsite. With 27 Academy students this season studying a Level 3 BTEC in Sport and an expected 40 in total for the 2025-26 season.

“Joe will work closely with Academy Manager Ryan Meaney, Head Tutor Sam Scott as well as Head Coach Fawzi Saadi to make sure that we can offer the very best Academy experience available outside of professional football.”

Welcome, Joe!