After completing his GCSEs at West Craven, Tom progressed to Nelson and Colne College to study a BTEC in Sports and Exercise Science before moving on to Leeds Beckett University to complete a degree in Sports Coaching. Tom, who attended Gisburn Road Primary School in Barnoldswick before West Craven, said: “PE lessons and lunchtimes playing football on the fields with my friends are my best memories of my time at secondary school. While I was at West Craven, I gained a good quality education and developed my sporting abilities through the extra curricular programme available to students. I learnt to thrive socially in new and challenging settings which meant that I was ready for anything thrown at me when I progressed to college.” 

After completing his degree, Tom began working at Burnley FC in the Community as a Football Development Officer. He combines this with working as an Academy Football Coach at Bolton Wanderers FC. Tom added: “These roles are giving me great experience in a football setting and will hopefully help me to progress to my dream role working full-time in professional football. 

“I made the most of the extra-curricular opportunities available to me at West Craven and I would urge all current students to enjoy their time at school, have fun but make sure you work hard enough to secure the best opportunities available in the future.”