26/06/2026
Eastbourne Town FC Appoints Experienced U18 Management Team
Eastbourne Town Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Jim Colston as Under-18s Manager, with Andy Corrigan joining the club as Under-18s Coach ahead of the 2025/26 Isthmian Youth League season.
The appointments represent another significant step in the club’s commitment to developing elite young footballers and strengthening the pathway from youth football into the Men’s First Team.
Jim joins The Saffrons with 33 years of experience in football coaching and talent identification, having built an outstanding reputation for developing young players at both academy and senior levels.
His career has included coaching and talent identification roles with Gillingham, Charlton Athletic, MK Dons, Luton Town, Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion, while he also spent four years as Assistant First Team Coach at Eastbourne Borough FC.
Away from club football, Jim has worked extensively as a coach educator, delivering coaching programmes internationally in New Zealand, the United States, Africa, Germany and Japan. He has also enjoyed outstanding success in schools football, winning four ESFA National School titles with two different schools, and has helped identify and develop numerous players who have progressed into the professional game.
Andy Corrigan joins Jim after working alongside him for a number of years in both school and club football. Widely regarded as one of the most dynamic young coaches in the local area, Andy brings energy, modern coaching ideas and an excellent rapport with young players. Together, Jim and Andy will work closely with the Men’s First Team, the College Academy and the U16 programme to create a seamless player pathway throughout Eastbourne Town FC.
The Under-18 programme will offer:
• Regular weekly training
• Competition in the Isthmian Youth League
• UEFA-qualified coaching
• A direct link to First Team football
• A clear development pathway for talented young players
These appointments underline Eastbourne Town FC’s ambition to become one of the leading destinations for youth development in Sussex, providing local players with every opportunity to fulfil their potential while representing The Saffrons.
Jim Colston said:
“I am absolutely delighted to be joining Eastbourne Town Football Club. From my first conversations with the club, it was clear there is a genuine ambition to build a strong pathway for young players into senior football.
“Developing young players has been my passion throughout my coaching career and I’m excited to work alongside Andy, the First Team staff, the College Academy and the U16 coaches to create an environment where players can develop technically, tactically and personally.
“Eastbourne Town is a fantastic community club with a proud history, and I’m looking forward to helping the next generation of players maximise their potential while building a successful and competitive Under-18 programme.”
Dave Shearing - Club Chairman, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Jim and Andy to Eastbourne Town FC. Jim’s pedigree and experience in youth development speak for themselves, while Andy is an exciting young coach with a fantastic future ahead of him. Together they provide an outstanding leadership team for our Under-18s and reinforce our ambition of creating one of the strongest development pathways in Sussex.
“Our vision is simple: to develop local players, support them with outstanding coaching and provide a genuine route into senior football at Eastbourne Town.”
Eastbourne Town FC warmly welcomes Jim and Andy to The Saffrons and looks forward to an exciting future under their leadership.
Trials will take place in the next two weeks and any interest please email [email protected] and this will be passed to Jim & Andy.
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