Staff & Board
Meet The Team
chief executive
Leigh O'Connor
Chief Executive & Senior Safeguarding Lead
Leigh started with Middlesex FA in 2000 as a Membership Services Assistant and in April 2017 was appointed to the role of Chief Executive.
In his role, Leigh is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Association and delivering the priorities and targets of the Associations's Strategy.
Phone: 020 8515 1925
Email: safeguarding@middlesexfa.com
Football services team
Kayleigh saunders
Head of Football Services & Deputy Safeguarding Lead
Kayleigh has been with the Association since June 2012 working as a Football Development Officer before being promoted into her current role as Head of Football Services in September 2017.
Her main responsibilities include leading the Football Services team to govern the game in Middlesex, overseeing Safeguarding, Discipline, County Cups, Affiliation and Sanctioning.
Phone: 020 8515 6904 or 07506 282963
Email: discipline@middlesexfa.com & safeguarding@middlesexfa.com
Spencer Stone
Football Services Administrator
Phone: 020 8515 6903
Samantha Read
Football Services Officer (Clubs and Leagues)
Samantha joined Middlesex FA in August 2017. Moving to the Football Services Team in February 2018, her main duties are supporting the Clubs and Leagues with their administration, leading on Player Registration and usage of the FA Systems as well as administering the County Cup Programme, including a lead role on the Cup Finals.
Outside of work, Samantha plays both football and American Football for local sides.
Phone: 020 8515 6905
Daniel May
Workforce Development Officer
Daniel joined Middlesex FA in April 2018 as Football Services Administrator. In February 2020 he took up the role of Workforce Development Officer.
Daniel is responsible for Referee Development in the County, focussing on the recruitment, conversion, retention and development of its match officials. In addition, he is the staff lead for the Middlesex FA Youth Council and volunteer opportunities within Middlesex.
He’s retired from 11v11 football but is a cat in goal in his weekly 6-a-side league.
Phone: 020 8515 6910
Operations team
George Wells
Head of Commercial & Operations
I originally joined Middlesex FA in 2008 as an Administrator having graduated from Davenport University, Michigan. I spent a year in that role before becoming Office Manager and PA to the CEO, Peter Clayton. Since then, I worked at The Football Association in the National Game and Marketing departments for four years followed by holding the role of Operations Manager/Acting CEO at Hertfordshire FA from 2014-19. I returned to Middlesex FA in January 2019.
As Head of Commercial and Operations, I’m responsible for the facility business plan, commercial strategy and overseeing our marketing and communications strategy. My role oversees the two separate sides to our business, Middlesex FA and Middlesex Community Football Centres.
In my spare time I also coach for Arsenal Women’s Academy and enjoy spending time with my wife and two sons. I once held the role of Opening Ceremony Coordinator at the 2011 Champions League Final at Wembley Stadium between Barcelona and Manchester United.
Phone: 020 8515 6901 or 07722 142290
Email: marketing@middlesexfa.com
Jacob Ballheimer
Communications & Marketing Officer
Jacob started work with Middlesex FA in November 2015 holding a number of roles within the organisation, currently occupying the role of Communications & Marketing Officer.
Jacob works closely with all in the Middlesex FA team, supporting them with their communication and marketing needs, maintaining the business's website & social media channels. He also works closely with Samantha to support the delivery of the County Cup Finals programme, he also leads on the Annual Grassroots Football Awards.
Outside of the office, Jacob plays in goal for Harefield United's First Team and is a Level 7 Referee.
Phone: 020 8515 1921
Email: marketing@middlesexfa.com
Josh Harnett
Business Operations Administrator
Josh started work with Middlesex FA in November 2021 under his role as Business Operations Administrator.
Josh’s main roles consist of working alongside the Rectory Park Facility Team, being responsible for all their marketing and operational tasks. Josh also assists Jacob and George in their Marcomms team to ensure fluidity between MFA and Rectory Park.
Outside of work Josh also works as a Hospitality Host and Supervisor at Wimbledon Championships, Arsenal F.C., Wembley Stadium and West Ham United
Phone: 020 8515 6908
Participation and Development team
Katie Phillipson
Head of Participation & Development
Katie joined the Association in April 2018 as Workforce Development Officer before being appointed in her current role in October 2019.
Her main responsibilities include Facility & Investment Lead, Strategic Lead for Women’s & Girls’ Football and managing and supporting the Participation & Development team.
Outside of the office, Katie is a grassroots coach, player and FA Coach Developer.
Phone: 020 8515 1927 or 07739 984024
Email: development@middlesexfa.comPaul Sharpe
Coach Development Officer
Paul joined Middlesex FA in July 2005 and as Coach Development Officer he is now responsible for the support & development of the coaches in the County and leads on ensuring the Association’s member clubs meet the standards on & off the pitch through the England Football Accreditation programme.
Outside the office, Paul is a Luton Town season ticket holder and a coach with a local ladies team.
Phone: 020 8515 1923
Email: development@middlesexfa.com
Andrew Perren
Participation Development Officer
Andy has been with Middlesex FA since August 2008 and worked as the Association's Recreational Football Development Officer until February 2018 when he assumed the role of Centre Manager for the Association's new HQ, Rectory Park, in April 2022, Andrew moved back into the Development Team, and took up the role of Participation Development Officer.
In this role, Andy's main responsibility is to develop, manage and monitor local development and delivery with all partners.
Phone: 020 8515 1911
Email: development@middlesexfa.com
Lauren Mawdsley
Inclusion Development Officer
Lauren joined Middlesex FA in June 2020 as the Disability Development Officer before taking on a new role as Inclusion Officer from September 2020.
Her role involves developing, managing and monitoring all disability provision and programmes across the county in addition to ensuring equality, diversity and inclusion is at the forefront of the work we do.
Outside of work, Lauren is a qualified Personal Trainer and helps others to lead healthy, active lifestyles.
Phone: 020 8515 1920
Email: development@middlesexfa.com
Sian Osmond
Womens Recreational Football Officer
Sian started working for Middlesex FA in February 2021 as a Women’s Recreational Football Officer.
Sian’s role is linked to the build up to the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Competition with the aim of growing the offering of women’s recreational football across Brent, Ealing & Hounslow as the host boroughs for the tournament.
Outside of work, Sian is a UEFA A coach and coaches FAWNL team London Bees.
Phone: 020 8515 1912
Email: development@middlesexfa.com
rectory park team
Peter Kakouris
Duty Manager - Hospitality & Events
Peter started working here at Rectory Park in August 2018 undertaking the role of Duty Manager, as well as taking the lead in Kitchen Management; Peter has vast amounts of experience in catering and is using these skills to run our Cafe/Bar area. He has also taken a lead on functions held in the centre.
Email: rectorypark@middlesexfa.com
Phone: 020 8515 1919 Opt.1
Szymon Stachowicz
Duty Manager - Facility Maintenance
Email: rectorypark@middlesexfa.com
Phone: 020 8515 1919 Opt.1
Board and Council
The Board and Council is made up of volunteers, either previously or currently involved in grassroots football, who work alongside Middlesex FA staff to deliver the mission of developing, supporting and governing football in Middlesex. Need to contact one of them? Details of how to do this can be found in our e-handbook.
John Taylor (Chairman)
Doug Douglas (Vice Chairman)
Steve Grover (Finance Director)
Barbara Bivens
Mike Heavey
Nigel Hickes
Bob Elliott
Derek Mennell
Andrew Morton
Chris Ampofo
John Davies
Leigh O'Connor (Company Secretary)
John Davies ( President)
John Taylor (Chairman)
Doug Douglas (Vice Chairman)
Leigh O'Connor (Chief Executive)
Steve Grover (Finance Director)
Derek Mennell
Jim Taylor
Harry Wooster
Peter Clayton
Colin Stupack
Paul Stevens
Graham Hiseman
Bob Jarvis
Robin Jagot
Nigel Hickes
Robin Filkins
Mike Heavey
Bob Elliott
John Smith
Tony Ward
Barbara Bivens
Colin Downey
John Jackson
Mark Sennett
Gary Cobden
Dave Ackerman
Pip Axtell
Stephen Reuter
Andy Lowe
Derek Stevens
Gary Street
Darrel Gyngell
Simon Cudner
Andy Taylor
Liam Walshe
Annette Sennett
Segun Akinwolelda
Dave Fuller
Frank James
Dr Colin King
Andrew Morton
Danny Sharma
John Noblemunn
Chris Ampofo
Alyson Angelides
Co-opted Councillors
Judi Grice
John Lewis
Co-opted /Independent Members of Committees and Sub Committees
Gill Taylor
Jim Upfold
Jim Bragg
John Fletcher
Claire Ford
Jim Cantle
Dave Holden
Louise Allwood
Caren Benn
Chris Benn
Julie Syer
Ray Herb
Robert Was
Mitchell Payne