David Pipe:
Essex Academy
From TV production to UEFA A coach and Arsenal Women’s U21s assistant, David has built a thriving We Make Footballers academy in Essex – now coaching over 300 players with an 80% renewal rate.
From TV industry to touchline
David spent most of his twenties working full time in the TV industry. Football was always there in the background, but as a fan and occasional coach rather than a career. That changed in 2013, when a severe medical setback forced him to re–evaluate everything.
Several years of treatment and regular hospital consultations followed. When he was finally discharged in November 2017, he decided that if he was going to start again, it had to be in football. With the all-clear came the confidence to turn a long–held passion into his day job.
He purchased the We Make Footballers Essex franchise in September 2018. Starting with just 16 students in his first month and a Talent ID launch event that attracted over 120 players and parents, David set out to build an academy that would serve the whole county.
Today, We Make Footballers North Dagenham, Upminster and Harold Hill runs sessions across multiple venues – from Harold Hill and Gallows Corner to Romford and Upminster – giving hundreds of young players a place to train every week.
From setback to high-performance coach
David is more than a franchise owner - he is one of the most highly qualified coaches in the We Make Footballers network. He holds a UEFA A Licence and the FA Advanced Youth Award (Level 4), reflecting years of study and on–pitch experience at professional clubs.
Alongside running We Make Footballers Essex, he has coached in professional environments at Millwall and Colchester United, led the U19s at Dagenham & Redbridge, worked as an academy coach at Leyton Orient and served as U21s coach and interim Head Coach at Tottenham Hotspur Women. He is currently the U21s assistant coach at Arsenal Women, preparing some of the country’s best young players for first–team football.
Within We Make Footballers nationally, David has also served as Head of Coaching – helping to design, implement and maintain the coaching philosophy and weekly session content used by over 150 coaches and more than 2,000 children every week across all franchises.
Measuring success beyond the numbers
Every player David works with has a different story, but a few key figures show the scale and consistency of what he has built in Essex.
ACTIVE STUDENTS
Average renewal rate
Launch event attendees
customers voted training as 'excellent'
How David built his football coaching franchise
Pre-2013
David works full time in the TV industry while coaching around his job, building early experience with players at different levels.
2013–2017
A severe medical setback forces David to step back and spend several years in and out of hospital. In November 2017 he is discharged from regular consultations, determined to make football his full–time profession.
2018
With support from head office on territory selection, venues and finance, David purchases the Essex franchise in September 2018. The academy opens with 16 students and a Talent ID event with 120+ attendees.
2018–2021
Alongside growing Essex, David coaches at Dagenham & Redbridge and Leyton Orient, gaining further experience in the professional boys’ game.
2021–2022
David joins Spurs Women as U21s assistant and later interim Head Coach, helping players bridge the gap to WSL first–team football.
2019–2023
Within WMF, David becomes Head of Coaching, shaping the national syllabus and CPD for more than 150 coaches.
2022–present
He joins Arsenal Women as U21s assistant coach while continuing to run We Make Footballers Essex, which now serves over 300 players with an 80% renewal rate.
A day in the life of a football coach
Between pro-club responsibilities and grassroots development, David’s week combines high-performance coaching with running a local business.
Planning sessions and supporting coaches
Mornings are often spent planning the evening’s sessions across Essex – checking bookings, reviewing player notes and ensuring every group has a clear focus. With his Head of Coaching experience, David also supports his coaching team, sharing ideas, mentoring newer coaches and making sure each venue has the staff and equipment it needs.
From academy pitches to the professional game
Afternoons and evenings are a mix of WMF sessions and work at Arsenal Women. On WMF nights he is greeting families, delivering high-tempo sessions and talking with parents about their child’s progress. On Arsenal nights he is fine–tuning tactics and individual development plans for elite U21s. The environments are different, but the aim is the same – helping every player, at every level, take their next step.
“After my illness I promised myself that, if I got the chance, I would spend my time doing something that really mattered to me. Coaching and running We Make Footballers IN Essex has given me that.
Whether it’s a four-year-old kicking a ball for the first time or an academy player chasing a contract, helping them progress is what drives me every day.”
North Dagenham, Upminster and Harold Hill
Ready to start your football coaching adventure?
David’s story shows how a clear system and strong support can turn a big life change into a successful football business. Whether you are already coaching or looking for a new direction, a We Make Footballers franchise can help you build a sustainable academy in your own community.
