A former University of Worcester student is preparing for the 2025–26 season as AFC Wimbledon’s Director of Football, having helped guide the club to promotion via the League Two play-offs.
Photo Credit: KontentHaus/AFC Wimbledon
Craig Cope, 32, has been the youngest Director of Football in the English Football League since joining the club at the age of 29, having previously worked at Cheltenham Town, Nottingham Forest, and Birmingham City.
He has been reflecting on his time at the University of Worcester where he studied Sports Coaching and Development, graduating in 2014.
“I actually started my career while I was at university,” said Craig. “My lecturer ran a workshop over the summer where I did performance analysis. We had speakers come in to talk about it and I decided analysis was the way for me to go.”
He continued: “I got an interview at Birmingham City FC and they gave me a voluntary job with their under-10s; I remember seeing a young Jude Bellingham there who scored ten goals in a game!”
He added: “In my third year I was Head of Analysis at Cheltenham Town while still studying. After that I did my postgraduate study and worked at various clubs before coming to Wimbledon.”
Last week (26 May) AFC Wimbledon secured promotion to League One in a 1-0 victory over Walsall at Wembley Stadium.
Craig said: “If you could have asked me the one thing I wanted out of life when I was a kid, it would have been to be on the pitch at Wembley, with a trophy, in front of 30,000 of our fans!”
He went on: “My family was there, my dad was with me in the Royal Box, it was the best day of my life to celebrate with everyone. Wimbledon is a fantastic club, and to be the Director of Football and build this squad over the last three years is a real honour.”
He added: “I just want to go and do it again now!”
Thinking back to his studies, Craig has advice for students looking to enter the world of professional sports.
“It’s all about what you put into it,” he said. “The University is a fantastic support, but in life, you’ve got to go and get what you want, go and volunteer your time, get the experience, and find the opportunities.”
For information on courses at the University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries, telephone 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk