In recent years, Richmond United Football Club (RUFC) has made a clear and deliberate push to bring some of the most respected experts in soccer coaching into the fold, reshaping the club’s development system from top to bottom.
At the center of this transformation is David Thorburn, RUFC’s Technical Director. A UEFA (A) International Licensed coach with over 30 years of professional soccer experience, Thorburn’s career has included roles as a player, coach, manager, chief scout, and agent. His work with prestigious organizations such as Glasgow Rangers, Aberdeen, and the Scottish and English Football Associations has given him a global perspective on elite player development. That knowledge now flows directly into RUFC’s day-to-day operations, offering players and coaches alike access to methods and standards usually reserved for professional academies.
Supporting this vision is Scott Guy, RUFC’s High Performance and Long-Term Player Development expert. With two decades of professional coaching experience, including time with the Scottish Football Association and Glasgow Rangers FC, Guy has focused on establishing clear pathways for young athletes. His role ensures that players are not only coached well in the moment but are prepared for each progressive step in their soccer journeys.
What sets RUFC apart, however, is the club’s belief that excellence at the top must be matched by support at the grassroots. RUFC has created a strong structure to train and mentor volunteer coaches, many of whom are parents new to the sport. Through regular practice plans, in-house education sessions, and certification opportunities, the club ensures that every coach, whether seasoned or brand new, can deliver high-quality, consistent training to players across every age group.
By combining the expertise of globally respected professionals with a hands-on, supportive approach to volunteer development, Richmond United has quietly built one of the strongest soccer coaching environments in the region. It is a system where players, regardless of their starting point, are given every opportunity to succeed—and where the standard of excellence continues to rise year after year.