Tommy Wilson

Tommy Wilson
Game Changing Soccer Professional

Tommy Wilson is a British former professional soccer player and current world-class soccer coaching and administrative professional. He is currently serving as Technical Director with Charlotte FC of Major League Soccer.

ABOUT

Tommy began his soccer career at one of Britain’s most storied clubs Queens Park FC (QPFC), which plays at the National Stadium, Hampden Park. At the same time, he was pursuing a formal engineering profession with Caterpillar Tractor Company which led to a Diploma in Mechanical and Production Engineering. In 1981 Tommy elected to pursue soccer as his career choice and made his QPFC 1^st team debut that year.

In the summer of 1982 Tommy signed for St. Mirren in the Scottish Premier league and spent the next seven years there, most notably winning the Scottish FA Cup in 1987.

It was towards the end of his time at St. Mirren that he began his coaching journey, qualifying with a UEFA B license. His playing career continued at Dunfermline Athletic, Heart of Midlothian, Kilmarnock FC and Dumbarton FC. By the end of his playing career, he had played in over 300 Premier League games. Simultaneously, Tommy gained additional coaching awards and in 1992 was awarded the UEFA A license.

Determined to now make coaching his vocation, Tommy was appointed Scottish FA Football Development Officer for Glasgow in 1994, a role he kept for 6 years. Tommy’s achievements were acknowledged when he was promoted to Scottish FA Head of Children’s (Youth) Development in 2000.

By 2004 Tommy had been promoted again to the role of Head of Coaching Education a role he combined with National Youth Team Coach under the guidance initially of world-famous German Player and Coach, Berti Vogts and subsequentially, Walter Smith. In his coaching education role Tommy worked closely with UEFA to develop and enhance the world-renowned Scottish FA UEFA Pro Licence Diploma and at the same time, working with Archie Gemmill, steered the U19 national team to the final of the 2006 UEFA U19 final, losing 2-1 to Spain in the final.

In 2006 Tommy left the Scottish FA to join Rangers FC as Academy Technical Director a role he combined with U 20 National Team Coach. In 2007 Tommy and Archie led Scotland in the U20 World Cup in Canada. Wilson was subsequently promoted to Reserve team coach at Rangers in 2008 winning the Scottish Reserve league in 2013.

Tommy’s achievements once more were attracting attention and in 2013 he joined MLS club Philadelphia Union as its first Academy Director. Tommy’s desire to develop continued in the USA and id 2017 he gained the US Soccer Academy Director’s Diploma. With the sale of Brendan Aaronson and Mark McKenzie to European clubs and Union academy acknowledged as one of MLS best, Tommy was subsequently promoted to Director of Academy and Professional Development in 2021.

In 2024, Tommy was hired as Technical Director of MLS’ Charlotte FC, where he currently resides.

Throughout this journey, Tommy has been sought out by many groups and organizations to share his insights and philosophies. This inclldes UEFA, AEFCA, numerous Football Associations, Aspire – Qatar and MLS. He has also been invited to view and study world famous clubs in every continent including Barcelona BVB Dortmund, and Ajax Amsterdam.

Tommy’s Work

Tommy Wilson is a goal oriented, highly respected professional in player and coach development with demonstrated leadership skills. He has a strong portfolio of achievements and extensive experience in multi-disciplinary environments. Wilson is a reliable leader who thinks critically, communicates effectively, and executes under pressure to deliver high quality work. Tommy is known to operate with a high level of integrity and is commitment to excellence.

Consulting & Services

Essentially these services begin and end with the player at the center of the bullseye. This holistic approach covers all aspects of development including but not limited to: Player Development, Club Development, Player Recruitment, Building a Game Model, Training Methodology and Playing Style, Coach Development, Club Culture Identity and Environment, Community Involvement and Engagement, Innovation in Soccer.

Player Development

All aspects of player development from grassroots to senior professional are achievable. This will include individually tailored plans focusing on technical training, tactical training, position specific work, group training, IDPs, player transition plans and strategies.

Club Development

Are you aiming to build run and maintain a successful and sustainable club? Beginning with the creation of a business plan, club structure including academy, considering infrastructure and facilities. Devise a management structure and advisory board.

Player Recruitment

How to identify, attract, retain and develop talent. Using club’s values and identity to create player profiles which inform scouting process. Devise a scouting structure that can be national, international or local depending upon resources. Create reporting mechanisms and data bases that accurately and effectively maintain the process.

Building a Game Model

How do you want your teams to play? What identity do you want in and out of possession, what about transition? Are you seeking solutions in these areas?

Training Methodology and Playing Style

Having devised a Game Model can you train your players to exemplify this? Learn how to maximize the effectiveness of training that enables you and your players to display the concepts and principles that reveal your club’s identity.

Coach Development

Arguably, the most important people in the club are the coaches. Their influence on your players can be profound. Ensuring they are motivated developed and educated is a critical piece of the jigsaw. Everyone acknowledges that a pathway for players is important but surely the same should apply to the coaches?

Club Culture, Identity and Environment

If you don’t create the culture, it creates itself. If culture, identity and environment is important then le an environment let’s build it together. Create an identity and environment that is conducive to and indeed accelerates development.

Community Involvement and Engagement

Does your club wish to engage with the wider local community? Establish a strategy to ensure that the club becomes an active and integrated member of your local area

Innovation in Soccer

What does the game of the future look like? How do you stay ahead of rivals and create a competitive environment? By embracing innovation you can gain this edge.

Testimonials

“Tommy and I played together in the Scottish Premier League and from then until now we have shared an interest and passion for the game. Although our careers have taken us in different directions we remain in touch and I’ve kept a close eye on his work and the outstanding success he has achieved both in Scotland and in the USA. It’s clear he is an expert in Player Development.”

David Moyes , Manager West Ham FC

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“Tommy Wilson helped me turn a dream into reality. He gave me the opportunity and believed in me when I was undersized and overwhelmed. Tommy was instrumental in my development as a youth soccer player and prepared me to become a professional soccer player. He always made me feel I had a chance and that was very important in my development as a player. I consider Tommy a good friend and someone I will always stay in touch with.”

Brenden Aaronsen – Leeds United FC , Union Berlin (loan) & US National Team

“Tommy was very influential in my career, particularly in my academy days. His experience as a player and coach at the highest level provided me with direct insight into what the life of a professional looked like and what it took to get there. On a daily basis he demanded more from me on the pitch and in turn, taught me how to demand more of myself to reach my aspirations of playing in Europe and the national team. Thank you, Tommy, for taking a chance on a kid coming off a broken ankle and believing in the potential I had in me.”

Mark McKenzie – K.R.C. Genk & US National Team

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“Tommy was always passionate, and always shared wisdom, as well as insight that was super useful. As well as being someone I could always go to with any concerns or if I just needed to talk. Tommy always looked after me and my brother like we were one of his own, he played a huge part in our development and success at youth stages, and always guided me in the right direction.”

Paxten Aaronsen – Eintracht Frankfurt & US National Team

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