Rainford named new Brentford Academy Director

The former professional footballer played for Colchester United and Dagenham and Redbridge. He has worked for the Premier League since 2017, having previously served as Director of Sport at inner London school Barking Abbey.

He became the Premier League’s Head of Education and Academy Player Care in 2020 and led the development of the National Duty of Care provision within the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP).

Brentford Director of Football Phil Giles said: “On behalf of everyone at Brentford I’d like to welcome Dave to the club. Everyone I spoke to during the recruitment process spoke extremely highly of Dave and his work at the Premier League over recent years – he is an extremely impressive person.

“He already has good relationships with people at the club going back many years, for example he played with our B-team head coach Sam Saunders at Dagenham and Redbridge, so I’m expecting him to integrate seamlessly.

“I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank Jamie Greenwood for his outstanding work as our interim Academy director since last September. Jamie will remain an important member of the Academy as we strive towards Category One status in the future.”

Rainford, who will join Brentford in early spring 2026, added: “I’m incredibly proud and excited to be joining Brentford. The club’s culture, ambition and values strongly resonate with me, and I’m highly motivated by the opportunity to lead an Academy that embodies that identity, both on and off the pitch.

“After nearly a decade at the Premier League, helping to shape the national system and the EPPP, I’m looking forward to bringing that experience into a club environment, working closely with our aspiring players, staff and families to maximise potential and help create a world-class development programme.”

Greenwood, who had been Interim Academy Director since Torpey’s departure, will go back to his permanent role of Head of Academy Football Development.