Stockley shifts from Academy Manager to PDP Lead in Stoke restructure

The move reunites him with Sporting Director Jon Walters, with whom he worked at Fleetwood for six months, from December 2022 to May 2023.

Stockley joined the Potters in July 2025 as Academy Manager, having previously been Sporting Director at Lexington Sporting Club in the United States for almost four years.

He will be assisted by Liam Lawrence, who led the U21s on an interim basis last season following Dave Hibbert’s departure to become First Team Set Piece Coach at Wycombe Wanderers.

Sporting Director Jon Walters welcomed Higgins’ arrival, saying: “Jack is a very important appointment for the Academy and I am delighted that he will lead that area of the club.

“Over the last few months, we have taken time to look closely at our Academy structure and how we can better support the development of young players throughout the club.

“We want every part of the football department to be connected, from recruitment to coaching to physical development. Throughout both the Academy and first team, there should be a clear understanding of what a Stoke City player looks like and the standards, values and behaviours expected of them.

“We want our technical programme, physical development and coaching methodology to align across all age groups, creating an environment that prepares players not only to progress through the Academy but ultimately to represent Stoke City in the first team.

“Jack’s experience in building productive environments, developing players and connecting Academy and first team football makes him the ideal person to lead that work. We are excited about the direction he will take the Academy and the foundations he will build for the future.”

Higgins said he was “absolutely delighted to join one of the most historic football clubs in England” and explained Stockley’s role switch.

“We believe Sam’s extensive experiences make him well placed to drive player development and support our young players across the Professional Development Phase to make the transition into senior football.”

Stoke’s PDP coaching team is completed by Dean Marney, the former Premier League midfielder who is U18s Lead, and PDP coach Andy Matthews, who has been with the Potters for eight years.

Higgins added: “It is a really exciting time and opportunity for the PDP programme, and we look forward to announcing the final details of our restructure soon, which will complement a strong coaching team of Sam, Liam, Dean and Andy.”