Florida Roots FC Announces Head Coach for NPSL U19 and Men’s First Team Seasons
Florida Roots FC is pleased to announce that Technical Director Richard Kinniburgh will be stepping up into the role of head coach for the upcoming NPSL U19’s and men’s first team seasons. Helping lead the U19s to the league title in the fall of 2021, Kinniburgh has already had an impact across the club since his arrival in August 2021.
“Coach Rich has impressed since his original appointment as technical director and the club is lucky to have him,” President of Florida Roots Jonathan Hammond said. “His tactical knowledge aided the U19s in their victories this fall and winning that inaugural tournament is a strong indication of what will be possible during his tenure. The NPSL is an excellent opportunity for players locally and across the world to showcase their talents and under Coach Rich’s management they will be pushed hard and developed. This appointment is a significant statement about the ambitions of Florida Roots and the players he has recruited to join the squad already has generated excitement about what is to come.”
Kinniburgh is a UEFA B qualified coach who has completed the UEFA A coaching course with the exam scheduled for 2022. Starting his coaching career in the U.K. military soccer with RAF Shawbury and MOD Boscombe Down, he transitioned to the professional game through the Gibraltar National Team and Bruno’s Magpies in the Gibraltar Premier League as an assistant manager. After earning a master’s degree in Football Management from the Johan Cruyff Institute for Sport in Barcelona, he returned to military soccer as the manager of RAF Coninsgby, leading that team to three trophies. He was also concurrently appointed as the lead coach for Sleaford Town Football Club in Step 5 of English soccer.
Arriving in the U.S. in August 2021, Kinniburgh began his role as the technical director with Florida Roots. He jointly led the NPSL U19’s team to victory in the inaugural season alongside Hammond.
“This appointment is a fantastic opportunity, and I am truly humbled to be given this position within a club that is very special,” Kinniburgh said. “My personal thanks go to Jonathan Hammond for giving me this tremendous opportunity. I will be joined by a mix of former and newly appointed coaches, all of whom bring special qualities and experiences which the players will enjoy.”
Tryouts for the U19 squad will take place at Pete Edwards Field in Panama City on February 5th from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm. Tryouts for the NPSL squad will take place on February 20th at the Panama City Sports Complex from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Players can register for the events on the Florida Roots Facebook page.
Photo Credit: Kim Colley
