meet the team

meet the team experience with passion

At P.A.S.S., our coaching team is built on experience, passion and a genuine love for developing players both on and off the pitch. Every member of our staff is FA qualified, CRB cleared, and First Aid qualified, ensuring a safe, professional, and supportive environment for all players. What truly sets us apart, however, is the wealth of real world football experience that underpins everything we do.

P.A.S.S. was founded in 2002 by Lee Honeywood and Rob Pithers, two coaches whose combined knowledge of the game spans professional playing, elite-level scouting and decades of hands-on coaching across all age groups.

Together, Lee and Rob lead a committed coaching team that shares the same philosophy: develop the player, inspire confidence and create pathways for success. Their leadership continues to shape a culture where standards are high, detail matters, and every player is given the opportunity to reach their potential.

a wealth of real world experience

fa qualified and crb cleared

founded in 2002

lee honeywood

Lee began his football journey as a professional player with Ipswich Town FC, where he spent six years before representing England U18s. A serious knee injury sadly cut his playing career short, but it marked the beginning of an exceptional coaching and scouting pathway. Lee went on to coach the Ipswich Town U14 Academy for three seasons, supporting young players on their journey towards scholarships and professional contracts. With over 20 years’ experience in football scouting, including 10 years with Chelsea FC as a Premier League scout and 15 years with Ipswich Town, Lee has built an extensive domestic and international scouting network that continues to benefit P.A.S.S. players today.

Nickname

Honey

Clubs

Arsenal Youth, Ipswich Town FC and England U18

Honours

Ipswich Town Pro 1987-1994

Chelsea FC Premier League Scout 2002-2012

Ipswich Town Scout 2010-2025

150+ academy players signed across multiple pro clubs

25+ years experience as a P.A.S.S. Scout

Playing style

Technical midfielder / Attacking full back

Boots

Adidas Copa Mundial / World Cup

Superstitions

Too many to mention

Supports

Ipswich Town FC

Favourite Player
Bertie Honeywood

adidas copa mundial

rob pithers

Rob, alongside Lee, has been a driving force behind P.A.S.S. since day one and remains Head Coach and Director. With 25+ years of coaching experience, Rob brings outstanding knowledge of the game across all levels from grassroots and youth football through to first-team environments. In addition to traditional football, Rob has extensive experience coaching Futsal, adding another dimension to player development. His passion, energy, and attention to detail shine through in every session and have helped many P.A.S.S. players progress to exciting opportunities within the game.

playing style tiki taka

Nickname

Piths

Clubs

Maldon, Witham, Burnham and Millwall Youth

Honours

Worked alongside Terry Venables, Ray Wilkins and Ray Clemence
Promoted as 1st team coach at Witham Town

150+ ccademy players signed across multiple pro clubs

25+ years experience as a P.A.S.S. coach

Playing style

Tiki Taka

Boots

Adidas predators/ Copa Mundial’s

Superstitions

None with sport

Supports

Liverpool

Favourite Player

Steven Gerrard

scott mitchell

Scott brings a wealth of experience from both academy and professional first-team football, having played for Dagenham & Redbridge before establishing himself as a key figure at Haringey Borough, where he has made over 275 appearances across nine seasons. His performances earned him a call-up to the England C squad in 2019. With over 10 years of coaching experience, Scott adds strong technical knowledge, professionalism, and valuable insight to the P.A.S.S. coaching team.

Nicknames

Scotty, Mitch, Dave or Spidey

Clubs

Dagenham & Redbridge, Haringey Borough and England C

Honours

Isthmian North Play Off Winners
1 England C Cap
FA Cup First Round vs AFC Wimbledon

275+ appearance at Step 3/4 of Non-League

10+ years coaching experience

Playing style

Old school centre half

Boots

Black Nike Tiempo

Superstitions

Way too many to mention

Supports

West Ham

Favourite Player

Mats Hummels

steve ireton

Steve is one of the longest-serving members of the P.A.S.S. team, having been involved since our very beginning in 2002. With over 20 years of coaching experience, Steve has worked with players of all ages from as young as four years old through to adults. His knowledge, consistency, and dedication make him a hugely valued and respected member of the P.A.S.S. family. His long-standing presence reflects the values, standards and identity that define P.A.S.S.

Nicknames

Irets or Gaffer

Clubs

Chelmsford League Reps, Brentwood Basildon District, Sandon Royals’ Men’s, Ongar FC, Meadow Youth and Kelvedon Hatch Youth

Honours

A valued P.A.S.S. coach since 2002

20+ years coaching experience

Playing style

Centre Half or Centre Mid

Reading the game and organising

Boots

Adidas predators

Superstitions

Always put shirt on last and captain’s armband on left arm for match winning performance

Supports

Arsenal

Favourite Player

Thierry Henry and Tony Adams

alfie cutbush

Alfie has been a PASS coach for over three years, bringing strong technical knowledge and first-hand professional experience. He spent much of his youth career at Ipswich Town, where he went on to sign professional terms before suffering two ACL injuries. Alfie has since completed his UEFA B coaching qualification and continues to apply his experience both as a P.A.S.S. coach and as a player, currently with Herne Bay FC, having previously represented Heybridge Swifts.

Nicknames

Alf or Cuts

Clubs

Ipswich Town, Concord Rangers, Heybridge Swifts and Herne Bay

Honours

Ipswich Town Scholar
Ipswich Town Pro

3+ years P.A.S.S. coaching experience

Playing style

Box to box midfielder

Boots

Nike Phantoms and Adidas X’s

Superstitions

None

Supports

West Ham

Favourite Player

Mark Noble

jamie bennett

Jamie adds enthusiasm and positivity to the coaching team, having been with P.A.S.S. for just over two years. He developed through the Ipswich Town Academy before progressing into Sudbury’s college programme, where he won the National College Championships. Jamie is currently playing for Stanway Rovers, following their Essex Senior League title win in the 2024/25 season and brings a strong competitive mindset to his coaching on and off the pitch daily at P.A.S.S.

Nicknames

Jay or Benno

Clubs

Ipswich Town, Sudbury and Stanway Rovers

Honours

College National Champions
Essex Senior League Champion 24/25

2+ years P.A.S.S.coaching experience

Playing style

Attacking Winger

Boots

Nike Phantoms

Superstitions

None

Supports

Arsenal

Favourite Player

Mesut Ozil

elliot wright

Elliot developed his footballing knowledge during an impressive 10 year spell in the Arsenal Academy, representing the club from a young age through to U18 level. During this time, he also earned three caps for the England U17 National Team. Elliot has been a P.A.S.S. coach for over 10 years, bringing experience, consistency and a deep understanding across all areas of our coaching programmes. His calm approach and attention to detail help players maximise their potential.

Nicknames

Ell or Wrighty

Clubs

Chelmsford City, Arsenal, Waltham Abbey and Bishops Stortford

Honours

Arsenal Scholarship
3 England U17 Caps

10+ years P.A.S.S. coaching experience

Playing style

Ball playing Centre Half

Boots

Adidas Predator

Superstitions

None

Supports

Arsenal

Favourite Player

Thierry Henry

abbi smith

Abbi brings energy, professionalism, and a modern approach to the P.A.S.S. team. Having previously been part of the Arsenal Academy and most recently Ipswich Town, she is now captain of Billericay Town First Team. Abbi has been coaching with P.A.S.S. for over two years and is a fantastic role model, sharing her experience of the women’s game at both academy and first-team level. She sets high standards within sessions and inspires confidence in the players she works with.

Nickname

Abs

Clubs

Arsenal, Ipswich Town and Billericay Town

Honours

Captain at Arsenal Ladies

2+ years P.A.S.S. coaching experience

Playing style

Attacking midfielder

Boots

Adidas Predator

Superstitions

Having hair in the same style for all games

Supports

Tottenham Hotspurs

Favourite Player

Jack Grealish

sam cornish

Sam has been a P.A.S.S. coach for four years, following the conclusion of his professional contract with Colchester United. He progressed through Colchester’s academy system all the way to first-team football, giving him valuable insight into the professional pathway. Sam continues to play non-league football with Wingate & Finchley, alongside delivering high-quality coaching within P.A.S.S. He is eager to share his knowledge and guide players toward achieving their goals.

Nicknames

Cornish, Corn or Corny

Clubs

Colchester United, Maldon & Tiptree, Wingate & Finchley, Hashtag United and Welling United

Honours

Pro at Colchester United
County Champions with Essex
Ken Senior Cup Champion with Welling United

10+ years P.A.S.S. coaching experience

Playing style

Ball playing midfielder and Tiki Taka

Boots

Nike Tiempo

Superstitions

None

Supports

Tottenham Hotspurs

Favourite Player

Andreas Iniesta

taylor clark

Taylor joined P.A.S.S. after spending two years as a professional at Wycombe Wanderers, where he gained valuable experience working alongside experienced players and coaches in a full-time environment. Now playing for Chelmsford City in the National League South, Taylor brings fresh insight, professionalism and ambition to the coaching team as he begins his journey with P.A.S.S. His enthusiasm and commitment make him a strong role model for every player.

Nickname

Tay or Clarky

Clubs

West Ham Youth, Ipswich Town Youth, Needham Market, Wycombe Wanderers and Chelmsford City

Honours

Pro at Wycombe Wanderers
FA Cup 1st Round with Needham Market

2+ years P.A.S.S. coaching experience

Playing style

Box to Box midfielder

Boots

Adidas Copa

Superstitions

None

Supports

Chelsea FC

Favourite Player

Frank Lampard