OUR TEAM
SCHOLARSHIP CONNECT has a talented and specialist team working to assist Prospective Student-Athletes in their journey. From left to right: Karl Haggon (Head of Client Services USA), Matthew Smith (Consultant), Jim Thompson (Lead Scout), Jai Grant (Technical Administrator) and Andrew Muxworthy (Founder/Consultant)
KARL HAGGON - HEAD OF CLIENT SERVICES (Lead Consultant). Based in Atlanta (Georgia), Karl has lived in America since being sent on scholarship by Scholarship Connect founder Andrew Muxworthy to Tyler Junior College (Texas) in August 2004. During his collegiate career Karl also played for NCAA D1 Marshall University (Virginia) and NCAA D2 Clayton State University (Georgia). The Peterlee England native graduated with a BSc in Fitness Management and is also a Master of Business Administration. Karl was Assistant Coach to Pete Petersen for six seasons at Clayton State University and during that time he became a USSF A License holder. A Director of Concorde Fire in Atlanta, Karl is very experienced in coaching the U15 to U19 age group, and until the national US Development Academy was closed down, he was the U19 coach at that level for Concorde Fire. Karl is also a part-owner in WHM Sports Recruitment, a USA to UK recruitment company. Prior to moving to the USA Karl was at Hartlepool United School of Excellence for 5 seasons (released at 16) before captaining Andrew Muxworthy’s Chester-le-Street Youth side in the 2002/03 season. Football Fan: Sunderland AFC.
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MATTHEW SMITH - CONSULTANT. Matthew has joined Scholarship Connect as a Consultant to work with young people across the UK delivering USA soccer scholarship Opportunity Awareness presentations at schools, college and professional football clubs. Matthew has strong relationships of working with the U16 to U19 youth sector, particularly in football. He is an experienced presenter. Passionate about working with young people and particularly within football, Matthew delivers varied, engaging, creative and innovative presentations to help recruit 'good fit' Student-Athletes. Matthew is a footballer for Durham United. For several years he was at Hartlepool United School of Excellence. Like Karl, he also played for Andrew at Chester le Street Town. Significantly, Matthew is the Co-Founder of the suicide prevention, intervention and support charity IF U CARE SHARE which works nationally with young people. Football Fan: Newcastle United.
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JIM THOMPSON - LEAD SCOUT. Jim is arguably one of the most successful and highly respected non-league coaches/managers in the North of England. He works in both youth and adult football. Jim has been Head Coach of the Durham FA County Youth team since 2005. Every year he leads his County coaching staff through a rigorous player selection process to identify the very best talent in the region. Known not only for his coaching and managerial experience, Jim is also a well renowned talent spotter and has turned down many opportunities over the years to scout in football. Jim leads his County youth team in both Northern Region and National Competitions. The team has won the Northern Counties title a record 9 times under his leadership. His continuous football passion runs beyond the County FA as every Sunday he can be found managing his successful Houghton Town team in the Durham & District Sunday Premier League. His Sunday team have won every different competition they have entered since foundation. Jim holds a UEFA ‘B’ Licence and is the Lead Scout for Scholarship Connect. Football Fan: Sunderland AFC.
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JAI GRANT - TECHNICAL ADMINISTRATOR. A talented footballer, Jai spent a total 8 years with the professional club academies of Hartlepool and Newcastle United. At 16 he signed for League One Rochdale as a full-time professional. Jai worked as an apprentice in the Energy Sector - passing his courses ahead of schedule. He plays semi-professional football in the Northern League. At Scholarship Connect Jai works with Karl ensuring smooth communications between UK and USA operations. An undergraduate of Sunderland University where he is studying to be a teacher, Jai has a very keen interest in Politics. Football Fan: Sunderland AFC.
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ANDREW MUXWORTHY - FOUNDER / CONSULTANT. Andrew founded Scholarship Connect in 2011 after spending 8 years researching the industry. Between 2004 and 2011 Andrew voluntarily sent students to the USA. Andrew is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced persons working in the US soccer scholarship industry (in the UK) today. He has visited many college / university programs, built a vast number of coach contacts – many of whom have become friends due to the integrity with which Scholarship Connect affords their programs. Andrew spent 16 seasons (1995 - 2011) as Youth Manager at then Northern League D1 Chester le Street Town. For 10 of the 16 years, Chester le Street were the most successful non-league youth side in the North-East of England securing 26 trophies including the Durham County Youth Cup 4 times out of 4 attempts. Andrew oversaw 445 competitive games at Chester le Street and over 16 seasons saw his team 82% undefeated. Andrew’s Chester le Street Youth side regularly made the 1st Round Proper of the F.A. Youth Cup. Their most successful season was 2003/04 when they reached the last 32 (4th Round Proper), going out of the cup 2-0 to West Ham United at Upton Park. They had previously beaten three professional club sides - Derby County, Port Vale and Hartlepool United. The run in the competition remains a North-East non-league record. Football fan: Newcastle United.
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JAMIE POOLE – SCOUT. Jamie has played at the high end of non-league football for many years and runs his own sports business. His football career includes Whitby Town, Blyth Spartans, Billingham Town, Guisborough and his current club Thornaby. Jamie was at Middlesbrough Academy for 6 years, released when he turned 16.
JIM PROVETT - SCOUT. Jim is a former professional footballer who played for Hartlepool United and Bury. He is now a qualified and highly experienced, well thought ofand sought after goalkeeping coach who works at all levels of the game. Jim introduces GK prospects.
MATT BECKINGHAM – SCOUT. Matt is a UEFA B licensed coach who recruits in the the south of England. Matt runs his own highly successful football coaching business. A former coach at Southampton FC, Matt has held scouting roles for AFC Bournemouth, Reading, Swindon and Portsmouth.
STEVE FORSTER – VIDEOGRAPHER.
Steve holds an MSc in Sport and Exercise Science and a BA in Applied Health and Exercise Science. He has worked as a key performance analyst for Sheffield United (most recently), Barnsley and Hartlepool United. He now leads video editing facilities for Scholarship Connect producing high quality, personalised presentations for US coaches.
EMAIL: (and ask for your email to be referred to Steve)