John Yems

John Yems is a professional football coach who managed Crawley Town F.C. and spent seven years at AFC Bournemouth, where he served as First Team Assistant and Operations Manager. John has held a variety of positions within the football industry for over 30 years and has left a lasting impact at every club he has served. As a speaker, John uses his extensive football knowledge to share insights on strategy, teamwork and leadership. He also speaks openly about his experiences with mental health, encouraging audiences to prioritise their wellbeing while sharing practical insights into building resilience. With a diverse range of speaking topics, John connects with audiences across many fields, making him a valuable addition to any event.

John's career started as a Coach for Fulham FC in the Middle East, where he built his leadership skills and coaching style. In 1990, he became a Youth Team Manager and Youth Development Officer for Fulham. He continued working within youth football, serving in Youth Development for the Florida region with USA Sarasota in 1995, before moving into Academy Development roles at Millwall F.C. in 1997 and Crystal Palace F.C. in 2003. In 2004, John became Manager and Chief Scout at Crawley Town FC and later served as the First team Assistant and Chief Scout for Gray's Athletic. By 2007, John was an Assistant Manager to Paul Tisdale and Chief Scout at Exeter FC, where he contributed to the team's victory at Wembley and promotion to Division One. In 2009, he was a first-team coordinator for Torquay United FC, soon becoming the first-team coach for Gillingham FC in 2011. As manager of Crawley, John had many successes, including the 3-0 win over Leeds in the FA Cup and making the club a £2 million profit. 

In 2022, John faced a significant setback when he was suspended from the FA, an unexpected challenge that tested him both personally and professionally. Despite taking a toll on his mental health, John used it as an opportunity to build resilience and reflect on his priorities. As an advocate for mental health and well-being, John speaks candidly about how stepping away from his passion impacted him as well as the lessons he learned. In his talks, John draws on this experience to deliver honest, relatable insights on resilience, pressure and personal growth. By sharing both the highs and lows of his journey, he encourages audiences to prioritise their wellbeing, navigate setbacks with perspective and develop the mental strength needed to perform under pressure.

John Yems is a fantastic speaker for events focused on teamwork, leadership, peak performance, mental resilience and wellbeing. With his experience in managing players, scouting new talent and assisting other leaders, John translates his own experiences into universal guidance that audiences can apply to their own careers. Additionally, the growth and resilience John demonstrated in response to his suspension make him a compelling speaker for audiences seeking uplifting encouragement and honest insight into overcoming adversity. For a reliable, committed and engaging speaker, book John Yems with Champions today!