More than 40 years of coaching football, building confidence and helping people grow.

For Francis Fox, football has always been about far more than what happens with a ball. It is an opportunity to help children discover their abilities, build confidence, form friendships and develop values that will serve them throughout their lives.

Since founding English Football School in Singapore in 2013, Francis has worked to create an environment where children feel welcome, supported and encouraged to grow. His belief is that every child deserves the chance to enjoy football, whatever their starting point, personality or ability.

Learning to pass, dribble and score matters. So does learning to greet someone politely, listen carefully, help a teammate and respond positively when things do not go your way. Francis sees these lessons as part of the same education.

Good manners, tenacity, respect, humility and graciousness are central to his approach. He wants children to have the courage to try, the determination to persevere and the kindness to recognise when someone else needs encouragement. Winning should be enjoyed with humility, and losing should be handled with dignity. Improvement comes through effort, patience and a willingness to learn.

These beliefs shape the atmosphere Francis expects across EFS. Children should feel able to make mistakes without fear of humiliation. They should understand what is being asked of them, receive encouragement appropriate to their needs and experience the satisfaction of making progress.

Francis also brings the perspective of a qualified nurse, with experience supporting children with complex needs and behavioural development. This background has helped him appreciate how differently children communicate, learn and respond to their surroundings. A child who needs more reassurance, a different explanation or a little extra time deserves understanding and thoughtful support.

Despite decades in the game, Francis still loves being on the pitch with the children. Match play remains one of his greatest pleasures: joining in, sharing their excitement and watching their confidence emerge. His enthusiasm is contagious, and he believes that a coach’s enjoyment of the game can help children develop their own lasting love of football.

That same commitment extends to the coaching team. Francis believes that investing in staff development directly improves the experience children receive. He wants coaches to have a clear pathway, opportunities to develop and the support of mentoring, constructive feedback and increasing responsibility.

For him, leading a football school means helping the people within it grow. Coaches should feel supported in their ambitions while understanding the standards expected of them.

Francis expects his team to bring the same commitment he valued in the teammates who played alongside him: to work hard, prepare thoroughly, support one another and give their best for the people depending on them. His belief is straightforward—hard work brings results.

Those expectations also provide an example for the children. When coaches demonstrate effort, discipline, respect, humility and teamwork, they give young players something meaningful to follow.

At the heart of Francis’s vision is a football school where enjoyment and development belong together. Some children will progress towards competitive football through the Centre of Excellence. Others will come for exercise, friendship and the pleasure of playing. Every child should feel that they belong and that their progress matters.

Above all, Francis hopes children leave EFS with more than improved football skills. He wants them to leave with greater confidence, stronger friendships, good habits and a growing understanding of how to treat others well.

Every child is different. If you feel your child has individual needs that would benefit from a conversation, please contact Francis for a free initial discussion. He welcomes the opportunity to understand your child and explore how EFS can support their enjoyment, participation and development.