
Coach Caolan Lavery
Caolan Lavery is a former professional footballer with 14 years of experience competing in England’s Football League.
Born in Red Deer, Alberta, Lavery embarked on a successful club career that saw him represent teams across the English Championship, League One, and League Two. He made over 250 professional appearances, scoring more than 50 goals.
Lavery’s career began at Ipswich Town before making his senior debut with Sheffield Wednesday, where he played in the Championship. He later moved to city rivals Sheffield United. Throughout his career, he had stints with several notable clubs, including Portsmouth, Plymouth Argyle, Walsall, Bradford City, Rotherham United, Scunthorpe United, Bury, Chesterfield, Southend United and Doncaster Rovers, showcasing his goal scoring ability and versatility in attack.
Lavery achieved three promotions during his career, including a memorable promotion at Wembley Stadium:
- 2016-17 – Helped Sheffield United win League One, earning automatic promotion to the Championship.
- 2017-18 – Played in Rotherham United’s League One Playoff Final victory at Wembley Stadium, securing promotion to the Championship.
- 2018-19 – Contributed to Bury FC’s automatic promotion from League Two into League One
On the international stage, Lavery initially represented Canada’s U-17 team but later switched allegiance to the Northern Ireland, the birthplace of his parents. Earning call-ups for their U-19, U-21, and senior squads.
Now into coaching, Lavery has his UEFA B License and serves as the Head Coach and Technical Director of West Canada Football Academy, an elite soccer development program based in Red Deer, Alberta. Leveraging his firsthand experience in the professional game, he is dedicated to developing the next generation of elite players, helping them reach the professional level or secure college scholarships in Canada and the USA.
Lavery’s leadership and deep knowledge of the professional game make him a vital figure in shaping the future of aspiring footballers in Western Canada.