Derek Goulding joined AFC Liverpool as manager of the club in the Summer of 2008. He is well known in the non league scene as a successful player and manager.

A tough centre half, Derek started his professional career on the blue half of Merseyside as captain of Everton’s youth team, despite being a lifelong red.

It did however give him the opportunity of regularly meeting the great Bill Shankly, who lived nearby and would often pop into the training ground on the way to pick up his morning paper.

He won the Lancashire League with Everton Youth and made 12 reserve team appearances before being signed by Altrincham, where he added the Alliance Premier League Shield to his trophy collection.

Short spells at Bangor City, Stafford Rangers and Oswestry Town followed, before a return to Bangor City that lasted six hugely successful seasons. Still remembered with great affection by the Bangor City faithful, he is listed on the club’s website as one of the genuine legends of the club, described as “possibly the finest centre back the club has ever seen.”

A stay at Conference side Chorley FC led to Derek signing for Southport FC where he won the Northern Premier League, the Lancashire Senior Cup, and the Liverpool Senior Cup in a four year stay.

He finished his playing career at Fleetwood Hesketh in the West Lancashire league following a stop at Halifax Town and a brief return to Chorley.

While at Fleetwood, Derek became Burscough FC’s youth coach in 2000 before being promoted within just two years to take over as Burscough’s Reserve team manager, winning the Liverpool Youth Cup twice and adding the Lancashire Youth Cup for good measure!

Following ex Red Mike Marsh’s departure as Burscough manager in 2003, Derek was called on to take over the hot seat with the club languishing at the foot of the Unibond Premier League table. Not only did he save them from relegation but he led them to the Conference North play off finals.

He stayed at Burscough FC for three years, the highlight of which was his masterminding of a famous giant killing victory over Gillingham in the FA Cup.

Derek is an “A” Licensed coach and his footballing philosophy is simple enough. “You have two choices as a manager,” he says. “Try to win, or simply try not to lose. I like exciting positive football, so I always try to win!!”