Club Statement

At training this morning, our under 19 squad – the South East Legion – was informed that Head Coach Ray Allen and Offensive Line Coach Lee Parsons will be stepping down from coaching at the end of the current 2026 season. No doubt it has been a difficult decision to make, but after many years of dedicated service they have each ultimately decided that the time is right for them to step away.

Coach Lee was one of the co-founders of the Kent Phoenix back in 2016 alongside Ian Miles and Marc Russell. He was the club’s first Chairman; a position he held from 2016 through to 2023. He was and continues to be an important and influential presence in the whole club. After stepping down as Chair, Lee continued to work hard as Team Manager & O-Line Coach for the Legion, whilst still finding time to be on hand to support his successors in the role of Chairperson.

Ray joined Kent Phoenix from the East Kent Mavericks where he had coached for many years after a successful playing career which included representing Great Britain. In previous years and again since the re-formation of the under 19 squad in 2023, Ray has been the Legion’s Head Coach. While commanding respect and admiration from the players, he has built a strong and confident environment where players can feel valued, nurtured and appreciated. Ray is always the first to throw an arm around a player’s shoulder when things are tough or to pat them on the back when they succeed.

Both Ray and Lee will also go down in club history as the men that led us to an unbeaten 2025 season, the Southern Conference championship, and the Legion’s third place finish in the nation. Our best ever season at under 19 level.

For both men, over their long association with the club, they have coached hundreds of children and young adults. Whilst many young people will have seen their Sundays at the Phoenix as just an opportunity to just play the sport they loved, others have used their start at Phoenix to progress upwards; playing at university, in adult teams in this country and around the world, joining the NFL Academy or proudly representing their country. Other alumni have followed Ray and Lee’s examples and become coaches, passing on what they have learned through Lee and Ray to shape the next generation.

Everyone that knows Lee and Ray knows they are each a force to be reckoned with; a tremendous duo and men that get stuff done. There is no doubt that a large portion of Kent Phoenix’ success and strength now is due to their determination, and their inability to take no for an answer! Given the way they have led and worked harmoniously together, it seems somewhat fitting that they step away together; even if their reasons for doing so are very different. Coach Ray has recently moved home and is no longer living locally. For Coach Lee, after many years of hard work for the club, it’s time for family and other interests.

While we are very sad to see them go, we respect their decisions and understand their reasons why. We also want to thank them on behalf of the whole club for all they have done. We wish them all the very best for the future. They are and will always be part of the Kent Phoenix family.

Ray and Lee were kind enough to warn the Board about this decision some time ago. The Board would therefore like to assure players and parents that we remain committed to fielding teams in all age groups and building on the successful under 19 squad that we already have. As a result, discussions have been going on for some time about how to recruit a new u19 Head Coach and assistant coaches for the 2027 season after Ray and Lee depart. In an ideal world, we would like to see that new Head Coach come on board during the 2026 season to make for a smooth transition, although we appreciate this may not be possible. Watch this space.

Should anyone wish to put themselves forward for consideration as Head Coach for the u19 squad, please feel free to reach out to a Board Member for an informal chat. We will also be advertising the role(s) within the British American Football playing and coaching community. We appreciate your continued support during this time of transition and we look forward to recruiting and welcoming new coaches to the under 19 squad in due course. In the meantime, we hope that you will join us in cheering on the Legion in 2026. We will be doing all that we can to support our under 19s and make sure that Coach Ray and Coach Lee and the rest of the coaching staff have all they need to ensure every possible success in 2026.
On behalf of us all, thank you Coach Ray and Coach Lee for everything you have done for Kent Phoenix Youth American Football Club.

Michelle, David & Gayle
Kent Phoenix AFC Board