When Corey Boyd first joined the college, he was like many teenagers—unsure of what he wanted to do. He loved football and dreamed of making it a career, but he didn’t realise just how many doors the College could open.
He began with the NC and NQ Health, Fitness & Exercise courses, which gave him a solid foundation in sports and fitness and progressed onto HND Health, Fitness & Exercise course.
“I always loved football, but growing up, I didn’t know there were careers in football beyond playing or coaching.”
While he expected to focus mainly on health and fitness, the course offered so much more introducing him to the wide world of football behind the scenes.
“College opened my eyes. They gave me a completely different perspective on what a football career could look like.”
Central to that journey was Iain Houston, one of the college’s dedicated sports staff. He pushed Corey to think bigger.
“Iain really believed in me. He mentored, challenged, and encouraged me. He helped me realise that I had something to offer beyond the sidelines.”
“He saw something in me before I saw it in myself. Without Iain, I genuinely don’t think I’d be where I am today.”
That belief and the hands-on experience the college provided set Corey on a path few students know exists.
Today, Corey is Head of Football Administration at English Championship club Charlton Athletic, a vital behind-the-scenes role overseeing everything from fixture planning and player logistics to compliance with league regulations. His job might not be in the spotlight, but it’s essential to the club’s success.
“It’s a dream role, and it all started at City of Glasgow College.”
Looking back, Corey knows just how much the college environment shaped him. “They didn’t just prepare me for work – they prepared me for life. The people there gave me confidence and belief. That’s something I’ll always carry with me.”
Now, he hopes to inspire others.
“There’s more than one path into football. Explore it. Be curious. And don’t be afraid to take a different route, sometimes that’s where the real opportunity lies.”
From a student in Glasgow to a senior football executive in London, Corey’s story is a powerful reminder that with the right guidance and support, ambition knows no limits.
“One day, I’d love to come back to Scotland and be Head of Football Administration at Celtic. That would be the ultimate dream, for the club I grew up with, in the City where it all began.”
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