Kevin Ball
Assistant Academy Manager
Assistant academy manager Kevin Ball is a former player and caretaker manager at Sunderland.
A UEFA Pro Licence holder, Kevin took over as caretaker manager following Mick McCarthy's departure in March 2006, taking charge for 10 Premier league games.
Kevin, who made nearly 400 appearances for the Black Cats as well as being captain to two teams winning the Championship, is one of Sunderland's most popular captains, becoming a fans' favourite during a successful 10-year playing career at the club.
His spell as a player on Wearside came to an end in 1999 when he joined Fulham for a brief spell before moving to Burnley.
Howard Wilkinson offered Ball an opportunity to return to the Stadium of Light as a coach in January 2003 and he has been there since.
At the start of the 2004-05 season, Ball was made Assistant Academy Manager with the specific responsibility for developing Sunderland's under-18 side.
Under Kevin Ball, Sunderland's under-18s won their league in 2007 and 2008, and they reached the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup in the 2007-08 season.
Kevin's qualifications include UEFA 'A' Licence and the LMA Certificate in Applied Management as well as the Pro Licence.
Carlton Fairweather
Academy Coach
A UEFA 'A' Licence holder, Carlton Fairweather works with players aged 12 to 16 in the club's Academy.
Carlton made 138 league appearances for Wimbledon between 1984 and 1993 and was a key part of the club's ultimately successful run to the FA Cup Final in 1988.
He later played in Hong Kong and America before returning to rejoin Sunderland's backroom staff, and has also coached in the US Olympic Development Programme.
