Dr Clint Godfrey
Senior Lecturer in Sports Business Management
Dr Clint Godfrey is a Senior Lecturer with extensive experience in sport business management, leadership, professional development and higher education. He has held academic roles at the University of Central Lancashire and Liverpool John Moores University, where he led and developed undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in sport business, leadership, management and professional development. Clint is also an Honorary Faculty Member at the University of Liverpool, supporting online postgraduate programmes within the Management School.
Before moving into higher education, Clint worked in sports development, including as a National Development Manager at Sport England, where he managed national investment strategies linked to community sport facility development. Alongside his university role, Clint maintains an active consultancy practice, supporting organisations with leadership development, coaching, professional learning, culture, governance and strategic development. This applied work informs his teaching and helps students connect academic theory with real-world organisational practice.
His teaching and professional interests focus on sport business, leadership, employability, professional practice, organisational development and the links between education, industry and career development.
Research Interests
Clint's research interests are centred on sport business, professional development, education and the relationship between learning, identity and career progression in sport-related contexts. His doctoral research explored attitudes towards education in professional football, reflecting a wider interest in how people working in sport understand the value of education, training and continuing professional development
He is also interested in sport participation, coaching, leadership and organisational development. His recent collaborative research has focused on cycling, developed from a former student’s master’s research, and he is keen to continue developing applied research that connects student projects, sport organisations and real-world practice.
Publications
| Year | Publication | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Understanding the impact COVID-19 has had on grassroots cycling: the perspective of grassroots volunteers and British cycling staff, Managing Sport and Leisure. [DOI] David Redmond;Matthew Hindmarsh;Clint Godfrey |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2015 | Nostalgia as truth, self preservation or identity formation? – Initial accounts from professional footballers in education, UCLan Journal of Pedagogic Research. Dr Clint Godfrey |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2011 | Evaluating International Youth Sport for Development Programmes: Reality or Impossibility?, Children, Youth and Leisure. Dr Clint Godfrey |
Book Chapter |
| 2010 | Sport in the UK, Learning Matters / Sage. Dr Clint Godfrey;Dr Leona Trimble;Dr Babatunde Buraimo;Dr David Grecic;Dr Sue Minten |
Book |
Professional Associations
| Association | Function | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Fellow of the Higher Education Academy | Professional recognition for teaching and learning in higher education | 10/01/2011 |
| Staff and Educational Development Association | Professional development in teaching and learning in higher education | 03/01/2011 |
Employment
| Employer | Position | Date |
|---|---|---|
| University of Liverpool | Honorary Faculty (Postgraduate Programmes) | 2023 |
| ICL Education & Training Ltd | Education Consultant | 2023 |
| Liverpool John Moores University | Senior Lecturer - Sport Business (Entrepreneurship, Leadership & Management) | 2021 - 2024 |
| University of Lancashire | Senior Lecturer / Course Leader (MSc Sport Business Management) | 2007 - 2021 |
| Sport England | National Development Manager | 2004 - 2007 |
| Chorley Borough Council | Sports Development Manager | 2002 - 2004 |
| Preston City Council | Senior Sports Development Officer | 2000 - 2002 |
Education
| Institution | Qualification | Subject | From/To |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Manchester | BA (Hons) | Leisure Studies and Business Management | 1996 - 1999 |
| University of Lancashire | Doctorate | Education (EdD) | 2012 - 2017 |
| University of Lancashire | MA | Sport Management | 2004 - 2007 |
Professional Practice and External Engagement
Clint undertakes consultancy and professional development work alongside his academic role, supporting organisations with leadership development, coaching, professional learning, governance, strategy, culture and capability development. This applied work informs his teaching and helps students connect academic ideas with real-world professional practice.
He has also served as an External Examiner for sport business and sport management programmes, including appointments with the University of Worcester and The American College of Greece, Athens. Clint also has an applied sport background, including previous experience in sport development and holding a UEFA B Coaching Licence, and the England Golf Community Golf Instructor Award.
Teaching Interests
Clint's teaching interests include sport business management, leadership, organisational behaviour, professional development, employability, entrepreneurship, research methods, strategic management and reflective practice. He is particularly interested in helping students apply academic theory to real-world professional contexts and in supporting students to develop confidence, academic skills and career readiness.
His teaching experience spans undergraduate, postgraduate, campus-based and online provision, with a strong focus on applied learning, industry engagement and student employability.