Head Coach Gareth Lea

                                              

Gareth started playing "football" (soccer) when he was 6 years old in England, and he signed with the Hawthorne Boys Club remaining with them till age 15 with his Dad assisting as a coach. He then moved to the Hawkwell Boys Club, and at 17 years old, played mens football for the Southend Saturday League with Airborne United.
 
When Gareth turned 23, he joined the Southend Sunday League, playing for Victory Sports. He also played with a 5 a side team on Thursday's, so his routine was playing on Tuesday (training) Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, and when he wasn't playing he was watching or attending matches. His wedding was also planned around soccer seasons !! For approximately 3 years, he helped run and coach Airborne United, invpling a lot of hard work organizing referees and players wanting to play in the English weather...often in the rain and snow, with some sunshine breaking through.
 
Throughout the years, Gareth was fortunate to be a part of some amazing teams, which lead to a number of league titles, cups, and awards for manager's player and player's player
 
Finally in 2012, the Lea's moved to San Francisco, and it wasn't going to stop Gareth from playing the game he loves. Before departing the UK, he searched high and low for local teams he could join, and within a couple of weeks of landing, he was back playing. He joined Monks Kettle, named after a bar in San Francisco. He then met Scott Ellis, a former defender and coach for SSFAC. Gareth then joined SSFAC as a standout midfielder and now is the Player Coach of the team. He is a true leader and South San Francisco A.C. is so lucky to have him as their Coach.