John Waddell (born 26 March 1966) is an English football coach and former player. A defender, he played professionally in Scotland before emigrating to Australia, where he enjoyed a lengthy career in the National Soccer League and Victorian state competitions, most notably with Sunshine George Cross and Morwell Falcons. He later moved into coaching and technical development roles in Victorian football.
Waddell was born in Watford, England, on 26 March 1966. He developed as a youth footballer with Norwich City, although he did not make a senior league appearance for the club.
In 1985, Waddell was signed by Dundee by manager Archie Knox. He made his senior debut during the 1984âÂÂ85 season in the Scottish Premier Division, appearing in three matches, and made two further appearances in the 1985âÂÂ86 season.
Waddell joined Dunfermline and made two appearances in the Scottish First Division during the 1986âÂÂ87 season.
Later that season, he moved to Stenhousemuir in the Scottish Second Division, where he played across the 1986âÂÂ87 and 1987âÂÂ88 seasons, making 22 league appearances and scoring six goals, before emigrating to Australia.
Waddell joined Sunshine George Cross in 1988 and became a regular fixture in the club's defence during its NSL era. He played in the 1988, 1989, 1989âÂÂ90 and 1990âÂÂ91 seasons.
After a season with Preston Makedonia in the 1991âÂÂ92 season, he returned to Sunshine George Cross in the Victorian Premier League in 1992, scoring nine goals in 23 matches.
In 1992, Waddell was selected to represent Victoria in representative football, reflecting his status as one of the leading defenders in the state at the time.
Waddell joined Morwell Falcons for the 1992âÂÂ93 season and became one of the most consistent players of the club's NSL era, ranking among the top ten all-time appearance makers.
He scored the decisive penalty in Morwell's victory in the 1994 Dockerty Cup final, playing in all three games of the competition.
During his NSL tenure, he had loan spells at Sunshine George Cross, Fawkner Blues, and Green Gully Cavaliers in the Victorian Premier League.
Waddell later played for Collingwood Warriors in the 1996âÂÂ97 season, before finishing his career with Green Gully Cavaliers and Bulleen Inter Kings in the Victorian Premier League.
Across all senior competitions, he accumulated 377 appearances and 44 goals.
Waddell's first foray into coaching was when he was appointed to the head coach role at Sunshine George Cross in 1993 - whilst technically only at the club on loan and still an active player in the National Soccer League with Morwell Falcons.
Waddell signed Falcons' teammate John Markovski on loan during that season, where Sunshine finished 6th in the 14-team league, ultimately qualifying for the finals after a slow start. They defeated St Albans in the elimination final and North Geelong in the semi-final before losing to Fawkner in the preliminary final.
After retiring, Waddell worked as senior and assistant coach at Werribee City, with four years as technical director between 2017 and 2020.
He also coached youth teams, including as NPL Under-16 coach at Bulleen Lions in 2016.
In 2021, Waddell was appointed Technical Director (Junior Boys) at Manningham United Blues.
Morwell Falcons