Watford’s first football in the community officer has been appointed assistant technical director at the Football Association.

John McDermott, who moved to Vicarage Road in 1992 when the Hornets established their Football in the Community department, is leaving his position as Tottenham Hotspur’s head of academy coaching and player development to join the FA.

McDermott went on to become Academy director at Watford and will leave Spurs after 15 years with the club during which he has overseen the development of players including Harry Kane, Harry Winks and Andros Townsend.

He told the Spurs website: “I may be biased, but I doubt that any other club in the country has a sense of purpose and work ethic that the Academy staff, past and present, has shown to our players. It has been a privilege to work alongside some of the best player developers in the country.

“Our staff have relentlessly modelled and dedicated themselves to igniting and nurturing a passion for football in our young players – and to instil the highest standards of behaviours, competitiveness and style both on and off the pitch. I know through experience of meeting these players when they’re older and they return to visit us or even work as staff – those who embraced these standards recognise their importance for their career and life beyond football.

“I am so incredibly proud of all the young men whose alma mater is Tottenham Hotspur Academy.

“I leave with wonderful memories, and no doubt Jose and the coaching staff will lead the First Team in bringing the Club even more success – assisted in the future, I’m sure, by many of our current Academy players.”