Deji Akinpelu, a former teacher, worked in player care for the Exeter City academy during the 2020s. 

A former Exeter College student, Deji graduated in sport and physical education from Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2019. Having started his coaching career as a teenager with Central FC in Exeter, he worked after graduation as a coach with Saints South West before becoming a part-time coach in City’s academy in May 2022. 

Having worked as a mentor at Newton Abbot College and now qualified as a teacher, Deji taught PE in a school in Somerset until July 2025 when he joined the academy on a full-time basis taking charge of player care for the 13 to 18 age group. He also continued to coach within the set-up. 

Deji has left the Academy.