Issue 17 - April 2012 News from League Football Education Touchline Inside: Create Your Legacy Club Focus : Barnet | Feature : Matt Holland
Matt’s Message Words of Wisdom to Apprentices Across the Nation
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FACEBOOKEMAIL confidence and VIDEO desire to achieve more in the game.” We Did EMAILPHONE Gael Bigirimana HOME Feedback from the Sporting PHONE Chance visits to Clubs and NVQ Standardisation Meetings has HOMEFACEBOOK hailed both as ‘Outstanding’. The lifestyle awareness and FACEBOOK educational programme delivered by Sporting Chance, which is now Gael Bigirimana Jordan Cousins in its third full year, took in 37 clubs Burnley’s Burnley’s covering almost 600 young players. FA Youth Cup Apprentices up and down the land dreams were shattered at gave the sessions a big thumbs-up, Youth Cup the penultimate hurdle as they commenting on the poignancy and fell to a 3-1 semi-final defeat to Nick Powell powerful nature of the 90 minute Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers. workshop before grading it as Challenge Youth Team Coach Terry Pashley had hoped to emulate the ‘Outstanding’ across all areas. success of the club’s famous youth cup winning side of 1968 but The NVQ Standardisation Meetings despite their best efforts to overcome a 1-0 first leg deficit, the Clarets were similarly well received slid to a 2-1 home reverse in front of over 10,000 spectators. Football League Awards with the majority of scores to A remarkable journey saw Burnley dispose of Boston United, Ipswich Town, questions sitting in the ‘Good’ or West Bromwich Albion and Fulham scoring 16 goals along the way and giving Coventry City’s Gael Bigirimana, to achieve his educational targets, having ‘Outstanding’ category. Pashley’s men a lot to reflect on. Charlton Athletic’s Jordan Cousins undertaken additional sessions because of his first Midfield man Steven Hewitt, tweeted; “I would like to thank all of the fans team commitments. and Crewe Alexandra’s Nick Powell that came out & supported us!! You were great!! Never stopped singing!! Bigirimana said: “It means the world to me and #greatsupport” were crowned as ‘Apprentice of the brings confidence and desire to achieve more in Irish forward Shay McCartan, added: “Thanks for all the support everyone, Year’ for their respective divisions the game. the fans were brilliant, although we got beat it’s an experience I will at last month’s Football League “I need to thank the Academy staff at Coventry never forget.”
Awards. and my team-mates for making me the player To see a full summary WEB Blackburn will now face Chelsea or last year’s winners Manchester Bigirimana took the Championship title ahead that I am today.” of these reports and United in the final of youth football’s most prestigious of Jonathan Williams (Crystal Palace) and Jordan Cousins pipped Matt Crooks (Huddersfield Town) results from previous competition. Chelsea will take a 2-1 advantage to PERSON Obita (Reading). and Doyle Middleton (Preston North End) to questionnaires please Stamford Bridge on 13 April after winning the the League One award. In League Two Crewe visit: first-leg at Old Trafford last month. The midfielder who made his first-team debut in BLOG August has become a cult figure for fans at the Alexandra’s hot property Nick Powell fended off www.lfe.org.uk/ Ricoh Arena and has made over 20 appearances the challenge of Miles Storey (Swindon Town) apprentice-info/you- TWITTER for the Sky Blues. Off the pitch he is on track and Daniel Banister (Northampton Town). said-we-did Images courtesy of PA
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FACEBOOK Leonardo Update Award Pre-season preparations for The winner of this year’s Cheltenham Town, Derby County and Oldham Athletic will include Mike Johnson Memorial a trip to Holland courtesy of LFE. Award is former Darlington Apprentices will get the chance Apprentice Dan Burn. to sample a different football philosophy in the two week tour Burn who made the switch to Fulham last which should broaden personal and summer on a three-year deal made 14 first- professional horizons. team appearances for ‘Darlo’ during two-years As well as playing friendlies against there as an Apprentice. During that time he continental opposition, some of excelled educationally particularly on his NVQ. Holland’s top coaches will lend their His receipt of the Award, to acknowledge the nous to training sessions at state-of best Apprentice NVQ portfolio, coincided with the-art facilities. Darlington’s well publicised financial problems Youth Alliance & Academy Round up Mainland Europe is coming to a head. And the youngster, who is already a temporary now living in a trendy area of West London, With the end of the season closing in Hull In Academy League A Southampton and YOUTH ALLIANCE home for seven former was so dismayed by the plight of his former City have opened up a six point lead over West Ham United still have a way to go to Apprentices on LFE’s club that he made an undisclosed donation to second placed Hartlepool United in the reach Arsenal who have a four point lead. Team P W GD PTS YA NW 1 Preston North End 20 15 29 47 player placement the ‘Darlo Uncovered Fighting Fund’. 2 Burnley 18 15 23 45 North East Conference. Leicester City, Reading and Coventry City are 3 Walsall 19 13 36 44 programme. Thomas “It’s been horrible to see what’s happened at In the South West Conference it’s a much currently heading up Academy League B, YA NE 1 Hull City 19 15 32 46 Lang (Torquay United), Darlo,” said Burn. “Obviously I’ve got a lot of 2 Hartlepool United 20 12 20 40 tighter affair with Exeter City, Swindon while Crewe Alexandra’s U18’s have had it 3 Darlington 20 12 8 39 Jack Davies (Lincoln City), friends there so I’ve kept in touch with what’s YA SW 1 Exeter City 17 9 27 33 James Brown (Gillingham), been happening. I felt it was right to pass on Town and Plymouth Argyle all on 33 points. tough in League C. 2 Swindon Town 17 10 16 33 3 Plymouth Argyle 16 10 15 33 Connor Roberts this money knowing that it will go towards Elsewhere, Preston North End are heading up Finally Leeds United will have their work cut (Tranmere Rovers) and helping some of those players.” YA SE 1 Southend United 23 12 18 41 the North West Conference league. However, out to chase down a Newcastle Utd side 2 Barnet 21 13 22 40 Dan Bolwell (Brighton & 3 Brighton & Hove Albion 19 12 25 39 local rivals Burnley trail just two points with a six point advantage in League D. Hove Albion) are enjoying ACADEMY LEAGUE behind them with two games in hand. Bradley Dack (Gillingham) is holding the a 19 week taste of Spanish Team P W GD PTS football at Xerez CD and Racing Meanwhile in the South East, Barnet, leading goal scorer title so far with 16 goals ACAD A 1 Arsenal 26 15 17 48 2 Southampton 25 12 23 44 Club Portuense. Brighton & Hove Albion, Southend United, in the Youth Alliance and Dominic Samuel 3 West Ham United 26 13 10 43 Across in Sweden, Jamie Hopcutt QPR and Millwall are all vying for first (Reading) is still top of the Academy League ACAD B 1 Leicester City 24 15 22 50 2 Reading 23 14 30 48 (ex-York City) has been offered a place. With just three points separating scorers with 17 goals. 3 Coventry City 23 14 18 47 professional deal after impressing in the top five there could be a dramatic ACAD C 1 Manchester City 24 16 23 51 2 Blackburn Rovers 24 14 13 46 a similar arrangement at Ostersund climax to the season. 3 Liverpool 24 13 15 45 FK. He heads to Scandinavia on a ACAD D 1 Newcastle United 22 14 20 46 2 Leeds United 22 12 17 40 full-time basis later this month. 3 Derby County 25 11 12 38 4 5 (All information correct at time of writing.) COACHING DEVELOPMENT FUND DEVELOPMENT
The lads were brilliant, they took in all Coaching Success at Charlton the information and were genuinely On a cold Wednesday Once first-team veteran Jason Euell Newcombe was happy with Osbourne’s PFA Regional Coach, Phil Church, who interested in what they heard. They were morning at their New had been put through his paces taking efforts and passed him. Midfielder worked at West Ham Utd before taking a credit to their Club, its supporters and charge of a finishing practice (which he Bradley Jordan was up next and as up his role at the players union, added: the League. Phil Stant Eltham training ground, The Football League passed) it was over to centre-back Harry he got started, Osbourne spoke about “Clubs do the coaching award in different Charlton Athletic’s Osbourne to lead the group through a his success. degrees but the ones that schedule The four day trip saw County’s “The boys behaved impeccably devastated by the loss of their Apprentices spent a defensive drill focussed on delaying and “It went okay - better than I thought it sessions with their academies or centres of jockeying attackers. Head of Youth, Mick Leonard throughout,” said Leonard, who Education Officer Jim King. King day helping each other would. The hardest thing is controlling excellence get the most out of it.” lead his charges through the made over 250 appearances in sadly passed away a month Assessor Mark Newcombe, who also the lads. It’s easier coaching the young County get through the Final “About 90 per cent of the Apprentices Somme alongside Phil Stant of The County colours between 1979 before the County lads crossed coaches at Crystal Palace’s Academy, kids in the Academy as they’re more pass first time – those that fail tend to Football League Trust who acted and 1989. “Not many of them will the channel and just one-day after Assessment of their Level was looking for Harry and the rest of enthusiastic and listen more.” 2 Coaching Certificate. fail because they haven’t gained enough as a tour-guide. have been to places where battles he had taken the whole youth- the Charlton lads to stop their sessions Charlton Education and Welfare Officer, coaching experience. They haven’t done lads pay The expedition marked a return for would have taken place and it all team to the cinema to watch Having spent the last and give information as well as Joe Francis, has overseen the boys’ the hours.” puts everything into perspective. ‘War Horse’ in preparation for demonstrations when needed, to highlight Leonard and Stant, to the scene placements this term and sees the fruits With several former Apprentices now their expedition. few months coaching at what they wanted from their team-mates. of the Footballers’ Battalions the Club’s Academy and of their labour. working as coaches, Francis sees the respects monument which was unveiled “Jim was a great guy so we felt it “It’s a challenge for the boys to coach “This year we’ve got the lads paired up benefits of the system; two years ago by The Football was only right to pay our respects learning from PFA Coach their peers and it can be a problem,” with an Academy coach each so that they “Four of the last seven lads we released Notts County’s youth- League Chairman Greg Clarke, as to him while we were away,” said Phil Church, the challenge admitted Newcombe. can work with the younger age groups are now coaching for a living. Alex team have been to a permanent memorial to the men youth-team skipper Jake Wholey. was to now show that “We know the lads know the game but at night. They’ve done six sessions with Stavrinou is playing at Ebbsfleet but of the 17th and 23rd Middlesex “As a group of players we all they too had acquired the they need to bring the information out. the kids and loved it. George Howard coaching in the daytime, Ben Davisson Northern France Regiments who lost their lives appreciate everything he did for skills to lead a variety of They have to paint a picture so players is working with goalkeepers in the is coaching on Friday nights at a Coerver during the First World War. “We are back to business now us. He always thought about know what’s required. At this age, Academy and is now going to do his on a team bonding but the guys are all revitalised. different sessions. centre at Tunbridge, and Sam Long has Based in the historic town of others first and we’re all still shyness is a major challenge.” Goalkeeping badges.” his own coaching business.” outing that carried Albert at the heart of the Somme It’s been nice to get away from feeling a little lost without him. football for a short while and it has battlefields, the Magpies youth “He was respected in equal real significance done everyone good.” squad took in the site of former measure on either side of the courtesy of League trenches, local museums and the The visit to the scene of so much Trent after working at Forest for Football Education’s point where nearly 250 men of destruction was particularly so long and we all hope we can the Devonshire Regiment were cut poignant to the Apprentices make him proud by what we do as Development Fund. down in less than five minutes. present who prior to the trip were footballers and in life.”
6 7 “Employers love the determination of sports people. Make the most of the skills you already have - like WEB
communicating with teammates, ou r L egacy respecting others and good timekeeping. All those are things PERSON you’ll need in the rest of your life.
Pick your strengths and decide what Y Cr eate BLOG to use them for.” Dame Kelly Holmes
Planning TWITTER
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Two venues, 1000 attendees, over 40 exhibitors, www.createyourlegacy.co.uk HOMEWEB a dozen Olympians and an Englishman, an Irishman Create-Your-Legacy FACEBOOK and a Welshman - that was Create Your Legacy 2012. PERSON
BLOG Dame Kelly Holmes and several other “I originally went in to the Army and in what will be his third games – British Olympians were among the was a Physical Training Instructor – the reality is that he will have move Footballing trio hail Create Your LegacyTWITTER 11 world-class British sports people that was my first dream job and I’m into employment just weeks after Footballing trio Brian Deane, Kevin “Some might feel a little nervous who personally challenged young glad I went for it. I then went back the competition ends. VIDEO elite athletes to start planning for to running and my goal was always Ratcliffe and Matt Holland have hailed about doing it especially when they’re “I’m really lucky to be swimming Create Your Legacy after they each in a group or with team-mates in case life after sport at Create Your Legacy to win an Olympic gold medal so I’ve at the games in July but I’m not EMAIL last month. been lucky because I fulfilled both gave up a day to speak at the annual they get a bit of stick or get ribbed like a Premier League footballer careers events held in Manchester about it but it’s important to go and my dreams. PHONE Speaking at the careers event held who can take plenty of time out and Reading. have those conversations about things by League Football Education (LFE) “I’m now working on a full-time to think what’s going to be next,” that interest you. in conjunction with The Dame Kelly basis so I’ve had to re-adjust my said Davenport. “It’s a fantastic event, when I was HOME Holmes (DKH) Legacy Trust, Dame sights and the next thing for me a young player coming through the “At the end of the day by the time “I’m going to be faced with the real ranks at West Ham something like this you’re 25 or 26 you’ll be the one that’s Kelly told football apprentices and is to become a successful business “It’s a fantastic event, when I was a FACEBOOK dilemma that I need to be in a job wasn’t around,” said Former Ipswich benefitting from it and they won’t.” other young sports stars attending: woman so I’ve already set my own young player coming through the come September. Financially I can’t Town and Charlton Athletic star Matt goals around that. It’s important ranks at West Ham something like Ex Sheffield Utd and Leeds Utd “There’s so many “Fundamentally, we want you to be afford not to be but I’ve already set Holland. “It’s very important because that anyone coming away from this wasn’t around,” Matt Holland forward Brian Deane added; “If I’d people here that the best you can be, but, on the side, some wheels in motion – there’s still there are players here that will go on you have to think ‘What if?’ Don’t sport does the same. If you’ve the chance I could swim next year have known more about what was can help players been an elite sportsperson you to have a career, but there’s a lot who out there it would have definitely whether they stay ever, ever give up on your dream - it but I’ve also got a plan b in mind just will fall by the wayside.“ took me 20 years to realise mine. And have an advantage.” in case I don’t do that. helped me when I was reaching the in football or not Former Everton & Wales Captain end of my career. You can spend a and have a positive give it the best you can, so you don’t Her views were endorsed by “The one certainty that faces every have to live with regrets later.” Swimmer Ross Davenport who is Ratcliffe was also quick to pick up on year or two drifting without a real impact on their athlete in all sports is that you can’t the number of opportunities available plan so this sort of day is wholly futures.” Advising them on what to do when taking part in this summer’s Olympic go on forever, so whether you’ve Games in the 200m freestyle relay. via the exhibitors on show. “It was underrated because whilst it might Matt Holland they leave full-time sport, Dame Kelly been released by a club, retired great to see so many lads chatting not be glamorous or headline stuff added: “You have to look inside The 27-year-old told a packed through injury or come to the end of to exhibitors. to many it’s essential really.” yourself and decide what you want audience that while he can’t wait to your career the most important thing to do, what it is that you want. swim on home soil at London 2012, is to plan for your future life.”
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OFILE : MATT HOLLAND P R OFILE : MATT
While that drama was played out in front of the world on television, Holland has become No regrets accustomed to the spotlight in recent years, That mentality certainly served the effervescent presenting and summarising on a variety of Holland well. Named as captain at Portman Road Football shows including BBC Late Kick Off
he led the Tractor Boys into the top flight in 2000 (East), Match of the Day and Final Score. Named the Cherries Player of the Year in 1996, and helped them into European competition “In my late 20s I started doing Holland was soon attracting the attention of after a top five finish in the Premier League the commentaries and more and more media bigger clubs and Ipswich Town swooped for his following year. work, I got my coaching badges and I wanted Have ‘No regrets’, is Matt Holland’s services in 1997. for HollandIn 2003 he was on the move again, this time to to leave as many doors open as possible in message to Apprentice players up Speaking about his development, he was quick South London and Charlton where he became terms of what I might fall into after playing,” and down the country who have to single out one key factor in particular that a firm fans favourite in a seven year stint that said Holland. he feels got him through the tough times and hopes of establishing themselves ended with his retirement in 2009. “I’m one of the lucky ones because I’ve had a laid the foundations for his 17 year career - “I’ve lived the dream,” continued Holland, long career when the average is something like in the professional game. ‘Commitment’. “I wanted to be a professional footballer 7 - 8 years but I was conscious that as time passed The former Ipswich Town and Charlton Athletic “Have the right attitude and be the best you and I was fortunate enough to do that. I’ve by I needed to think about what was next. star who was capped by the Republic of Ireland can possibly be every single day in training or experienced highs and lows but you have to have “Football was my passion and I’m still involved on 49 occasions spoke exclusively to Touchline whatever else you do,” said Holland. “One of determination and bounce back from any set in it through the media work by going along last month and gave his views on what it takes to my former team-mates at West Ham who’s still back and always do your best.” to games or working on shows and I love doing get to the top, what to do if it doesn’t quite work a good friend, used to go out in the week and The one contradiction in his thinking might be that. I think it’s very important that to enjoy out and his new life as a media pundit. not always give everything he had. He now looks the 2002 World Cup where the joy of scoring a what you’re doing because if you don’t it’s Known as a whole-hearted box to box midfielder back and thinks about what might have been. screamer in Ireland’s opener against Cameroon probably not for you.” in the same mould as his hero Bryan Robson, The key to success in any walk of life is being quickly turned to despair in the second round
Holland’s career in football initially didn’t go as committed. when he was one of three Irish players to miss in planned. Rejected by Arsenal as a schoolboy for “Have no regrets. Be on time to work and put a penalty shoot-out defeat to Spain. being too small, Bury born Holland began his 100 per cent into everything you do. There’s career at West Ham United but in his five years at no point later in life thinking back about Upton Park he didn’t register a single appearance something you could’ve done better that might for the club. have made a difference.” In fact it wasn’t until he left the Boleyn Ground for Dean Court, Bournemouth, in 1995, that his career started to move on an upward spiral. Images courtesy of PA
10 Images courtesy of P.A. 11 .C. CLUB FOCUS : BA R NET f CLUB Barnet Buzzing at Hive When the clocks went back in November, And on 4 February, when most of England was The giant Sykes - a Peter Crouch-like figure Left-back Elliott Johnson trains every day Barnet Under-18s were struggling through covered in ice and snow, Barnet were the only from Essex - and local lad Lowe both played with the first team and awaits his league another season in the Football League Youth club in the division able to stage a game; they quite a few games for the Under-18s last year debut, striker Kieran Weekes and centre-back Coach Steele Alliance. In four years in the competition they hammered Wimbledon 7-1 on the 3G pitch at and that experience seems to have given them Callum Adebiyi have been on loan to Ryman is giving had been seen as the basement-dwellers, The Hive. a major leg-up. Second-year scholar Gambin, League side Ware – Adebiyi returning to play if not the whipping boys of the South East The goals kept flowing; four against Luton, a highly-skilful, short and stocky forward from left-back for the Bees, and midfielder Neil opportunities Division, fighting to avoid the wooden spoon three against high-flying Gillingham and then Merton, has unpicked defences with his left- Johnson has enjoyed an extended spell with and rarely winning more than a handful of a narrow 2-1 win over title-chasing Southend. foot to trigger Sykes’ and Lowe’s goal glut. Enfield Town at their new stadium. Jordan to several games all season. This season looked like Jeremy Steele’s side had hit an extraordinary Coach Steele, who previously worked with Fincher is recovering from a long-term injury more of the same. And then winter came – 35 goals in eight league games, conceding Chelsea, Wimbledon and Portsmouth, is at Chesham United. players, such Media Awareness and everything changed. just seven along the way! repeating the formula from last year and The astonishing run came to an end on 10 as former On 10 December last year, Barnet thrashed The major difference has been the strikeforce giving opportunities to several players who March when Millwall beat Barnet 3-1 but the successfully piloted Wycombe, 6-1. A week later they did a similar of first year apprentices George Sykes and have been offered apprenticeships for next Bees immediately buzzed again, clocking up Tottenham Barnet have also been leading the way in another area as their job on Brentford, winning 5-1. Their first Jamal Lowe – who scored 10 and 11 goals season, such as former Tottenham Under-16 two more wins as we went to press to go apprentices have piloted the Media Awareness unit for LFE. They have game back after Christmas saw them beat respectively in that eight game blast – with player Tanasheh Abrahams and England second in the table. Under-16 worked through five tasks over the last few weeks, learning about how Dagenham & Redbridge 4-2. A week later they second-year playmaker Luke Gambin chipping Schoolboys international Tom Fouhy, while player the media works, a footballer’s role in the media, what can be expected put another four past Peterborough. in five of his own. his second years learn about senior football. of you as a player when dealing with the press and public, and training on Tanasheh their interview techniques. The Bees have worked with NVQ Assessor Dan Manzi, Regional Officer Abrahams Gavin Willacy, and club media officer Adam Goldsmith to prepare themselves to interview first team players in April. “The media unit has and England been a great benefit for the lads as it teaches them all about the press Schoolboys and helps them understand the different demands on professional players from newspapers, TV, radio and websites,” explained Manzi. “We are international also trying to give them a flavour of what it is like the other side of the microphone, showing them how to interview each other. If that leads to Tom Fouhy one of the lads pursuing a career in sports journalism at some stage then that would be great.” 12 13 PLAY & TRAIN IN THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY R E : USA SCHOLA SHIP FEATU
Oakland University After graduating with a degree in Psychology up going over to the US about 20 years ago in 1994 he went on to play professionally on a scholarship – I’ve played pro over there Assessment Trials Assistant Coach Andy for the Detroit Neon, Detroit Rockers and and the world doesn’t end just because you’re The next chance for players to showcase Wagstaff explains why Michigan Bucks before more recently turning not playing in England. The lifestyle, facilities their talents in front of USA University Head his hand to coaching. and growing popularity of football or soccer Coaches will be at LFE’s Assessment Trials studying in the USA is now With the number of former Apprentice players as it’s called in the US means everything is next month: geared up to provide the perfect contingency an attractive proposition in the States on the up again thanks in part • 3 May 2012 North Hyde FC to a relaxation of NCAA rules, Wagstaff, a for released Apprentices.” for released Apprentices. recent guest at Create Your Legacy (CYL) The last two years has seen over 30 players • 8 May 2012 South Staines Town FC was inundated by players keen to know leave Football League clubs to cross the • 9 May 2012 Midlands Walsall FC “It’s the lifestyle and the opportunity to live more about life in America. “I was really Atlantic and embark on a new journey overwhelmed at CYL. My aim was to try and and according to LFE’s Alumni Liaison • 10 May 2012 Midlands Loughborough overseas,” says a straight to the point Wagstaff University when recently asked why so many players help each and every lad I spoke to in terms of Officer Simon Williams that trend looks now seem keen to pursue a scholarship at an what they need to do next if they’re serious set to continue: American University. about getting over to the States.” “The word has spread and more and more As someone who has been through the “The important thing for many of them will players have enquired about the USA even trials and tribulations of being an Apprentice be to be responsive. When I say that I mean if earlier this season. This gives them the time player Wagstaff has been there and bought a player doesn’t get a pro deal here he can’t to plan, prepare and find a scholarship before the tee-shirt. Discarded by Bury as an afford to sit and wallow for too long – he’ll the summer so I expect to see a continued 18-year-old, the affable Lancastrian is living miss the boat. Start making contact with Head growth in this area, especially with the cost of proof that as one door closes another opens. Coaches at Universities, register for and take study in the UK increasing.” After leaving Gigg Lane, Wagstaff went on the SAT test and get hold of match footage so trial at a host of Football League clubs before that you have something to show coaches.” accepting a scholarship at Oakland and he With this type of first-hand knowledge of the hasn’t looked back. system it’s little wonder that Wagstaff proved In his four years as a student-athlete Wagstaff a hit with Apprentices at CYL. led the Golden Grizzlies to a national semi- “It probably helps that I’m English and I know final, made an appearance in the NCAA the system over here having been through Championship game and was named in the it – the dream died for me when Bury let me All-Midwest Regional team. go but it’s not the end of the world. You don’t have to be in England to play football. I ended
14 15 p r og ession Gez is
The former West Bromwich Albion “You miss football because it’s been part making defender who has been capped at of your life and daily routine for a period youth level by Northern Ireland left the of time,” said the budding Journalist. www.lfe.org.uk Hawthorns last summer at the end of “That said it hasn’t exactly been hard facebook his two-year Apprenticeship. While some to slip into the student lifestyle and it’s youngsters ponder what to do after helped that I had the period from the headlines full-time football, Mulholland had, end of the season in May to starting Gez Mulholland is determined to write some during his time as a Baggie, started to here in September to adjust myself to develop a keen interest in the media side what was coming.” new headlines for himself after starting a Sports of the game. “The course here is going well “I was in the press box on match-days Journalism degree at Staffordshire University. and you can’t help but learn from helping out the club’s media department from time to time and I started to people like Mitch (Pryce) and realise that this might be for me,” Pete Brookes who have been said Mulholland. there and done it. Those guys “While I was at Albion I got to know command respect and it’s easy to Check out the Mitch Pryce, a respected senior football learn from them.” producer who also heads up the Sports Journalism course at Staffs. After speaking to him I decided to apply for www.lfe.org.uk facebook the course and was lucky enough to LFE team online be accepted. “I think it helps that I’ve obviously been Keep up to date with all the action from League Football Education. at a club as I have industry experience From the latest news and results on twitter and facebook, goal clips on that is probably way ahead of other people my age that said I don’t think YouTube to all the information you need at www.lfe.org.uk. the University would’ve treated my application as seriously if I hadn’t been able to demonstrate that I was hard working and had passed my BTEC with a triple distinction,” added Mulholland. “Gez is a model student and takes With his studies moving in the right a professional attitude to his work,” direction the 19 year-old full-back’s next enthused Course Leader, Pryce. task it to start enjoying his football again “Coming from a football background after enduring an injury hit campaign –
has been a help to him but he is now his first in non-league: League© 2012 Football Education www.lfe.org.uk Designed www.icgonline.co.uk by ICG committed to learning new skills that “I broke my arm in my first game for should equip him for a career in the Sutton Coldfield Town so the season media,” he added. hasn’t panned out as I would’ve While his journey from Halfords Lane to planned. I’ve been on loan at Kidsgrove College Road, Stoke-on-Trent may be little Athletic so I’ve been able to get some games and it’s just a case of playing over forty miles, Mulholland does admit w to missing life at the Hawthorns even if he catch-up and building my match LFEonline LFEonline w www.lfe.org.uk LFEOnlineTV fitness now.” w 16 feels well settled at the University. “The facilities, the way you’re treated, the sponsorships and the travel
Duffy earns arrangements to DUFFY P R OFILE : LUKE matches etc all mimic what it’s like to be a pro in England but you’ve his stripes got to know it’s for you.”
Luke Duffy was welcomed Little did he know that some six years later he “Both Dave Penney and Sean O’Driscoll were He continued; “I told Paul that I wanted to most successful season ever last year. He’s from all over the world so if you come over would be acting in a similar capacity as the probably looking for someone a bit more go to the States and he was able to, through also been ramping up his coaching experience here and act the superstar because you’ve to Doncaster Rovers by Assistant Coach at Lenoir-Rhyne University. robust in League One whereas I tended to his contacts, arrange for someone from Lees with Premier UK Soccer which counts former been at a club it won’t wash. Head of Youth Paul Wilson In between of course his own football cover in behind a lot more and let my taller McRae to come and watch me play. The rest’s Manchester Utd and Blackburn Rovers man “The facilities, the way you’re treated, ambitions have been modified as much by defensive partner go and win headers.” history - I’ve now got a degree in Sports John Curtis amongst its staff. the sponsorships and the travel arrangements in the summer of 2006 as fate as by design. “Having no Reserve Team meant there was Science and am enrolled to start a Masters However while his American dream has to matches etc all mimic what it’s like to be A centre-back by trade his 5ft 10 stature did nowhere to go and I think that Managers Degree in the fall at the same time I start at gone to plan he offers a word of warning a pro in England but you’ve got to know it’s a fresh faced 16-year-old him little favours with the Rovers management tend to look at the gulf between youth and Lenoir-Rhyne. Both will serve me well if I ever to anyone who thinks that going out to the for you. decide to come back to the UK and try to get - with few defenders these days falling below first-team football and make a judgement States is a ‘jolly-up’. “There are some good “I had the added advantage of being at an who had joined the club into PE Teaching. the seemingly compulsory 6ft height mark. on if they can afford to take a chance on players here and the Universities have big NCAA Division Two College that had three straight from school. In addition with no reserve team football on someone – maybe with a striker there’s a “If you’d told me 6 years ago that I’d be where enough budgets to be able to recruit players or four other English players which helped offer (because the club didn’t have one) there lot less to lose but as a defender there’s an I am now I wouldn’t have believed you.” enormously. Without that I’m not so sure I was little chance for the then 18-year-old to obvious reluctance.” Since moving to the States things have gone would’ve stuck it out because there’s a big show that his talents could transfer from youth The Wakefield lad wasn’t that surprised when better than belief for Duffy. A string of difference in culture and attitude between to senior football. he was shown the exit door and quickly re- personal and team accolades was a feature your 18-year-old English lad and American “I think my height and my style of play focussed his energies after a chat with LFE of his time at Lees McRae and he helped lads of the same age.” probably went against me a bit,” said Duffy. Regional Officer Paul Bartlett. semi-pro outfit West Virginia Chaos to their
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