Football Focus Issue 73 | Page 90

Linton Granta FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/FOOTYFOCUSMAG Linton Granta L FOOTBALL CLUB inton Granta FC is a club that is progressing at all levels and are working hard in pre-season to make sure they are well prepared for the new campaign. Football Focus Magazine recently caught up with club representative Ben De’Ath to find out more. Involvement He told us, “I joined the club as a player ten years ago. My main attraction to the club was because the majority of my friends and school mates growing up played, it was the obvious choice and it was where I knew I would enjoy my football most. We have played together ever since and this all culminated in winning the Kershaw Premier League in 2012 under the management of Adam Norton, also a good friend.” The Role “Having been Assistant Manager now for three years the role does throw up all sorts of challenges from getting the most out of players, helping the manager 90 Issue 73 in any way I can and overseeing training week in, week out. I would say my most important role is keeping the training varied and challenging but primarily enjoyable for all players. I try to make sure that the exercises and things we work on at training vary from week to week but we always have a plan of why we train on certain aspects of the game and set attainable goals. Included in this is bringing on the young players at the club and including them from the reserves and A team in first team exercises like keep ball or small sided games as often as possible. Giving the young players a taste of playing at this level is targeted at their development but giving them confidence on and off the pitch.” The Rewards “This then ties in with the most rewarding parts of the role; developing players of any age into better footballers but also better people off the pitch. We are definitely a community football club which welcomes any player of any age and ability. Of course our aim is to win and we always play the ball on the floor no matter the state of the pitch (often to our detriment) so when we have an excellent result that feels very satisfying of course but seeing one of our younger players break through into the first team squad, everyone who follows and plays for the club enjoys that most.”