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What are the rules of football?
The main aim is to score goals! Be careful
with your challenges, don’t use your hands
and listen to the referee.
What’s the most important thing you have
to do as an aspiring footballer?
A lot of dedication and hard work, you’ve
got to give yourself time to recover as well
– lots of stretches and rest to prevent
injuries. Work on your skills all the time.
Training, practicing your skills – after
school or at the weekend rather than
sitting inside watching TV and playing on
the computer, get outside and practice
your kick-ups, practice your skills – your
shooting.
Who’s the best player you’ve ever played
against?
I did actually play against Darren Ramsey,
who plays for Wales these days. I was
playing for Merthyr at the time, I was 18
and we got drawn to play against Cardiff
City who Ramsey played for at that time.
moved their whole family up there and
bought them a house, supporting all the
children to go to private school so it’s a
great opportunity for him.
Who do you think has upgraded the most
in your time as a coach?
There’s a couple of players. A lot of players
who start with us who might not be used to
be playing in a team, so they’re good
individually and have a lot of skill so can
dribble and shoot, but we’re want them to
work as a team and realise that sometimes
it’s better to pass the ball and move
around.
What’s the best energy food to have
before playing?
You’re meant to try and eat a big bowl of
pasta – not too close to the game, but if
you’ve got say a 3pm kick-off you want to be
eating some pasta the night before, and in
the morning eat a good big breakfast. Some
sausages, bacon, toast (the carbohydrates
give you energy), a banana. Ready for when
you go on the pitch – these days you can get
sachets to drink during the game, but plenty
of water too as you have to stay hydrated
Have you coached anyone that has
become famous now?
Not yet, because a lot of the players that I
coached when I spent time in the Academy
were only 7 – 8 years of age at the time. So
now they’re coming up to the age 16-17
where they might make it into the big
leagues. One of those players has just been
signed by Manchester City, and they’ve
How do children end up in the Academy?
Usually the children will take part in a trial,
you have to play for a local team and
perhaps a scout will come out and spot you
and suggest you go for a trial. The younger
you start playing and being part of your local
team is the best way. You’ve got to give
yourself time off too, and do it because you
enjoy it – then just see what happens.