We caught up with a few of the coaches to ask them some questions about their time in football, share some of their experiences and memories from their coaching and or playing journey.
David Patton
Favourite team?
Liverpool
What in the first instance made you get involved volunteering?
Jamie Selfridge’s persistence. My boy plays in the 2008s and I have resisted getting involved to allow him to find his own way. But due to the other coach Darren not always being able to make the match I agreed to help out at the matches. However I have found myself finding it hard to stay away from the midweek session as well.
How long are you volunteering/coaching youth football?
Just started this season.
Describe yourself in three words?
Old and retired 😜
What team and age group are you currently coaching?
2008 Coleraine Colts
What is your coaching/volunteering highlight to date?
I’ve only been involved a few months so not much has happened yet. The 2008 Colts team has saw players from Berties, Coleraine Olympic and Stranocum come together and also move from 9 a side to 11 a side. This can be hard but the understanding is getting better all the time and the more they train and play together they will only improve.
What are your coaching plans for your team?
With so much uncertainty with COVID it’s hard to know how things will develop over the next few months but my only aim is to help the boys in the 2008 Colts develop and improve.
What is your most said phrase to the kids on Saturday?
Pass Pass Pass
If you could sign any player in the World for your team who would it be and why?
The obvious answer is Messi, best ever but I would say Sadio Mane. Great ability but an even better team player, strong as an ox and works so hard for the team. A great example to the kids of what is required to make the grade.
Stevie McCann
Favourite team?
Coleraine FC followed closely by Glenavon FC
What in the first instance made you get involved volunteering?
With football it was when Scott my son started playing, so I have been coaching around 20 years now.
Describe yourself in three words?
Old, Bald, Unfit LOL
What team and age group are you currently coaching?
2008 NIBFA Squad
What is your coaching/volunteering highlight to date?
Coaching highlight to date was with the 2001 Squad winning the NIBFA Cup, League Cup and Subsidiary Shield all in the one season, with a group of very talented players, who were also great young men. It was a privilege to have coached them.
What are your coaching plans for your team?
My plans for the 2008 squad is to see them develop not only as footballers but as responsible young men. I have my UEFA ‘A’ Licence so from a personal point of view it is to continue to learn and develop as a coach. Hopefully in 2021 we can return to some form of normality and the 2008 Squad get to play in the SupercupNI.
What is your most said phrase to the kids on a Saturday?
Shape, Shape, Shape, give him options.
If you could sign any player in the World for your team who would it be and why?
Dessie Dickson, because if even half the stories Tommy Doc tells me about him scoring goals he would be worth his weight in gold today.
John Neill
Favourite team?
Liverpool
What in the first instance made you get involved volunteering?
I started off helping at Soccer School and then after a lot of pressure from John Gregg I agreed to help with my son’s team.
How long are you volunteering/coaching youth football?
2 years
Describe yourself in three words?
Nearly retired defender
What team and age group are you currently coaching?
Coleraine Olympic 2011s
What is your coaching/volunteering highlight to date?
Seeing how far the team have progressed in their short time together. They had a baptism of fire in first few months of the HGF but have learned so much.
What are your coaching plans for your team?
I would like to progress as far as I can in my coaching badges. Would like to see a 2011 team in the Foyle Cup.
What is your most said phrase to the kids on Saturday?
Don’t be scared to make a mistake and most importantly go and enjoy it.
If you could sign any player in the world for your team who would it be and why?
Mo Salah. Natural goal scorer.
What advice would you give to our young players to get through the next few weeks and months?
I’ve already told them to keep ticking over by doing wall passes, keepy ups and try and get a wee run in there.
Chris Homes
Favourite team:
Liverpool
What in the first instance made you get involved volunteering?
My son
How long are you volunteering/coaching youth football?
18 months
Describe yourself in three words:
Honest, loyal & trustworthy
What team and age group are you currently coaching?
2013 Coleraine Peacocks
What is your coaching/volunteering highlight to date?
2013’s playing their 1st match last month
What are your coaching plans for your team?
To get my coaching badges
What is your most said phrase to the kids on Saturday?
Well done
If you could sign any player in the world for your team who would it be and why?
Virgel Van Dyke because he gives another 10% to each of his team mates
What advice would you give to our young players to get through the next few weeks and months?
Get out into the fresh air and play football “we don’t need coaches and cones to enjoy football”
Shairee McVey
Favourite team?
Man United 🙈🙈
What in the first instance made you get involved volunteering?
Was actually at Ballymoney, I was dropping the niece, Skye down for training, ended up staying, they then asked if I wanted to help take the sessions, so I did and then entered them into the friendship league on Friday Nights. Always did help with our seniors, doing warm ups etc but once the 13s, 15s and 17 girls got up and running I began helping there.
How long are you volunteering/coaching youth football?
Good 5/6 years with Coleraine FC
Describe yourself in three words?
Competitive, unorganised, easygoing
What team and age group are you currently coaching?
Coleraine Girls Under 17s
What is your coaching/volunteering highlight to date?
Highlight was last year, girls playing Glentoran in the final of the plate, we didn’t win, but the game had everything and most of the girls enjoyed it, Kyle also helps me out, the pair of us literally kicked every ball with them.
What are your coaching plans for your team?
I’d like to continue on and get few more badges behind me, but main target is keeping the girls running so we can feEd the senior team, girls football is hard work especially as you move up the age groups, keeping them interested is a full time job 😂😂😂
What is your most said phrase to the kids on Saturday?
Find feet, press and get a foot in.
If you could sign any player in the world for your team who would it be and why?
I’d be happy to sign a few more locals so I’m not stressing match nights if we have enough 😂😂😂
What advice would you give to our young players to get through the next few weeks and months?
Take care, stay safe, but keep fit and active, if not for us getting the go ahead but for themselves, exercise, even a walk does wonders for our mental health.