Herne Bay Youth FC
Club News
Interview with a Manager
In the first of what will hopefully be a new feature, Andy Anelay manager of our Girls U15s and more recently coaching U6s was asked a few questions.
What is your second favourite football team, and why?
Liverpool Reserves. On a serious note it would have to be West Ham, not sure of the reason really, just always liked the way they play. Oh, and HBY FC U15 girls!
What is your earliest memory of football, from a playing perspective?
Playing in goal for the primary school team when I was still only 9.
What was your most memorable game as a player?
In senior school, my years team had never won the league but over the years we had got closer and closer. In my final year we were joint top with the local catholic High school. Our last game was away to the Catholic high on quite a windy day. I scored 3 goals direct from corners (assisted by the wind) to win the school the league for the first time in many years.
What made you get involved in youth coaching?
My daughter played for the U11 Reserves (now U15 colts) and at the end of the season there was no team for her to go to as the girls were no longer allowed to play mixed football. Myself and Gary Tulett whose daughter played for one of the other U11 teams were approached about starting a girls team which is what we did and the first girls team entered the East Kent youth league in season 2008/09 at U12’s.
What would you say your coaching philosophy/vision is?
Now this is a very difficult question to answer without going on for pages but in a nutshell:
My coaching philosophy is to take players how I find them, and improve them both as a player and as a person. I want to help strengthen them in the following three areas:
Self-confidence
Self-discipline
Competitiveness
As well as helping to improve their footballing ability.
Being able to hit a 40 yard pass to a team mate will not help them outside of football whereas the three areas above will help in whatever it is they choose to do.
Work hard, have fun. Prepare them to achieve in and out of sport. Lead them, teach them, like them.
What are your goals for the players within your team? What do you hope to achieve?
Quite simple really, “To help each player reach the standard they want to reach and which they are capable of reaching, to ensure they continue to love the game and always that they have fun.”
From the day I started I wanted to turn a group of individuals into a “Team”, to help them mature both as players and as people, to help them build lifelong friendships with their team mates and to hopefully in 5 to 10 years’ time, still have a group of people who love the game and are still some way or other actively taking part.
This season I think I have “achieved” the first bit. The team spirit the girls have and the love they have for each other is something you just cannot coach, it is something that builds overtime and this season more than any other it has shone through both at training and matches.
What one thing would you change about Mini Soccer /11 A Side / 9 v 9 if you could?
I would remove the goal keeper at U7 and U8 and replace the goal with small “targets” to encourage a low pass into goal. How many times have you seen 6 and 7 year old goal keepers get upset or a parent or player laughing if he drops it or it goes through his legs. If not this then a “retreat” line, when the goal keeper has the ball the opposition has to “retreat” behind the line to give the team in possession of the ball the opportunity to play the ball. How many goals in mini soccer are scored because the goalkeeper has problems kicking it out?
At what age do you think children should be played in a regular position?
I would say when they start senior school but a lot depends on how long they have been involved in football. For example someone who has been playing organised football since year R would have a better idea of where they feel comfortable playing over someone who had only been playing since say year 4.
Is there anything you really dislike doing as a manager/coach of a team?
When the girls were playing mini soccer, putting the goals up in freezing/wet weather. When they moved to 9 v 9, putting up/taking down the nets, although this season we are lucky as we play at spires and the nets are up permanently!
What is your favourite place to play away at for your youth football team?
Do not really have a favourite, but I hate Jacky Bakers!
If you could spend a very significant amount of money on behalf of HBY FC, what would you buy?
A massive piece of land so we could build a proper “Home” for HBY FC.
Liverpool Reserves. On a serious note it would have to be West Ham, not sure of the reason really, just always liked the way they play. Oh, and HBY FC U15 girls!
What is your earliest memory of football, from a playing perspective?
Playing in goal for the primary school team when I was still only 9.
What was your most memorable game as a player?
In senior school, my years team had never won the league but over the years we had got closer and closer. In my final year we were joint top with the local catholic High school. Our last game was away to the Catholic high on quite a windy day. I scored 3 goals direct from corners (assisted by the wind) to win the school the league for the first time in many years.
What made you get involved in youth coaching?
My daughter played for the U11 Reserves (now U15 colts) and at the end of the season there was no team for her to go to as the girls were no longer allowed to play mixed football. Myself and Gary Tulett whose daughter played for one of the other U11 teams were approached about starting a girls team which is what we did and the first girls team entered the East Kent youth league in season 2008/09 at U12’s.
What would you say your coaching philosophy/vision is?
Now this is a very difficult question to answer without going on for pages but in a nutshell:
My coaching philosophy is to take players how I find them, and improve them both as a player and as a person. I want to help strengthen them in the following three areas:
Self-confidence
Self-discipline
Competitiveness
As well as helping to improve their footballing ability.
Being able to hit a 40 yard pass to a team mate will not help them outside of football whereas the three areas above will help in whatever it is they choose to do.
Work hard, have fun. Prepare them to achieve in and out of sport. Lead them, teach them, like them.
What are your goals for the players within your team? What do you hope to achieve?
Quite simple really, “To help each player reach the standard they want to reach and which they are capable of reaching, to ensure they continue to love the game and always that they have fun.”
From the day I started I wanted to turn a group of individuals into a “Team”, to help them mature both as players and as people, to help them build lifelong friendships with their team mates and to hopefully in 5 to 10 years’ time, still have a group of people who love the game and are still some way or other actively taking part.
This season I think I have “achieved” the first bit. The team spirit the girls have and the love they have for each other is something you just cannot coach, it is something that builds overtime and this season more than any other it has shone through both at training and matches.
What one thing would you change about Mini Soccer /11 A Side / 9 v 9 if you could?
I would remove the goal keeper at U7 and U8 and replace the goal with small “targets” to encourage a low pass into goal. How many times have you seen 6 and 7 year old goal keepers get upset or a parent or player laughing if he drops it or it goes through his legs. If not this then a “retreat” line, when the goal keeper has the ball the opposition has to “retreat” behind the line to give the team in possession of the ball the opportunity to play the ball. How many goals in mini soccer are scored because the goalkeeper has problems kicking it out?
At what age do you think children should be played in a regular position?
I would say when they start senior school but a lot depends on how long they have been involved in football. For example someone who has been playing organised football since year R would have a better idea of where they feel comfortable playing over someone who had only been playing since say year 4.
Is there anything you really dislike doing as a manager/coach of a team?
When the girls were playing mini soccer, putting the goals up in freezing/wet weather. When they moved to 9 v 9, putting up/taking down the nets, although this season we are lucky as we play at spires and the nets are up permanently!
What is your favourite place to play away at for your youth football team?
Do not really have a favourite, but I hate Jacky Bakers!
If you could spend a very significant amount of money on behalf of HBY FC, what would you buy?
A massive piece of land so we could build a proper “Home” for HBY FC.
Have you seen these?
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Fantastic interview Andy, well done!
Thanks Claire. It took me a while and many rewrites before I was happy with my responses. See you Saturday.
I enjoyed reading your answers Andy and hope other Managers’ participate. I’m afraid I have to disagree with your idea of doing away with a goalie at U7 and U8; although I do think your notion of a “retreat” line has some major plus points – Not necessarily for just the keepers sake, but this would also go a long way to helping the whole team understand that a series of easy passes starting from the goalie is difficult to play against if practised regularly. Too many young goalkeepers are told to kick the ball long and if they can’t, a team mate is often called upon to take the goal kicks. You are right Andy; these attempted long ball efforts often end up with goals being conceded. I watched Mark Roberts under 10’s at the start of the season and was really impressed with how they started their build up play from their goalie, who never once tried to kick the ball long. Looking at how well they’re doing this season, it seems to be working.
Steve,
I'll try and find wiling volunteers and may even pick on a few parents too.
The retreat line is something that is going forward as a proposal to the FA in the latest plans by the Development Lead, Nick Levett. Have a look in the documents section of the website for an excellent summary of the changes proposed, which I'm sure will mostly be adopted.
He nicked my idea then!
Fantastic interview well done Andy
Thanks Lisa
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