It is often said that grassroots football is all about people, so we decided to find out a bit more about the people behind Signol Athletic Football Club by interviewing coaches, parents, players, sponsors and committee members starting with Boothy, a.k.a. Chris Booth, coach of the Signol Ladies Under 14 team.
How long have you been a coach at Signol Athletic Football Club?
I’ve been a coach for the last four years at Signol.
Why did you become a football coach?
Because I took my little girl to training, she enjoyed it and then I thought I want a bit of this. It’s brought us closer together.
What advice would you give to anyone that’s thinking of becoming a coach?
Do it! It’s hand on heart the best thing I’ve done. Even doing the coaching training course, I absolutely loved it. It’s like I had a week off work in my footy kit learning about football and I actually watch football totally differently now to how I used to.
What’s the best thing about coaching?
Basically nowadays it’s where we’ve come from and where we are today, just seeing the girls all progress .
Besides football what other sports do you like?
Golf , anything sporty really. I’ll have a go at anything. I might not be the best at it, but I’ll have a go at anything.
Did you play for Signol Athletic as a kid?
Yes
What position did you play?
Striker
Were you any good?
I like to think I was, but I don’t know.
What’s better playing or coaching?
When I’m coaching, sometimes I wish I was on the pitch, but there’s two sides to it. I still play at the minute as well. I love them both the same to be fair.
What’s your best bit of advice to anybody interested in playing football?
Do it. Give it a go. Even if you don’t think that you’re the most talented or anything, give it a go. It’s not about trying to be a professional footballer but all them now [pointing at his team] are all a bunch of friends, which they have been for the last four years. It’s not all about football, it’s not all about results. It’s about friendship. It’s not being on an XBox, it’s coming out and meeting friends, because you meet loads of friends through football.
What’s your best memory of Signol Athletic either as a player or as a coach?
My best memory of Signol is getting to the cup final in our first year with the girls. Even though we lost, it was a special day.
