Howard Wilkinson to join Roy Massey on special occasion in Sheffield on 27th October

 

RIVERSIDE CAFÉ 6.30pm on Friday 27^th October

Two of England’s great coaches to speak in Hillsborough on a unique Sheffield evening

Opponents on the pitch in the 1960s, South Yorkshire lads Howard Wilkinson and Roy Massey were to play key roles off it in a football revolution that meant professional clubs began recruiting youngsters as young as eight to join Academies in 1998. The impact has been to raise standards to levels previously regarded as unimaginable.

Now, on 27th October at 6.30pm at the Riverside Café – Bar and Terrace – just 100 yards from Hillsborough – both men will be coming along to speak about their work and answer questions about the coaching of young footballers and football generally. Also on sale will be Roy Massey’s autobiography:  A Life in Football and a coach to the stars.

In the late 60s Howard Wilkinson, who had obtained his full FA coaching badge at 21, and Roy Massey faced each other when Brighton clashed with Leyton Orient.

Wilkinson was to go on to manage Notts County and Sheffield Wednesday, for whom Massey’s grandad Jimmy won the FA Cup in 1896, and Leeds Utd where he won and became the last English manager to win the League Championship. In 1997 the Football Association appointed Howard Wilkinson to be the FA’s first ever Technical Director tasked with the challenge of creating a new and revolutionary youth development system. Howard is now chairman of the League Managers’ Association which Graham Taylor and he created in 1992.

Cynics proved wrong

Howard introduced the FA’s ‘Charter for Quality’, which revolutionised youth football in England. Clubs – as had been the case in Europe for decades could recruit and develop young players from the age of eight. Cynics at the time said the plan was doomed to failure. However, he persisted and devised the plan to create and develop some of the best players in the world.

The benefit of having that plan and sticking to it has led to some of the best youth developers and some of the best players in the world.

Massey enjoys 16 years of success at the Arsenal Academy

Regulations for the academies were duly drawn up. Massey was asked in March 1998 by Liam Brady, head of youth development at Arsenal, to oversee the recruitment, coaching and managing of 8 to 12-year-olds at the new Arsenal Academy.

Massey, who had qualified as a PE teacher before becoming a professional player, was to enjoy great success over the next 16 years and helping to bring through a large number of players such as Jack Wilshere that made it to the very top. Massey had earlier helped in a series of part time roles bring through a number of stars at Colchester United and Norwich City.

The event, which is free, is open to accompanied young people. The doors open at 6.30pm and is at:-

Riverside Cafe, 88 Catch Bar Lane S6 ITA.

Roy Massey’s autobiography is £20 and will be available on the night.

For further details ring Mark Metcalf 07392 852561 metcalfmc@outlook.com