Posts From Les Reed

Les Reed
Les Reed 3 posts

Les is former manager of Charlton Athletic FC, Technical Director at the FA and Technical Director at Fulham FC. Now works around the world with his company, Sports Associated Solutions Ltd.

Fabio,’where’s your Scholesy’?

It was at a summer barbecue 10 years ago in a friend’s garden when my son Daniel dribbled past an array of international defenders, eliminated Mathew Upson playing a one-two with Teddy Sherringham and smashed the ball past a floundering Sasa Ilic in the plastic mini goal. Martin Keown remonstrated with his co defenders and Paul Konchesky simply laughed

Who Coaches the Coaches ?

Following my recent post on the National Football Centre, a serious issue is raised regarding the future development of English coaches. I would suggest that we have decent coaches and many young , enthusiastic coaches. I have observed them in Academies and club community schemes. I have also seen many cases of good practice at the grass roots level. Player centred coaches who crave further development but find the current system cumbersome and expensive.

The National Football Centre, St Georges Park – White Elephant?

The F.A. is of course bidding for a world cup and appears to have done a ‘U’ turn when they have had little interest since 2005. David Sheepshanks, has always been a supporter and the centre played a big part in his manifesto to become Chairman of the F.A. Time has seen Sir Trevor’s view change from skeptic to champion, he was not in favour when the project was mothballed. Having been one of the originators of the project and member of the National Football Centre Ltd Board and succeeding Howard Wilkinson as project leader I am of course delighted at this turnaround