New International Team Manager: Part 2

Tuesday 13 July 2010By ESFA Office

Last Updated:
10/02/2021 10:49:09

Andy Williams

England Manager

The start of the 2010-2011 season will see Andy Williams take over the reins as the Manager of the England Schools’ Under 18 International team. Read on for Andy’s answers to questions posed by ESFA’s Mike Spinks in Part 2 of this interview…

Mike Spinks (MS): What happens when an International Match takes place?

Andy Williams (AW): For home games we travel across England by train. For away matches in Scotland and Ireland we fly. All travel is arranged for the players. They usually set off from their homes in the morning the day before a game. After arrival at the hotel we are staying in we take lunch together. This will be followed by an intense afternoon coaching session when the starting XI is usually announced and we run through some patterns of play and set pieces. After evening dinner we will have a short seminar and discuss the game plan we hope to deploy.

The morning of the game is low key. Usually there would be a lie in and late breakfast followed by a brief swim or occasionally a visit to the stadium to orientate ourselves. Then it’s back to the hotel for lunch and a lie down during the afternoon. Three hours prior to the match kick off we will have a pre-match meal, usually cereal and toast, before travelling to the game.

MS: How much help do you get in running the ESFA U18 International Team?

AW: Let me just say I’ve got the easiest job! I just turn up and coach the team! There is a massive support system to get to where we get to, support I could not do without. Obviously there are the County Associations that do all the ground work in identifying and nominating trialists. This is co-ordinated by John Read, the ESFA Chief Executive, with the support of Sue Gifford and a great team at the ESFA office in Stafford. There is a very experienced Selection Committee who help to organise the regional trials and regional games and they are co-ordinated by ESFA Council Member Dave Woollaston. There is a large coaching team; we have our regional coaches who coach at the trials and trial games, and then there is my team – my Assistant Manager Andy Buckignham, my goalkeeping coach Shaun Hemmings, the physiotherapist Dave Burns and the doctor, Arthur Tabor.

MS: Where are the internationals in 2011 likely to be played?

AW: The fixture list is yet to be finalised, but what we do know at the moment is that we will tour the United States in February for two fixtures, one in Los Angeles and one in San Diego hopefully against Mexico. We also have two home internationals against Wales (possibly at Yeovil Town) and Northern Ireland and two away internationals against Scotland in Inverness and the Republic of Ireland. Beyond that I don’t know at this time.

MS: The players you deal with in your U18 International Squad will all be taking exams at the end of the next school year. How important are these?

AW: Playing football at this level is an unexpected bonus. Most or all of the players will be studying to gain a University place or a football scholarship in the United States, so their exams are extremely important. We always encourage the boys to apply themselves as well as they can with their academic studies. When we are away on international duty, particularly on tour, we always try and set enough time aside for them to put some hours in.

MS: When you look back on your first season as International Team Manager what will determine whether it’s been successful or not?

AW: Simple – success will be a spirit in the camp where the players aspire to greatness and play for the team. They are all talented players, so if we achieve that, then the likelihood is the players will play well and we will win games. Or that’s the plan anyway! So ultimately, success will be the strength of the TEAM. I will always select team players ahead of individuals as experience tells me that is a better foundation for success.

MS: During your time with the ESFA have there been any players who have made it into the world of professional soccer?

AW: Yes of course, quite a number. It’s really encouraging to see because you can imagine many of the boys in our system still harbour designs of making a career in football. I’m not going to name names because I don’t think that’s fair.

MS: Do you support any particular football team yourself, besides England, of course?

AW: I think I’ve already answered that question! I support any team my son Alex plays for, but I do have a soft spot for Barcelona, as I’m sure do many others!

MS: Many thanks for sparing the time to answer my questions Andy and may I wish you the best of luck for the season ahead with the ESFA Under 18 team. I’ll leave you in peace to return to your most important work – with the children, staff and governors of Moorfield Primary School.

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