Hard work is the secret to success, says Fulham coach
by Alfred
Football is a massive part of Trinity life for most pupils. All 16 teams at the school train and play matches on a weekly basis. Most of the boys dream of playing professionally one day, and one man who knows more than most about the challenges involved in this is Fulham academy coach David Gill.
Mr. Gill works at one of the most exciting football academies in London, and knows just what life is like for young upcoming players who are working towards that professional contract.
It is one thing to say you want to be a professional football player when you are a kid. It is another, to actually make it to the top of the sport.
For him the most important attribute for any young sportsman is work ethic and determination. He said the key to success is ‘Working hard, believing in yourself more than anything else, training hard, often up to six hours a day, and listening to the advice from the coaches. It’s also a lot of practice, as well as taking in advice from other people.’
It is this aspect of development, seeing children working on their skills and techniques and seeing them progress and move through the ages that is the most important part of coaching for Mr Gill.
However, fifty years ago players just let their feet do the talking. Now diet, fitness and nights out all come into consideration and there are other difficulties that face young professional football players.
Mr. Gill works at one of the most exciting football academies in London, and knows just what life is like for young upcoming players who are working towards that professional contract.
It is one thing to say you want to be a professional football player when you are a kid. It is another, to actually make it to the top of the sport.
For him the most important attribute for any young sportsman is work ethic and determination. He said the key to success is ‘Working hard, believing in yourself more than anything else, training hard, often up to six hours a day, and listening to the advice from the coaches. It’s also a lot of practice, as well as taking in advice from other people.’
It is this aspect of development, seeing children working on their skills and techniques and seeing them progress and move through the ages that is the most important part of coaching for Mr Gill.
However, fifty years ago players just let their feet do the talking. Now diet, fitness and nights out all come into consideration and there are other difficulties that face young professional football players.
Working hard, believing in yourself more than anything else, training hard
‘Social media gets out of proportion with what has actually happened,’ said Mr Gill. ‘Sometimes people say stuff, but it is not what has actually been meant. Back in the day there wasn’t social media about so I think that sometimes the best thing to say is nothing at all!’
As well as social media, players have to deal with the high expectations of the fans.
After Fulham’s relegation many Fulham fans were outraged and upset. It is a different story for the players. After all, it is a career and a living for the players, whereas for the fans it is just a Saturday afternoon out.
‘When relegation happens,’ said Mr Gill, ‘some players stay, some players go, a lot of it depends on the club’s structure and wages. Relegation can affect the clubs in lots of different ways. Getting relegated causes a massive hole in the club. You do have to look at staffing and if the clubs haven’t got the power to keep those people any more… it is very difficult.’
However not all of it is bad. Despite the fear of relegation, millions of fans watch football every week and Mr Gill is no different.
‘I was a Crystal Palace fan as a kid,’ said Mr Gill. ‘My Dad was a coach at Crystal Palace for 10 years so he used to take me to the training ground where I used to see Ian Wright training every day when I was younger. He was my idol.
‘Another one who wasn’t anything to do with Crystal Palace but I just loved watching play, was Paul Gascoigne.’
There are many exciting young talents at Trinity, who Mr Gill could be coaching right now. Could we be seeing a new footballing legend emerging?
As well as social media, players have to deal with the high expectations of the fans.
After Fulham’s relegation many Fulham fans were outraged and upset. It is a different story for the players. After all, it is a career and a living for the players, whereas for the fans it is just a Saturday afternoon out.
‘When relegation happens,’ said Mr Gill, ‘some players stay, some players go, a lot of it depends on the club’s structure and wages. Relegation can affect the clubs in lots of different ways. Getting relegated causes a massive hole in the club. You do have to look at staffing and if the clubs haven’t got the power to keep those people any more… it is very difficult.’
However not all of it is bad. Despite the fear of relegation, millions of fans watch football every week and Mr Gill is no different.
‘I was a Crystal Palace fan as a kid,’ said Mr Gill. ‘My Dad was a coach at Crystal Palace for 10 years so he used to take me to the training ground where I used to see Ian Wright training every day when I was younger. He was my idol.
‘Another one who wasn’t anything to do with Crystal Palace but I just loved watching play, was Paul Gascoigne.’
There are many exciting young talents at Trinity, who Mr Gill could be coaching right now. Could we be seeing a new footballing legend emerging?