FAiling Our Footballers

About the Book

'They [the FA] thought I was going to change it [English football] lock, stock and barrel. They were shrewd because that's exactly what I would have done'  - Brian Clough.

The great man back in 1977 knew the very foundations of football needed to change but he was denied the opportunity despite his vision and brilliance. More than 30 years on and we still can't make a positive impression on the football world stage. It might be argued that egos, vested interests and entrenched positions have been responsible for the debacle that is often the English national football team and English sport as a whole.

Shaw and Atkin attempt, in this book, to provide the catalyst to bring the late Master's words into reality whilst recognising, as Shaw puts it, that 'They [The FA] need more people like us to ignore'.

About the Author

Shaw and Atkin are both passionate lovers of football and though neither were able to break into the professional ranks as players they have enjoyed many years in coaching young players. Shaw worked as a coach at the Notts County Centre of Excellence until a serious health issue and the closure of the development centre meant an end to his professional coaching duties.

Atkin, however, developed his own successful soccer school based on his rationale of skills development and ball retention ability. Some of his young students were welcomed into professional clubs and are now trying to make their way in the game.

Shaw and Atkin are firm friends with a mutual belief of how the beautiful game should be played. They encourage their young players to play with and look after the football never to just 'get it forward' or 'get rid of it'. They coach flair and expression into players not out of them and believe they can change the way English players are coached so that in years to come they might bridge the technical gap between England and other developed and developing football nations.