Lordswood boss Metcalf targets top six

Thursday 07th May 2009

LORDSWOOD manager Kevin Metcalf has tonight unveiled plans to turn the Kent League perennial strugglers into a top six force, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Lords' boss has invited current and future players to close-season coaching sessions, starting at the club's Martyn Grove ground at North Dane Way, on Saturday, 30th May (10am).

Former Tunbridge Wells' reserve management team Vince Shell and Brian Curtin have also been unveiled as Lordswood's new reserve team coaching staff.

In a slight coaching shuffle, former Lordswood reserve team manager Steve Arnold has joined Metcalf and Martin Telford as first team coach, while Steve Coates, who assisted Arnold, has been asked to remain with the reserves.

Shell has coached at various levels including Charlton Athletic's development centre, youth development at Ryman League club Ashford Town, scouting for Millwall as well a coaching Brazilian Soccer Schools, the Futebol de Salao Under 17s national squad.

Curtin spent seven years at Great Chart Football Club, before teaming up with Shell at Culverden Stadium.

Metcalf, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk as the news broke tonight, explained why he has brought Shell and Curtin to the club.

"Well, as soon as I saw that they left Tunbridge Wells, I've known Vince for a while, so I've had a long chat with him and persuaded him to come over to Lordswood," he said.

"What we've decided to do at Lordswood is in about three weeks time we're going to start coaching the young lads before we start our pre-season.

"We're putting on some coaching sessions for the boys and we're going to do that for a month to six weeks and then we'll go to the pre-season proper."

Metcalf and Telford, who turned around the fortunes of Tunbridge Wells during their time at Culverden Stadium, says all players are welcome to attend their coaching sessions.

But their aim will be to find gems that are willing to play for the shirt - rather than a brown envelope every week.

"If people want to come along by all means," said Metcalf. "It's at Lordswood Football Club and it's on Saturday, 30th May at 10am.

"It's something that Martin and I have been toying with and knowing Vince and his qualifications, he holds the UEFA B qualification, we've decided there will be five professional coaches at the club now.

"It's coaching, we're not out to do pre-season training. It's just proper coaching sessions for the boys."

When asked if there will be an age limit, Metcalf replied, "No! I would say anyone wants to consider themselves that they can play in the Kent League.

"Personally, the money side of football will be very tight next season so I think there will be more of a level playing field and one of the ideas is at Lordswood there's no money so if we can give them the best coaching facilities then we will attract some players."

Lordswood finished second-from-bottom with six wins and three draws from their 32-match campaign - seven points adrift of Beckenham Town.

Reflecting on last season, Metcalf said, "It was tough, very tough, probably one of the toughest I've ever had in football to be honest."

When asked why, he replied, "Many reasons really. I honestly believe the standard of the Kent League has generally gone up and I think if you take Sporting Bengal out of it, anybody can beat anybody on their day.

"Even the last two or three games that Sporting Bengal played, they had improved a lot, so next season I think it's going to be even better."

Speaking about positives, Metcalf added, "Also, it was one of the most enjoyable as we've produced a few lads. They will be 18-19 and after a season in the Kent League they would have toughened up a little bit."

Metcalf, meanwhile, spoke about his aspirations for next season, and he is setting the club's sights higher than normal.

"My goal will always be top six!" he insisted. "We've now put the infrastructure in. Steve Arnold, the reserve team manager is coming up to help us, he holds the UEFA B coaching certificate.

"There's Martin with a Pro A and Steve and myself with a UEFA B qualification with the first team and Vince and Brian both hold UEFA B licences as well so Lordswood have five qualified coaches so we’ve put the infrastructure in to produce two teams that can compete next season."

The Medway towns are renowned for producing talented footballers in the past and Metcalf wants to continue that trend next season.

He said: "We've had some help last season as well, (Sittingbourne manager) Gary Abbott helped us a couple of times as they haven't got a reserve side.

"The players are out there, the Medway towns is quite a big area to produce plenty of boys."

But Metcalf added that he hasn't closed the door on seasoned Kent League campaigners, adding, "We haven't lost anyone and I think when the names start cropping up who are going to join us, I think there might be a few surprises along the way.

"Obviously with our contacts there are a few of the experienced Kent League players that have already phoned to see if they can come training."

Visit Lordswood's website: www.lordswoodfc.co.uk