Tosh Farrell-Everton FC with First Touch Coaches.
Our dedicated team of coaches, combining youth and experience, work closely together to ensure our organisation of coaching is of the highest standards. We have an age appropriate comprehensive technical programme which has a guided repetition style of coaching where players are exposed to a number of technical sessions on a consistent basis. The sessions replicate situations which occur during games, specific to a player’s general role on the filed. We mix technical ball warm ups with small sided games during our sessions and a large emphasis is placed on the development of the “whole player”.
Des McCole
07903815779
Coaching Qualifications
SFA “B” License
Coaching in the Game
FA Level 1 Psychology in Football
Child Protection in Sport Level 1
Safeguarding and Protecting Children
Playing Experience
Gourock Amateurs 1978-1995
Club Chairman, Des has almost 20 years experience of amateur football and is one of the founders of First Touch. Des says “I really enjoy seeing the players mature. They come in when they are very nervous, through to them gaining in confidence. To watch them perform in games, beating someone with a step over or making a great pass or scoring a goal, gives me a great deal of personal satisfaction. Knowing that I have had some influence on their development gives me a great feeling of personal satisfaction.”
John McClurg
07713 643599
Coaching Qualifications
SFA “B, D, E & G”
Coaching in the Game
Child Protection in Sport
Level 1 & 2
Appointed Persons First Aid Certificate
Playing Experience
Port Glasgow Rangers 72-76
Port Glasgow Rovers 76-78
Kilmarnock FC 78-84
Morton FC 84-85
Pollok 85-86
Cambuslang Rangers 86-87
Largs Thistle 87-90
Club Secretary, John, is another co-founder of First Touch and enjoyed a successful playing career with Kilmarnock FC for 6 years during more than 20 years as a footballer. “When it is time for the youngsters to leave us, I feel a great deal of personal satisfaction, as I have been able to measure their development from the ages of 6 through to 11 or 12. I have always been fortunate to work with a fantastic bunch of kids who are always willing to learn, and their behaviour has been exemplary both on and off the park.”
Davie Jamieson
01475 638747
Coaching Qualifications
E – Early Touches
D – Development
Coaching Young Footballers
Coaching in the Game
Courses
Child Protection Level 1-
In Safe Hands
Children 1st First Aid -
Valid to Feb 2010
Playing Experience
Co-op B 1971-1972
Shamrock BC 1973-1974
Pele Athletic 1975-1977
Port Juniors 1978-1982
Pollok Juniors 1983-1990
A Scottish Junior Cup medallist and boasting the worst joke collection in the club, David is also our Child Protection Officer and a member of our management committee. “Kids love fun and football. I am very aware of the responsibilities we have to provide a welcoming and safe environment within which our players enjoy their coaching.”
Des McColl
07804371268
Coaching Qualifications
SFA Level 1 & Level 2
SFA Level 1 Early Touches
Child Protection in Sport
Level 1 & 2
Appointed Persons First Aid Certificate
Playing Experience
Inverkip Thistle 1988- 1992
Whinhill 1992-1994
Des shows terrific enthusiasm and interest in developing our approach to coaching. He says there is nothing more satisfying than to work with the kids during various stages of the coaching programme and then watch them apply what they have learned in a game situation.
John Hampsey
07944061993
Coaching Qualifications
SFA Level 1 Early Touches
Child Protection in Sport Level 1
Playing Experience
Still waiting for a team to make me the right offer
John is the club Treasurer and still waiting on the right offer before considering his next playing career move (he is over 40!). John sees at first hand, the progress each player makes from one stage to the next as he moves around and often coaches them as they progress through the club. “ I am always delighted by the enthusiasm and energy that the players show and am never disappointed by the skills that they demonstrate. It is an enjoyable role to be a coach when you see such good talent that you are working with.”
Ben Barrs
07815047557
Coaching Qualifications
SFA Level 1 Early Touches
SFA Level 2
Playing Experience
10 years right half for Caddlehill Street in West of Scotland Churches league – does that count?
Before Ben joined as a coach, he was around First Touch as the dad of Adam & Matthew, former and current players, respectively. Not only is he a main source of providing new members, he is also actively involved in our self funding activities. All that aside, he can also be credited with playing for 10 years at right half in the West of Scotland Churches league and feels he has found his true calling by transferring his skills and knowledge to our Under 11′s.
Mick Harrington
07747156340
Coaching Qualifications
SFA Level 1 & 2
Scottish Athletics Coach Level 1
Playing Experience
Inverkip Thistle 1989-1992,
Gourock Ex-Service 1992-1996,
Whinhill, IBM and Inverclyde Amatuers 1996-2002
A keen amateur player in his day, Mick is also our resident fitness coach and is responsible for putting our players through their paces on Sunday mornings before their normal coaching football sessions. A well known “veteran” athlete himself, Mick concentrates on improving pace and stamina and provides appropriate fitness training that can be transferred into the game situation. “ It is really refreshing to be part of an organisation that truly concentrates on teaching core skills and techniques and then to watch football being played the way it should be played.”
07932 675694
Coaching Qualifications
Children’s Pathway
level 1 – early touches, level 2 – coaching in the game
Youth Pathway
level 1-Development activities
Child Protection
safeguarding and protection of chilren
Playing experience
Gourock yac 2003-2010, St andrews 2010-present
A very enthusiastic young coach, full of enthusiasm to learn from the old masters. May choose to go down the road of coaching when he leaves education. Mark works with two of our most experienced coaches Bidge Clark and Des McCole
Ross Gourdie
Coaching Qualifications
SFA Level 1, 2, 3 & 4(Childrens Pathway)
SFA Level 1 & 2(Youth Pathway)
Scottish National Sports First Aid Certificate
Ross coached Port Glasgow Select Boys Club U14-U17 yrs from 2007-2010
Playing Experience
Royal Air Force 1995-1999.
Inverkip Thistle 2005-Present.
Prior to joining Firsth Touch, Ross’ coaching experience was with teenage players. Since joining First Touch in 2009, Ross has coached group 4 (2002s). He has found the move to the 9 year age group a refreshing experience…”the kids eagerness to learn and take in the information being coached to improve their playing techniques, gives me immense satisfaction”. Ross recently successfully completed the SFA Level 4 Basic Childrens Award.
Evan Philips07530 812490
Coaching Qualifications
SFA Level 1&2.(Childrens Pathway)
Playing Experience
As a local primary school teacher Evan has spent several years coaching and assisting in the development of football within the school environment. “I joined First Touch because I was impressed with their structured and progressional set up, I liked how each coach knew their players and tailored coaching sessions to best meet the needs of their players.” As a teacher who has a passion for “the game” Evan enjoys helping motivate and watch players fulfil their potential. Evan is another newcomer who joined First Touch last season and has been very instumental in setting up all age groups to join the Johnstone & District leagues for the very first time this season .
William “Bidge” Clark Coaching Qualifications
SFA “C”,”D” & “E”.
Child ProtectionLevel 1 & 2, Appointed Persons First Aider.
Playing Experience.
Gourock Amateurs 1974-92
Bidge is one of the founder members of First Touch along with Des & John formed ten years ago next year. The real “Joker” amongst the coaches just ask the kids past and present and they all have tales to tell mostly relating to their time at First Touch under the guidance of “Bidge”. Kit manager at First Touch likes to ensure that both coaches and kids are kitted out appropriately.
My son (age 8) is keen to join 1st touch football coaching, I would be grateful if you could advise me if there are any spaces available, when the session run and how you go about joining. Thank you for your help.
Janice what age is your son….it doesnt say in your comment????