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”.

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. He coaches our Kickers group and also our second oldest players, so he has the benefit of watching the progression from early years through to the stage when the players are being moved on to their final stages with us. 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.”

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. With Des, John is responsible for the coaching of our Kickers, but also trains our oldest group twice a week who make the transition to 11 a side games in preparation for when they move on. “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.”

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.”

Playing Experience

10 years right half for Caddlehill Street in West of Scotland Churches league – does that count?

Ben is a new addition to our coaching resource this year but has been linked to the club for the past few years by virtue of the fact that he has two sons with us and, hopefully, another waiting in the wings until he reaches the age of 6! 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 7 – 8 year olds!!!