A new season is almost upon us, but for a lot of people at the club there has been little respite since the last one finished…

The role of a coach, all voluntary, never seems to relent, but as the kids take to the various pitches this weekend it will all be worth it to see them enjoying the sport we love.

So what goes into running a team? Throwing a few cones down and picking some players for a match? Sending a few whatsapps to make sure everyone turns up at the right venue? That is about it isn’t it? 

In truth the role is wide, varying and all encompassing. Coaches at the club can be involved in everything from ordering kit and equipment, to painting the lines on the grass pitches we look after.

To mark the start of the season we donned our wellies and had a trip down to St Mary’s Park one Friday afternoon to see what was afoot…

Bucket in hand, Rockets and Sharks coach Dan surveys the scene. A mere whipper snapper at 22, he often helps comms and membership volunteer Bobby and Mark from Diamonds to prep the pitches.

As Dan explains: “I love coaching football first and foremost, but if you don’t have pitches to play on, you can’t actually do any coaching. And no coaching means no football for the kids, which is why we are involved in the first place.

“So, I help out with lining pitches. It is good to be part of a team and rewarding when you see the finished job and then the look on the kids’ faces when they run out onto a properly prepped pitch. We have a good laugh together doing it and you get better each time.”

Club groundsman and Diamonds manager Mark adds: “We have seen some shocking lines over the years, where it looks like coaches have come over to the field after a few in the Red Lion… 

“But seriously it is great to see coaches getting stuck in and making sure the kids have the best conditions we can give them to play in. It is hard with the grass pitches and the weather and other challenges, but we make what we can of it.”

 

The pitch marking process involves measuring out the dimensions, putting string down to act as a guide and then a good old fashioned wheeled-painter to do the honours. Special flair is reserved for the centre circle… only skilled line-painters are trusted with that intricate operation. 

As well as lining the pitches, coaches also help by filling in potholes, forking to improve drainage and clearing the fields of unwanted items as diverse as old bikes and dog poo… This all comes before the match preparation of putting up goals, inserting corner flags and erecting ‘respect’ banners for spectators to stand behind. 

Other coaches who help out with the pitches include Chris from Cheetahs, Tom from Vikings, Phil from Emeralds (who has been great at teaching others the best methods), Rob from Phoenix, Ben, Lee and Paul from Wolves and more. Without them the kids would have no where to play if using our pitches during the season, but also in summer when all teams train at our three venues. 

So when you’re watching your kids on our pitches this season, you now know where those white lines came from… 

 
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To volunteer at the club you don’t have to be a coach. If interested in helping in any way please email: prestwichmaraudersfc@gmail.com