The Coaches

ROBBIE EARLE  (MBE)

I first began my career in English football with Port Vale in 1982, moving onto Wimbledon in 1991, for a then record fee of £775,000.

It was here that I built up a reputation as an attacking midfield player, finishing my career with around 150 goals from approximately 600 games. A great achievement of mine was during the 1998 World Cup Finals, making history in becoming the first ever scorer for Jamaica.

My career ended when I became injured playing for Wimbledon reserves, from a kick in the stomach which was severe enough to rupture my pancreas. After successfully completed the UEFA coaching syllabus, culminating in the award of the prestigious UEFA ‘A’ Licence, I then subsequently took up a coaching role at Wimbledon whilst also becoming an ambassador for the Club.

Sports journalism also became a great interest for me, where I began working for radio stations such as BBC Radio Five live and Capital Radio London, before switching to working as a pundit and commentator on television in 2001. I originally started  with Sky Sports and the BBC and presently now with ITV sports; covering games from Champions League, UEFA Cup, Premier League, Football league as well the 2002/2006 World Cups and 2004 Euro Championships

Not only this, but I have written for numerous national newspapers and regularly contribute to the largest paper in London, the respected Evening Standard. Working closely with the English FA and the Premier League on a number of football related topics, I also continue to host and present a number of conferences on behalf of the FA nationwide.

As well as holding an honorary Doctorate from Staffordshire University, one of my greatest achievements was being awarded an MBE in 1999 by Her Majesty the Queen, for services to football, and I am also an honorary patron for “Show racism the Red Card!”

WARREN BARTON

I was born on the 19th of March 1969 in Stoke Newington, London and grew up in Islington By the age of eleven I was playing for Nightingale High School and also for Redbridge District and felt I was making progress as I was then selected for Essex County and the South of England Boys. In 1984, when I was aged 13 years I signed on schoolboy terms for Watford.

Although I didn't agree with the decision, Watford released my on the basis of my size. Yes, I was small for my age, but kids develop at different ages and being told I was too small to make the grade made me even more determined to be successful elsewhere. Leyton Orient came in for me, and I signed a two-year YTS deal. After a season in the youth team I was called in by the first team manager and told that my services weren't required. To be fair the club had just missed out on promotion and had invested what little cash they had in the failed bid for success, the wage bill had to cut and yours truly was sacrificed!

John Steel who was manager at Dagenham and Redbridge offered me a deal. My scepticism about dropping into the Non-league was unfounded, and after a really great two-year spell at the club a new manager, Ted Harding took over.

After another 18 months of regular first team football, John Steel called me with the offer of a move to Maidstone. We had a good season and only just missed out at the play-offs for the then fourth division. At this time there were a few rumours going around that I was being watched and at the end of the season in 1990 I was off to join the 'Crazy Gang' at Wimbledon.

I'll always remember my time at Wimbledon with affection, not only were we successful on the pitch, but what a time we had off it. We finished 7th in my first season and I was also given the Young Player of the Year award and in 1995 I was picked for England, an honour that any pro will tell you is something very special. After about two years at Wimbledon the rumour were starting to appear that a number of clubs were in for me.

The Newcastle Manager “Kevin Keegan” spoke to me and I immediately knew I was joining Newcastle. I remember him saying to me…"Warren, this club finished sixth last year, which simply isn't good enough". This one sentence made a big impact, as for years we'd struggled on at Wimbledon and in overachieving we'd never managed to finish as high as sixth. This was the big time, and I couldn't wait to get started.

I played the first 38 games then Steve Watson came in after my form wobbled a bit. It was an incredible season and I still find it hard to believe that we didn't carry off the Championship. To lose such a commanding lead was painful but that's football and you have to deal with it. Looking at the positives, to play in that team was an absolute joy.

The two highlights during the 1997/8 season were undoubtedly the 3-2 win over Barcelona in the Champions League, and reaching the F.A. Cup final. Both the Barca game and the semi final at Old Trafford against Sheffield United were excellent victories set against great atmosphere's.

Warren has also recently completed his UEFA Pro Licence coaching diploma.

BILLY STEWART

Billy Stewart (born January 1, 1965, Liverpool) was a former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper, mainly with Chester City. He is now a coach with Liverpool.

Stewart began as an apprentice with hometown club Liverpool, who he turned professional with in January 1983. Unfortunately Stewart was unable to make the first-team at Anfield and joined Wigan Athletic in July 1984. The youngster made just 14 league appearances in two years at Springfield Park before former Latics manager Harry McNally signed him for Chester City in August 1986.

After initially sharing goalkeeping duties with John Butcher, Mike Stowell and Mike Astbury, Stewart eventually established himself as first choice between the sticks. Between January 1988 and October 1990 he did not miss a match, with the run of 124 games only ended after a sending off at Bradford City. In 1992–93 he was named as the club’s player of the season despite conceding more than 100 goals, but a pre-match injury at Scarborough in September 1993 ruled him out for the remainder of the following season.

Stewart was allowed to join Northampton Town in July 1994, but he ended the season playing at Wembley Stadium for Chesterfield in the Football League Division Three play-off final against Bury, while on loan with the Saltergate club. He helped Chesterfield to a 2–0 victory and promotion, but he returned to Chester in the summer of 1995. He was to miss just one game in 1995–96, at the end of the season he decided to drop down into non-league football with Southport, through choice. He had taken his coaching badges and started coaching at Liverpool on a part time basis.

Stewart played for the Sandgrounders for three and a half years, the highlight being another trip to Wembley in the final of the 1997–98 FA Trophy, which ended in a 1–0 defeat to Cheltenham Town. Stewart moved to fellow Conference side Hednesford Town in December 1999 and later played for clubs including Bamber Bridge, Rhyl and Marine. He is now academy goalkeeper coach with Liverpool and is also reserve team goalkeeping coach and has been coaching at the club for nine years.

Stewart holds a UEFA A Licence, completed youth coach and coach education courses and also holds an assessor/verifiers award for delivering NVQ’s.

JOHN HENRY MILLINGTON

Professional Qualifications

FA Courses Directed or Staffed - 1990 - 2007

Currently

Player & Coach Development Manager Youth Development Department at Portsmouth FC responsible for Long Term Player Development 9 -18’s, Coach Support and Mentoring, delivery of FA Premier League Learning ASE programme to Scholars. Also, delivering Coach Education programme as an Approved Centre.

Formerly

Sussex County FA Development Manager and Chief Coach responsible for delivering the FA’s National Football Development and Football Facility Strategy through Strategic Planning, Programme Management, Investment Strategy and Monitoring and Evaluation.

The SCFA FA Child Protection Officer: Delivering the County Coach Education programme, Coaches Association and Coach Mentoring Scheme. Henry managed the Football Development budget and qualified coaches in Clubs, School to Club Link and Coaching for Teachers Programmes.

Career Achievements – Tutor/Teacher and Training

Other Qualifications and Interests

SAQ Diploma, SCUK Fundamentals, SCUK Multi-skills, SCUK Mentoring, Long Term Player Development. First Aid qualified. CRB checked Participant in all sports; particularly keeping fit, running, golf, hill walking and football. Qualified Mountain Leader, Girls Gymnastics Coach and RYA level 2 in Power Boats and Sailing.