看看我们足球院的园丁们
So how long have you both been involved in the game?
你俩干这行多久了?
TW: A long time! I joined United as an apprentice in 1968 and spent five years there, before I moved to City. I later joined Rochdale and played in America for six years. I started coaching part-time at the club’s then Centre of Excellence in 1990 with Nobby Stiles and Brian Kidd and then joined full-time when the Academy system was formed in 1998.
DB: I was a school teacher for 25 years and was England Schoolboys manager for five – Ryan Giggs was one of my captains! I joined United to manage the U16s in the mid-90s and I’m now Head of Education and Welfare.
你们最近的角色是什么?
TW: Our Academy is split into two sections – 9-16-year-olds and 16-18s. Paul McGuinness, who managers the U18s team, looks after the older section, while I’m responsible for the younger groups. Paul and I work closely with Dave who looks after the education and child protection side of things.
DB: Before the lads turn 16 we liaise with their schools and make sure they know they’re with our Academy and are potentially elite sportspeople. We work in partnership to try and get the best out of a player football-wise without damaging their education. If they’re good enough they’re offered a scholarship at 16. From there we help them find accommodation and manage their education via the club’s partner school in Ashton-On-Mersey. The flipside of my job is helping those who don’t make it here either find another club or another career.
Presumably, you get great satisfaction from seeing a player progress through the system and into the first team…
可能你最喜欢的就是看到一个球员不断进步最后进入一队……
TW: Yes, absolutely. The lad mature, not just as a footballer, but as a person is fantastic. It’s our job to give players the best opportunity to make the most of their talent, whilst ensuring they enjoy the experience.
DB: We get great satisfaction at both ends of the scale. You’ve got the likes of Wes Brown, John O’Shea and Jonny Evans who have come through to become first team regulars, while players like Ryan Shawcross and Phil Bardsley haven’t quite made it here, but have made careers elsewhere. And then there are those who are no longer in the game for one reason or another but have carved out successful careers in other fields.
TW: An audit we did last year showed there are 70 players who have come through our youth system and are currently playing professionally here or around the world.
TW:我们去年统计我们学院的毕业生全世界有70名球员从事职业足球。
How much input does the manager have on what you do?
经理很重视你们的工作吗?
DB: The boss always gives us his backing. Despite the huge amount he has on his plate, he always wants to know about the young players. If he doesn’t he’s after us!
DB:老板总是给我们支持。虽然他自己也有很多事也总希望知道年轻球员的情况。好像他一直关注着我们!
TW: He always has time for everyone at the club. He’s immensely supportive and we’re very blessed and privileged to have that.
TW:他对俱乐部的每个人都不会说不。他很支持我们的工作,我们很感谢这点。
There must be no better example for the youngsters than Ryan Giggs…
对于年轻人也许没有比吉格斯更好的榜样了……
DB: I’ve known Ryan since he was 12 and he was a superb player even then. In my opinion, he’s the best this club has ever had in terms of his individual play, his team play, his ability, his conduct off the pitch and, of course, his medal haul.
DB:吉格斯12岁的时候我就知道他了,那时候他就很突出。在我看来他是球队最棒的,完美无缺。
TW: He’s the example par excellence and I use him a lot as a model for our players. His achievements are just extraordinary, but it’s the way he’s managed his body and his lifestyle which is so impressive.