Bolton Wanderers

If you read my blog about my visit to St George’s Park, you will recall that I had the good fortune to spend some time with Sammy Lee, the Head of Coaching and Development at Bolton Wanderers Academy and that he had subsequently invited me to witness the workings of the academy first hand.

A few weeks ago, I made the five hour journey to the North West of England, to snap up that opportunity.

With the snow falling heavily on the UK, I was rather sceptical as to whether I'd get the opportunity to view much football action. Undeterred, I went anyway, with nothing to lose and much to gain.

Here then is my Bolton Wanderers story:

I arrived at the Eddie Davies Training Ground in Lostock, the home of Bolton Wanderers Academy where I was warmly greeted by Sammy Lee, and introduced to his staff and work colleagues  Jimmy Phillips (Head of the Academy) together with  David Lee and Tony Kelly ( U18 coaches), before explaining the itinerary of the first day.

Once again, I was immediately aware of Sammy’s character. He is definitely what I would describe as a 'people person'. He makes everyone he comes into contact with feel special, by way of his welcoming nature and doesn't let anyone go unnoticed or ignored within his environment. He has a willingness and desire to listen and speak to anyone whether it is a player, coaching colleague, visitor, or even the tea lady. These types of man management skills, I aspire to replicate within my own sporting environments.

Meanwhile, despite the ground staff working tirelessly in an effort to clear the field of snow, it was falling just as quick as it was being removed and so outside training was cancelled for the day, meaning all players were in the academy gymnasium instead for the morning session. This was a good opportunity for me to witness a different side of academy football training. Here I was introduced to the academy's strength and conditioning coaches Matt Dewhurst and Adam Rowan along with physiotherapists, rehabilitation specialists and several sport scientists. Matt explained to me that the objective of the gym session was to create an intensity that would replicate the exertion level of the players should they have trained on the field. As a result, pre-habilitation (injury prevention) exercises, strength and conditioning, core stability and footwork training ensued, proving an intense session.

With very little football looking likely for the afternoon, Sammy introduced me to David Gardiner (Head of Foundation) and Nick Spooner (U6-U11 Development Manager) who both kindly afforded me some quality time to ask any questions that I had regarding the academy set up. 

I discovered that the club philosophy is to play through the thirds, keeping the ball on the floor whilst looking to create goal scoring opportunities, and this applies to all teams throughout the academy. Therefore, all academy coaches must adopt this philosophy in order to create a coherent transition for players as they progress through their respective age groups, until they reach first team level.

To ensure that this style of play is adhered to by coaches and players, a developmental mindset is adopted by the academy staff up until the age of 14. From here onwards, greater focus is placed upon achieving results through expanding on player tactical knowledge and implementation. David described this process better with the use of a four stage model that the academy utilises as players progress through each age group. The four stages are as follows:

1. Learning to train (U6 - U9)

2. Training to train (U10 - U13)

3. Training to compete (U14 - U16)

4. Competing to win (U16+)

Within the academy there are eight teams in total ranging from U9 - U16, of which there is only one team per age group with each squad consisting of roughly twenty players. Throughout the developmental stages of player performance, Bolton focus on late specialisation in terms of player positions, to prevent players becoming one dimensional in their style of play. As a result, players are often rotated from game to game to provide opportunity to develop into more complete footballers that are best suited to the style of play they strive to adopt. With this style of play in mind, I inquired into the scouting process, specifically asking what scouts were requested to look for when identifying a potential academy prospect. David advised me that scouts are instructed to predominantly look for technically gifted players, although conceded that other aspects of a player's capabilities may prove beneficial to the academy system in accordance with the FA's four corner model, which incorporate not only technical aspects, but psychological (attitude, game knowledge and intelligence), physical (speed, strength, power etc) and social (personality) attributes also. All of which are deemed key at the Bolton academy.

Upon entering the academy, players are offered contracts of varying lengths depending on their age. For players aged 9-11 a rolling one year contract is offered, players aged 12-16 a two year rolling contract and for players aged 16 and older, a three year contract. However, much like every other professional football academy, the renewal of a player's contract is dependent on their level of progression and development throughout the season. 

Regarding the academy's coaching staff, the majority of its coaches are contracted full time under the newly implemented Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP), which requests that each academy fulfils certain criteria on a category 1-4 basis (category one being the highest and four, the lowest). For the sake of the reader, Bolton Wanderers Academy secured Category 1 status thanks to the tireless work of the academy team of which David Gardiner, along with many others, were instrumental. The academy also employs temporary staff, but these are offered rolling one year contracts with a yearly salary. 

With little expectation of witnessing some coaching first hand on my second day at the academy due to poor weather conditions, I prepared some questions overnight that I hadn't yet asked on my travels, but could prove vital for my overall development in the game. 

However, I arrived at the academy and to my delight, the ground staff had cleared the 3G pitch of snow and training had the go ahead! Once again I was treated to a warm greeting ‘Sammy Lee style’ and invited to observe the U18 squad carry out their pre-habilitation exercises prior to practice, which included light stretching exercises using foam rollers and Swiss exercise balls as well as utilising the gym's exercise bikes to prepare the players for the ensuing training.

As the players warmed up on the field, Sammy shared with me the format of the morning session, consisting of a short passing drill before progressing into two 25 minute games refereed by ex-Premier League referee Mark Halsey; a welcome outdoor session for the players having been confined to the gym a lot of late following the poor weather. 

Prior to entering the field, every player was fitted with a heart rate monitor together with a 'Catapult' vest equipped with a GPS tracker. This enabled the academy's sports scientists (employed under the newly implemented EPPP requirements) to measure and record each player's speed, work rate, agility, distance covered etc throughout the training session, similar to the Adidas 'micoach' player analysis I experienced at Ajax's Academy (see previous blog). During Sam Alladyce's reign as Bolton Wanderers Head Coach it was common knowledge that sport science was high on his agenda. Now, long after his departure, it was good to see the academy still utilising its benefits to better their player performance output. Video analysis of academy games is also a regular occurrence to improve performance.

Throughout the session I got a real taste of firstly, the high expectation levels and demand for quality from each of the coaches and secondly, the experience of being on the sideline of an academy game amongst its coaches. Whilst the two games were played amongst academy squad members, both were treated as serious fixtures by players and coaches. This gave me great insight into the knowledge and information provided to players at half time, listening in to what the coaches had witnessed and what they demanded from their players in the second half. What I found particularly impressive, however, was something that I overheard and fully understood within the first 5 minutes of the session commencing. Having studied Spanish at A Level, I watched and listened in awe as Sammy communicated fluently with a Spanish academy player. The impact that this powerful tool had on the young Spaniard's game genuinely came as a massive surprise. Thinking about it afterwards it actually came as no surprise that Sammy possessed this in his coaching armoury and I was later informed by his academy colleagues that Spanish wasn't the only language he had in his locker. Incredible.

I have to confess that this event has inspired me to continue studying and practicing my Spanish speaking alongside my coaching work

Lunch was next on the schedule and I was treated to some hot soup; the perfect cure for the bitterly cold weather. During this break I was fortunate enough to meet Kevin Davies (Bolton Wanderers First Team Captain) who had arrived at the training ground for his UEFA B Licence Final Assessment, coaching a couple of sessions using the U18 academy squad. It became evidently clear that Kevin was highly respected around the academy not just by the players, but by all coaches and staff members alike. 

After lunch I took to the field early, using this as an opportunity to make some notes on my experiences so far before the players arrived for their afternoon session. However, this was interrupted by Kevin, who kindly requested my assistance in helping him set up, to which I happily obliged! After taking a short interest in the reason for my visit and my coaching background, Kevin then explained to me his session topics, his aims and objectives, the continuity of his progressions and the scenarios he was hoping to see occur that would trigger his coaching points. Having within the last year gained the UEFA B licence myself, I knew how nerve wracking this final assessment was but having a renowned footballer running through his coaching session plan with me seemed a surreal experience, but one that I relished!

As the players entered the field and Kevin commenced his sessions under the watchful eye of his assessors, I sought out the opportunity to ask the questions I had prepared the previous night. However, for the first time on my European travels, it wasn't a coach or manager I was firing my questions at, but a couple of players: Glenn Matthews, Bolton born and U18 Academy left back and Rob Holding, born in Tameside and U18 Academy centre back. 

With aspirations of coaching at the highest level I possibly can, I saw this as a great opportunity to learn from a different perspective; what the player's want. What do they feel the difference is between a club coach and an academy coach? What do they think makes a good academy coach? What would they like to see their academy coaches do differently? These were just some of the questions I sought answers to.

After introducing myself to Glenn and Rob the boys happily agreed to answer my questions for which I was very grateful. Both informed me of their love at playing in the Bolton academy, claiming numerous 'best bits' such as having the opportunity to play football every day, the company of their team mates, the relationship with all of their coaches and the general enjoyment of the overall experience.

When asked if there was a 'worst bit' about the academy, both Glenn and Rob couldn't answer but rather claimed that their less favourite part was the college work that coincided. They explained the strictness of the academy education; that failure to complete coursework resulted in exclusion from training. However, both mutually agreed that completing the college work was far easier than complaining about it.

I was then interested to find out Glenn and Rob's perception of what they thought the difference between a club coach  and an academy coach was. The boys pondered this for a few seconds, recalling their experiences from pre-Bolton academy days, before answering that academy coaches hold greater expectation levels for every player, demand the highest quality possible, show greater care for player development and welfare and finally are less tolerant of misbehaviour. These they believed were also requirements of a 'good' academy coach along with the following: someone who makes players feel special, possesses an excellent player-coach relationship, explains difficult concepts easily, provides information to aid player development and generally wants the best for everyone with the player's best interests at heart.

When asked if there was anything they wish their academy coaches would do differently, they claimed that generally there was nothing they would change. However, Glenn and Rob explained that when they've made a mistake, either in training or games, some coaches can occasionally show their frustration verbally from the sideline as well as portraying negative body language, detrimentally impacting player confidence and performance. Whereas other coaches will give reassurance, encouragement and advice to help relax and find alternative solutions which the boys feel has a greater positive impact on their performance. 

To reiterate what David Gardiner had explained the day before, from the age of 16 attention switches from a developmental mindset to a winning mentality under their fourth stage 'competing to win'. Glenn and Rob confirmed this, claiming that whilst the coaches care about the team's performance in games, there is more of a focus on winning now at U18 level, developing player tactical knowledge.

My last question to the boys was to simply identify who they believed was the 'one to watch' at the academy, giving them every opportunity to nominate themselves! Immediately after identifying each other as future stars (tongue in cheek!!) both Glenn and Rob mutually decided without hesitation that Chris Leicester was the pick of the U18 squad. The boys explained that I had actually witnessed Chris play in the morning games, and after describing his appearance it jogged my memory. I recall this particular young man being technically sound, fast paced and sharp in his position on the right wing. I shall keep a further eye out in the near future on his developments. 

As Kevin's assessment drew to a close, I thanked both Glenn and Rob for their time before heading indoors where I was invited by Sammy to join himself and Jimmy Phillips to fire some questions at them. Specifically I asked what Jimmy and Sammy look for from their academy coaches in order to gain an insight that could potentially prove highly beneficial in my near future as an aspiring professional football coach. In short, both mutually agreed upon the following: an excellent rapport with the players, the ability to engage players in all areas of the game, a teacher (particularly for the younger age groups), a healthy relationship with other staff members, qualifications and experience.

Whilst some contemporary coaches with playing experience at the highest level are offered academy coaching jobs out of respect at Bolton Wanderers, what was especially pleasing to hear was that Sammy and Jimmy both believe qualifications (coaching and/or educational) coupled with coaching experience will eventually override playing experience even at the highest level across all football in the future. They were of the opinion that some of the best coaches around haven't played top level football.

Further questions that I asked Sammy and Jimmy along with their thoughtful, insightful and invaluable answers will temporarily remain with me, but I promise to reveal in due course in a later blog of mine that I have planned. 

As an unforgettable day drew to a close, I was invited to lastly attend and observe the academy's U9's and U10's train at a nearby soccer dome facility at St Joseph's school where I was warmly welcomed by coaches Stuart Cowling and Chris Jacques. Much like I'd witnessed on my travels around Europe, the young players were completely enthused for the session duration and highly responsive to Stuart and Chris, much to their credit! Development was instantly visible as a priority for both coaches, with no emphasis on winning but great emphasis on praising player effort levels which, in my opinion, is always refreshing to witness. Furthermore, Stuart and Chris' effective use of open ended questioning to encourage the players to think and take responsibility for their own learning was also plausible.

I'd like to once again thank everyone at Bolton Wanderers whom I came into contact with over my two day study visit for a number of things; the warm welcome, the effort in organising such a fantastic itinerary considering the poor weather conditions, the willingness to take an interest in myself and my travels, the time afforded by influential personnel, the effort to respond to any questions that I threw at them (both coaches and players), the welcoming soup!! and overall for making my visit an invaluable and worthwhile experience. Above all though, I'd like to thank Sammy Lee for being a top man and for affording me the opportunity to visit.

Finally, I wish the U18 squad all the best in their FA Youth Cup run.

Up the Trotters!!