International Break and Coaching
Is it me or have there been more International Breaks at the start of this season than ever before? I seem to remember the odd one every 6 months or something, yet it seems we’ve had about 4 already this season.
Anyway, Owen Hargreaves has been counted out of the meaningless England game coming up (as well as the Austria friendly which seems to be old legends match) which is very good news for United fans as he won’t get injured (oops he is supposed to be injured isn’t he?). Also not playing is the suspended Rio Ferdinand, who should be giving lessons about how to grow up a bit to his brother.
Sad news finally as we learnt this week of the death of Busby Babe John Doherty. Doherty played 26 times for United and scored 7 goals before injury ended his career at just 23. Alex Ferguson said :-
“Since I came to the club John has always been part of it. His work with the former players was absolutely outstanding. I think it’s down to the work John did that the Old Boys Association was able to maintain such a terrific standard. I’ve been to many of the dinners and John and David Sadler and Warren Bradley, who also quite recently passed away, were all part of a great team working very successfully and keeping in touch with former players, which is never easy.
RIP John.
I’m taking advantage of the break in United games and taking a short break myself. Instead of going to play for my country, I’m on the Level 1 FA Couching course. I’ve started helping out a local side with their development team (5-7 year olds) and the team are paying for me to learn how to coach them. The actual coach has already done the Level 2 and is really good with the kids and it opens your eyes to some of the things the professionals do on the pitch.
It is a heavy course, 2 whole weekends, so little time for extra stuff like blogging. However, if it will make slightly more knowledgeable about football it will only be of benefit of this blog 
Also, if I see Avram Grant there, I’ll let you know.
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November 16th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Good luck with the level 1 coaching weekend. At least something good has come out of this enforced break in the season.
November 16th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
Good luck from me too. I hope Chelsea don’t snatch you away afterwards. Not that you will go, but it would be nice to be offered. I think your loyalties will stay with the 5-7 year olds that you know.
November 20th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
Midweek coaching update. (It is two weekends long).
No Chelsea scouts but the trainers had many interesting tales to tell that need to remain off the internet
Let us just say there was talk about a certain marvellous United legend who used to wear England’s no 7.
Oh and I sat down next to a guy from Salford who had exactly the same date of birth as me. Fellow Red, now living in Maidenhead. What are the chances of that happening?
November 20th, 2007 at 5:45 pm
I am afraid I can think of at least two and controvertially three certain marvellous United legends who used to wear England’s no 7. My guess is BR. I look forward to the tales.
Some coincidence eh! What hospital was he born in?
November 21st, 2007 at 7:01 pm
I only met John Doherty once, about eight years ago - yes it was the Treble season! What a top bloke and what he didn’t know about United wasn’t worth knowing. He had seen, played with, coached everyone and was such a warm fellow. Later on I saw him on MUTV a few times and you could tell he was well respected by all. Sad to hear he’d gone - not many of them left now. The minutes’ silence next Feb is going to be very poignant what with it being 50 years - and our opponents - Man City!