WEBVTT 1 00:00:11.759 --> 00:00:13.800 Time for an SDH Network one D one and for 2 00:00:13.839 --> 00:00:16.519 this one we head to Taxoma and catch up with 3 00:00:16.600 --> 00:00:21.239 someone whose business card now has information on the front 4 00:00:21.320 --> 00:00:24.239 and the back, I think, because now Adrian Forbes is 5 00:00:24.280 --> 00:00:28.120 now no longer just the man in charge of the 6 00:00:28.160 --> 00:00:31.600 sporting aspects of things. He goes from sporting director to 7 00:00:31.760 --> 00:00:36.399 sporting director and the new head coach of Texoma and 8 00:00:36.640 --> 00:00:40.119 USL League one. As everybody's getting ready for that, Texoma 9 00:00:40.159 --> 00:00:43.960 FC's new master of everything, Adrian Forbes coach, thanks for 10 00:00:44.039 --> 00:00:45.320 dropping by for a one B one. 11 00:00:45.640 --> 00:00:47.600 Absolutely my pleasure. Thank you for having me. 12 00:00:48.399 --> 00:00:51.439 Let me ask you this first and foremost for those 13 00:00:51.520 --> 00:00:54.960 that don't know your story, how did you end up 14 00:00:55.600 --> 00:01:00.600 in the triplex of Sherman Ada Ardmore and get to 15 00:01:00.640 --> 00:01:04.840 this particular point in your coaching career and your football career. 16 00:01:06.280 --> 00:01:07.200 Well, let's go back. 17 00:01:07.959 --> 00:01:10.439 Really fortunate enough to have had a career out in 18 00:01:10.480 --> 00:01:12.920 the UK that took on the plane for the teams 19 00:01:12.920 --> 00:01:18.159 and likes of Norwise City, Swansea, Blackpool, Millwall, Grimsby Town 20 00:01:18.159 --> 00:01:21.040 and represent in my country, England at youth level. So 21 00:01:21.159 --> 00:01:23.760 really fortunate enough to have lived the dream that so 22 00:01:23.840 --> 00:01:27.120 many young men and girls out there wanted to achieve. 23 00:01:27.120 --> 00:01:29.200 I was lucky enough to achieve that, and off the 24 00:01:29.239 --> 00:01:31.319 back of that, that took me on a coaching route 25 00:01:31.319 --> 00:01:34.400 which sick on rolls. Initially when I had to quit 26 00:01:34.400 --> 00:01:37.799 playing after nine operations on one knee, working for Norwich's 27 00:01:37.840 --> 00:01:41.799 recognized charity of the Community Sports Foundation, where Ian Thornton 28 00:01:41.920 --> 00:01:43.560 and a gentleman by the name of Dan goff And 29 00:01:43.599 --> 00:01:46.640 gave me my first opportunity to really delve into coaching. 30 00:01:47.719 --> 00:01:50.000 That took me then onto a full time role working 31 00:01:50.000 --> 00:01:54.120 for Norwise City's Academy as the main part of developing 32 00:01:54.120 --> 00:01:55.200 their younger players. 33 00:01:54.920 --> 00:01:55.400 At the club. 34 00:01:56.719 --> 00:01:59.480 Changes to the lead staff at the academy there then 35 00:01:59.519 --> 00:02:01.959 took me on Toton Town, where I would say my 36 00:02:02.040 --> 00:02:04.719 career really flourished from a coaching point of view, going 37 00:02:04.760 --> 00:02:07.280 in there as a head of coaching, but also taken 38 00:02:07.319 --> 00:02:12.599 on roles as first team coach in some tough times, 39 00:02:12.759 --> 00:02:16.759 notably working alongside Nathan Jones when we were ten points 40 00:02:16.759 --> 00:02:18.840 to drift at the bottom of the championship, but being 41 00:02:18.879 --> 00:02:21.840 his first team coach which allowed us to somehow, I 42 00:02:21.840 --> 00:02:24.039 don't know how, recover those ten points and stay in 43 00:02:24.080 --> 00:02:27.199 the championship. I still don't know how we almost achieved 44 00:02:27.199 --> 00:02:28.319 the impossible dream and. 45 00:02:28.360 --> 00:02:30.159 That one and then you know that then led me 46 00:02:30.199 --> 00:02:32.319 on to have the role of running the. 47 00:02:32.240 --> 00:02:35.560 Club's development team, which was just underneath the first team. 48 00:02:35.560 --> 00:02:37.840 They're working closely with Robert Edwards and his first team 49 00:02:37.840 --> 00:02:41.159 staff there as well, So some amazing roles. But a 50 00:02:41.360 --> 00:02:45.960 chance meeting, shall we say, via LinkedIn linked me with 51 00:02:46.080 --> 00:02:49.520 Ben Watson and Simon Keyser at texomer Ce, mainly with 52 00:02:49.599 --> 00:02:52.159 a viewpoint of trying to build a link between what 53 00:02:52.319 --> 00:02:54.319 was being built here at texomer. 54 00:02:54.280 --> 00:02:56.120 And what had already been built at Luton Town. 55 00:02:56.759 --> 00:02:58.960 For whatever reason, it wasn't right for Lutontown at this 56 00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:02.439 point in time to build that partnership. It might be 57 00:03:02.479 --> 00:03:04.599 something that hopefully I can explore later on down the 58 00:03:04.639 --> 00:03:06.879 line with the connection that I have with the club, 59 00:03:06.960 --> 00:03:10.840 But that led to me building an unintentional relationship with 60 00:03:10.960 --> 00:03:13.199 Ben and Simon and that led to them offering me 61 00:03:13.280 --> 00:03:16.879 the opportunity to come across as the sporting director. So yeah, 62 00:03:16.960 --> 00:03:19.680 not something I planned for, not something I expected. But 63 00:03:19.840 --> 00:03:20.439 listen here. 64 00:03:20.719 --> 00:03:25.560 I am how much of a culture shock was it 65 00:03:25.680 --> 00:03:30.120 for you to go from Canaries and Swans and full disclosure, 66 00:03:30.159 --> 00:03:36.159 remember the Swans Trust to go from there to what 67 00:03:36.199 --> 00:03:38.560 you're doing there at Texama. How much of a shock 68 00:03:38.639 --> 00:03:39.840 to the system was it for you? 69 00:03:40.400 --> 00:03:40.919 Oh? Massive? 70 00:03:41.000 --> 00:03:43.520 Because you know, I've always been that guy that has said, 71 00:03:44.080 --> 00:03:45.879 you know, as a youngster, I want to realize a 72 00:03:45.960 --> 00:03:48.400 dream of being a professional footballer. Then you step away 73 00:03:48.400 --> 00:03:50.520 from that and you go, I want to realize that 74 00:03:50.599 --> 00:03:55.159 dream of being the best possible coach stroke youth developer 75 00:03:55.280 --> 00:03:57.560 that I can, so, as I said a moment ago, 76 00:03:57.599 --> 00:04:00.360 given as many people the opportunity to fulfill their dream 77 00:04:00.360 --> 00:04:02.719 as I can. And then all of a sudden, there's 78 00:04:02.759 --> 00:04:05.039 this sporting director's role put in front of you, and 79 00:04:05.039 --> 00:04:06.159 you're going, hmm. 80 00:04:06.759 --> 00:04:07.319 Interesting. 81 00:04:07.520 --> 00:04:10.719 I've seen sporting directors work, whether it be Stuart Webble 82 00:04:10.759 --> 00:04:14.120 when I was at Norris City or certainly Paul Watson 83 00:04:14.120 --> 00:04:16.160 at Luton Town and seen what they do and see 84 00:04:16.160 --> 00:04:19.759 how they are instrumental in shaping a club on a 85 00:04:19.839 --> 00:04:23.160 day to day basis. And then it's that mental battle 86 00:04:23.279 --> 00:04:26.639 and that almost imposter syndrome of can I do this 87 00:04:26.759 --> 00:04:29.920 role because my background is in playing and you've development, 88 00:04:30.120 --> 00:04:33.199 But actually now I have a real strong or real 89 00:04:33.240 --> 00:04:37.240 good opportunity to really impact on not just developing players 90 00:04:37.279 --> 00:04:38.800 but hopefully developing. 91 00:04:38.399 --> 00:04:39.079 Staff as well. 92 00:04:39.079 --> 00:04:43.680 And it's something that I grew to realize that I 93 00:04:43.720 --> 00:04:47.560 took pride in anyway without realizing I was taking pride 94 00:04:47.600 --> 00:04:51.199 in that and realizing that actually there was far more 95 00:04:51.240 --> 00:04:53.319 to me than I realized when I actually delved into 96 00:04:53.319 --> 00:04:56.480 the sporting director's role, and that was something I went, Okay, 97 00:04:56.519 --> 00:04:59.920 I'm forty five years old. Now this opportunity has woken 98 00:05:00.079 --> 00:05:02.319 something up in me that I didn't realize was in me. 99 00:05:03.480 --> 00:05:05.639 Let's jump too fitted into it unless you know, let's 100 00:05:05.639 --> 00:05:06.879 see where it can take us. 101 00:05:07.959 --> 00:05:10.519 Have you always thought of yourself, maybe in the back 102 00:05:10.560 --> 00:05:14.040 of your mind but not activated on it. Have you 103 00:05:14.079 --> 00:05:17.360 thought of yourself as a always as a builder or 104 00:05:17.399 --> 00:05:21.519 as someone who maintains or how would you characterize yourself 105 00:05:21.959 --> 00:05:23.759 as you go into this work here at Tech? 106 00:05:23.800 --> 00:05:26.040 Sim a builder one hundred percent. The builder. 107 00:05:26.040 --> 00:05:28.759 Whether it's building that relationship with a young player that's 108 00:05:28.759 --> 00:05:30.680 going to allow that player to buy into what I 109 00:05:30.800 --> 00:05:33.560 believe in him, to give him the best opportunity to 110 00:05:33.600 --> 00:05:34.480 fulfill his dreams. 111 00:05:34.680 --> 00:05:35.560 That's about building. 112 00:05:35.800 --> 00:05:38.399 Whether it's having a clear understanding of what that individual 113 00:05:38.480 --> 00:05:41.240 needs to help them realize their dream. How do we 114 00:05:41.319 --> 00:05:44.319 build the right platform for that person, and how do 115 00:05:44.360 --> 00:05:46.279 we build the right step in stones for that person 116 00:05:46.319 --> 00:05:49.319 to achieve what they want to achieve. That's building. So 117 00:05:49.360 --> 00:05:52.079 everything for me is that, even my own personal journey, 118 00:05:52.120 --> 00:05:54.040 you know, how do I build the right knowledge base 119 00:05:54.079 --> 00:05:57.120 and the right and relevant qualifications to allow me to 120 00:05:57.160 --> 00:05:59.519 achieve what I want to achieve has all been about building. 121 00:06:00.079 --> 00:06:02.160 If I look at what I went on to achieve 122 00:06:02.560 --> 00:06:06.160 from a coaching point of view, starting with the Community 123 00:06:06.160 --> 00:06:09.600 Sports Foundation of Norwich City with the club's charity, to 124 00:06:09.759 --> 00:06:12.680 building my profile and building my knowledge base and building 125 00:06:12.720 --> 00:06:15.319 my skills and expertise to then be able to go 126 00:06:15.360 --> 00:06:19.040 and impact on academy players at Norwige's Catwe Academy, to 127 00:06:19.120 --> 00:06:21.920 then building that detail, that knowledge base and the expertise 128 00:06:21.959 --> 00:06:23.959 to then become a head of coaching and then a 129 00:06:24.079 --> 00:06:26.040 first team coach and then be able to run the 130 00:06:26.079 --> 00:06:32.360 development team at Luton. It's always been about building. But 131 00:06:32.439 --> 00:06:36.959 as I say, I think this opportunity made me realize 132 00:06:36.959 --> 00:06:39.120 that that's what I'm almost made to do and what 133 00:06:39.199 --> 00:06:41.800 I'm almost shaped to do, or what sorry, my previous 134 00:06:41.839 --> 00:06:43.920 career as a player has shaped me to do, so 135 00:06:44.959 --> 00:06:48.040 not something that I realized i'd be doing, but unbeknown 136 00:06:48.040 --> 00:06:50.519 to me underneath, I think I've probably realized that that's 137 00:06:50.639 --> 00:06:52.480 probably or this is probably. 138 00:06:52.079 --> 00:06:56.480 The role for me from earning fifty six cents a 139 00:06:56.560 --> 00:06:59.560 mile with all of the time that you've been spending 140 00:06:59.600 --> 00:07:01.879 in a car, are learning about TECHSOMA. How would you 141 00:07:01.920 --> 00:07:06.879 describe what football means, not the American football, but the 142 00:07:06.920 --> 00:07:09.279 other football, the football that we're talking about, what it 143 00:07:09.360 --> 00:07:11.680 means to the fabric of that particular part of the US. 144 00:07:12.959 --> 00:07:14.680 I think it's going to be an educational piece, to 145 00:07:14.720 --> 00:07:15.279 be honest with you. 146 00:07:15.480 --> 00:07:17.240 I think it's going to be the first time there's 147 00:07:17.240 --> 00:07:20.240 obviously obviously being a professional club in this area. So 148 00:07:20.319 --> 00:07:22.399 there's a lot of learning and there's a lot of 149 00:07:22.399 --> 00:07:24.360 information and detail that we're going to need to give 150 00:07:24.399 --> 00:07:27.040 to the local community to get one hundred percent buy in. 151 00:07:27.399 --> 00:07:29.800 I think if you came across talking about American football, 152 00:07:29.800 --> 00:07:32.480 everyone knows straight away exactly what you're talking about and 153 00:07:32.519 --> 00:07:36.040 the real landscape of it. But bringing professional soccer to Sherman, 154 00:07:36.079 --> 00:07:38.879 where the team's going to be predominantly based in Dennison, 155 00:07:39.240 --> 00:07:42.040 it's a completely new entity for everyone. And you know, 156 00:07:42.240 --> 00:07:45.040 season ticket sales have been superb so far and there's 157 00:07:45.079 --> 00:07:47.079 a lot of noise around what we're doing, but we 158 00:07:47.120 --> 00:07:49.199 still need to create more noise, and we still need 159 00:07:49.240 --> 00:07:52.720 to build a brand and an identity that allows the 160 00:07:52.759 --> 00:07:55.399 community to gain an understanding of what we were about. 161 00:07:55.480 --> 00:07:58.639 Because we want to be noticeable in the community. We 162 00:07:58.680 --> 00:08:00.759 want the community to know what we are, and we 163 00:08:00.839 --> 00:08:03.959 want that community to feel part of what we are building. 164 00:08:04.399 --> 00:08:06.480 And you know, it's important for me to try and. 165 00:08:06.480 --> 00:08:09.959 Build out a roster of players and build a team 166 00:08:10.600 --> 00:08:12.839 that that person in the community can turn up and 167 00:08:12.879 --> 00:08:14.839 watch us play and feel part of that can turn 168 00:08:14.920 --> 00:08:16.839 up and watch us play and say, oh, I see 169 00:08:16.959 --> 00:08:19.800 myself in that staff member, or I see myself in 170 00:08:19.879 --> 00:08:22.720 that player that's playing. And you know, I use a 171 00:08:22.720 --> 00:08:26.639 stupid analogy of I want to create a team and 172 00:08:26.720 --> 00:08:28.879 start building a history and a legacy that gets bums 173 00:08:28.920 --> 00:08:31.199 on seats as it gets the fans through the gate. 174 00:08:31.519 --> 00:08:33.279 But then also with the style of play that we've 175 00:08:33.320 --> 00:08:36.279 got gets bums off seats because they're excited about what 176 00:08:36.360 --> 00:08:39.639 might happen. They're excited about when this individual receives the 177 00:08:39.639 --> 00:08:42.440 ball and what he might do. So community is key 178 00:08:42.480 --> 00:08:44.799 for me and no football club, wherever you are in 179 00:08:44.840 --> 00:08:47.720 the world, is nothing without building that rapport and that 180 00:08:47.759 --> 00:08:50.600 relationship with the community, and that's something that you know 181 00:08:50.639 --> 00:08:53.600 will be instrumental in hopefully what can be a successful 182 00:08:53.639 --> 00:08:55.960 soccer club football club in years to come. 183 00:08:56.679 --> 00:09:00.879 I would imagine that your phone slash whatsad blew up 184 00:09:01.320 --> 00:09:05.799 once this announcement was made. How wide ranging have the 185 00:09:05.840 --> 00:09:09.919 conversations been? And I imagine that you have unlimited international 186 00:09:09.960 --> 00:09:12.559 minutes when it comes to your phone these days. How 187 00:09:12.600 --> 00:09:15.200 wide ranging are we talking? It's like, oh, yeah, what's 188 00:09:15.240 --> 00:09:17.720 going on there? What are the conversations been like? And 189 00:09:17.759 --> 00:09:20.320 who where have you been able to be reached out from. 190 00:09:20.360 --> 00:09:22.120 I guess it's been really. 191 00:09:21.840 --> 00:09:24.480 Interesting, you know for me, and that when I was 192 00:09:24.519 --> 00:09:27.279 offered the initially the sporting director's role you know in 193 00:09:27.320 --> 00:09:29.960 the UK, was quite a big deal that I'd been 194 00:09:29.960 --> 00:09:35.200 given this opportunity and already positive, which been amazing. But 195 00:09:35.240 --> 00:09:37.480 then when the head coach role was announced, it went 196 00:09:37.600 --> 00:09:40.840 crazy and I, in my little mind couldn't have them 197 00:09:41.240 --> 00:09:43.679 why And then someone here that works at the club said, 198 00:09:44.360 --> 00:09:47.480 but what you need to realize is the head coach 199 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:50.159 over here, from a US point of view, is the 200 00:09:50.200 --> 00:09:54.240 main person. Yes, there is sporting directors, there's general managers. 201 00:09:54.240 --> 00:09:58.799 But the head coach is the head coach and I, ah, right, okay, 202 00:09:59.120 --> 00:10:02.399 me holding my hands. I innocently hadn't looked at it 203 00:10:02.559 --> 00:10:05.159 like that because the landscape in the UK is slightly 204 00:10:05.360 --> 00:10:06.559 slightly different around that. 205 00:10:07.480 --> 00:10:08.679 But yeah, it's gone a little crazy. 206 00:10:09.600 --> 00:10:11.600 I'm still trying to work out how certain people have 207 00:10:11.679 --> 00:10:16.080 managed to find my email address. But also there's been 208 00:10:16.080 --> 00:10:18.080 a lot of people that have been really accommodating and 209 00:10:18.159 --> 00:10:22.080 really understanding of the fact that you know, what we're doing, 210 00:10:22.159 --> 00:10:24.200 where and where we are within the journey of what 211 00:10:24.240 --> 00:10:27.360 we're doing. But also the harsh reality is I need 212 00:10:27.360 --> 00:10:29.120 those people to get in touch. I need to have 213 00:10:29.159 --> 00:10:32.919 those conversations with people in order to make this club 214 00:10:32.960 --> 00:10:35.399 a success. So I'm not going to moan about it. 215 00:10:35.519 --> 00:10:37.120 I'm going to take it in my stride. I'm going 216 00:10:37.200 --> 00:10:40.440 to embrace it, and you know, ultimately, hopefully by embracing 217 00:10:40.480 --> 00:10:43.759 it and having those conversations with those right and relevant people, 218 00:10:43.799 --> 00:10:47.519 it will hopefully allow me to gain their help, expertise, 219 00:10:47.559 --> 00:10:50.159 knowledge and understanding that I need to make a success 220 00:10:50.200 --> 00:10:51.399 of the two roles. 221 00:10:52.039 --> 00:10:54.799 Adrian Forbes now adding head coach to the role of 222 00:10:54.799 --> 00:10:58.039 sporting director at TEXOMASC getting ready for USL League one. 223 00:10:58.120 --> 00:11:00.320 It's going to be there before you know it. And 224 00:11:00.360 --> 00:11:03.480 I say it that way because everybody's oh, yeah, twenty five, Yeah, 225 00:11:03.639 --> 00:11:07.519 twenty five. No, twenty five is like right there. I know. 226 00:11:07.639 --> 00:11:09.679 And this is a question that I ask a lot 227 00:11:09.720 --> 00:11:13.679 of the startup organizations that we do with these one 228 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:16.879 v ones. I know there is a to do list 229 00:11:16.919 --> 00:11:20.679 in there somewhere, and it could be in a WhatsApp group, 230 00:11:20.720 --> 00:11:22.759 It could be in an email chain, could be in 231 00:11:22.759 --> 00:11:25.480 a pdf, could be in a Google doc, could be 232 00:11:25.639 --> 00:11:28.840 on outside of the camera range that I'm staring at 233 00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:31.559 you right now in your office, one of those big 234 00:11:32.360 --> 00:11:36.679 four foot by eight foot wide dry erase boards that's 235 00:11:36.720 --> 00:11:39.559 got all the lines and the different colored dry erase 236 00:11:39.639 --> 00:11:43.440 markers going in different directions. And where is this to 237 00:11:43.480 --> 00:11:46.840 do list? And what do you think the next thing 238 00:11:46.919 --> 00:11:51.720 that you, either as head coach or sporting director can 239 00:11:51.840 --> 00:11:54.679 cross off of that list as you get ready for 240 00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:57.200 USL League one? What do you think that is? 241 00:11:57.879 --> 00:12:01.440 How many lists do you want? Because there's a you. 242 00:12:01.440 --> 00:12:04.159 Like I said, you're different people. Might be a list 243 00:12:04.200 --> 00:12:05.679 for a head coach, might be a list for that 244 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:07.720 hit me, and that is it? 245 00:12:07.759 --> 00:12:09.799 You know that there are different lists at the moment 246 00:12:09.879 --> 00:12:12.480 for different people, obviously, but on my to do list 247 00:12:12.480 --> 00:12:15.120 at the moment is player signings. 248 00:12:15.200 --> 00:12:16.159 That's that's the reality. 249 00:12:16.240 --> 00:12:18.360 You know, we need to build out a roster of 250 00:12:19.320 --> 00:12:22.919 players that can compete in USL League one next season. 251 00:12:22.919 --> 00:12:24.159 You know, there'll be a lot of teams and a 252 00:12:24.159 --> 00:12:26.000 lot of people out there that are going, oh, they're 253 00:12:26.039 --> 00:12:29.000 a year one, they're a startup. Yes, we are, one 254 00:12:29.080 --> 00:12:31.039 hundred percent. We are, and that's obvious and that's there 255 00:12:31.080 --> 00:12:34.159 for everyone to see. However, you know, if we're going 256 00:12:34.200 --> 00:12:35.519 to do it, let's try and do it properly, and 257 00:12:35.559 --> 00:12:36.960 if we're going to do it, let's try and do 258 00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:39.080 it to the best of our ability. And that will 259 00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:40.960 come down to the team that we put out on 260 00:12:40.960 --> 00:12:43.559 the field on a match day, because ultimately, we want 261 00:12:43.600 --> 00:12:45.480 to create a roster or a squad of players that 262 00:12:45.519 --> 00:12:47.879 can compete and we want to win games. 263 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:49.080 That's the nature of the Beast. 264 00:12:49.120 --> 00:12:51.960 At any soccer or football entity wherever you are in 265 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:54.840 the world, it's about points and it's about winning games. 266 00:12:54.840 --> 00:12:57.000 You know, I'm well versed in that myself. 267 00:12:57.480 --> 00:13:00.399 But equally, you know, I want to build out an 268 00:13:00.600 --> 00:13:05.360 environment here where players can feel safe, players can feel supported, 269 00:13:05.600 --> 00:13:08.000 and players can come into training each day knowing that, yes, 270 00:13:08.039 --> 00:13:10.159 they are going to be improved and developed as a player, 271 00:13:10.440 --> 00:13:12.440 but they're also going to be improved and developed as 272 00:13:12.440 --> 00:13:12.879 a person. 273 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:17.000 And I'm a person first person. That's me. The better 274 00:13:17.080 --> 00:13:19.519 the person, the better the player. And if we can 275 00:13:19.559 --> 00:13:20.799 make sure we're taking care. 276 00:13:20.679 --> 00:13:22.600 Of our players in a way that allows them to 277 00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:24.480 know that they can come in and feel safe, secure 278 00:13:24.480 --> 00:13:27.720 and thrive, then that will hopefully need to a team 279 00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:30.159 on the pitch on a match day that feels safe, 280 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:32.440 feel secure, and can go and express themselves. And that's 281 00:13:32.440 --> 00:13:34.879 what I want to create. So there's lots of conversations 282 00:13:34.919 --> 00:13:37.279 going on in the background at the moment with several players, 283 00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:39.360 and it is them sounding us out as a club 284 00:13:39.960 --> 00:13:42.279 and us sounding them out as individuals as well, and 285 00:13:42.440 --> 00:13:45.240 making sure that the fabric of that individual fits into 286 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:47.679 our beliefs and our values as a club as well, 287 00:13:47.720 --> 00:13:51.480 because I know firsthand it only takes the one bad 288 00:13:51.480 --> 00:13:54.080 egg or the one bad individual that can really upset 289 00:13:54.159 --> 00:13:56.919 the group. And it's so important to do your due 290 00:13:56.960 --> 00:13:59.960 diligence in your background detail to make sure you do 291 00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:02.360 bring in the right players for the environment that you're 292 00:14:02.360 --> 00:14:05.360 trying to create. Having said that, though, I also do 293 00:14:05.399 --> 00:14:09.120 personally think it's important that with doing your due diligence, 294 00:14:10.159 --> 00:14:12.480 you making your own viewpoints as well in that individual 295 00:14:12.679 --> 00:14:14.559 and making sure that you are happy and you are 296 00:14:14.559 --> 00:14:16.759 comfortable with the individual that you're bringing into a club. 297 00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:19.240 Other people may have worked with that player or with 298 00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:22.080 that agent, with that individual before and will have their 299 00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:24.320 own personal beliefs and values and what they think of 300 00:14:24.360 --> 00:14:26.639 that individual. But for me, I want to be able 301 00:14:26.679 --> 00:14:28.879 to judge that person's character for myself. Am I going 302 00:14:28.919 --> 00:14:29.759 to get everyone right? 303 00:14:30.159 --> 00:14:30.519 Of course? 304 00:14:30.559 --> 00:14:34.759 Not no manager does, no exporting director does. But opportunity 305 00:14:34.799 --> 00:14:36.440 is what we want to try and create for people. 306 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:39.399 And as I say, environment is key for me in 307 00:14:39.440 --> 00:14:42.200 building the right culture where individuals can come in here 308 00:14:42.240 --> 00:14:44.919 and thrive and hopefully that will bring some success down 309 00:14:44.960 --> 00:14:45.600 the line as well. 310 00:14:46.320 --> 00:14:49.960 How much did you know about USL slash, USL League one, 311 00:14:50.080 --> 00:14:54.039 slash as Sporting director, USL League two and WN aspects 312 00:14:54.080 --> 00:14:55.440 and all that kind of stuff coming into this. 313 00:14:56.639 --> 00:15:00.799 I had a knowledge, but not a detailed knowledge being open, 314 00:15:00.919 --> 00:15:04.240 being honest, transparent, and when contact was first made there 315 00:15:04.279 --> 00:15:07.080 was a lot of time and energy spent on really 316 00:15:07.080 --> 00:15:09.519 doing my research and really gaining a good understanding of 317 00:15:09.559 --> 00:15:12.080 the landscape over here because it is so vastly different 318 00:15:12.200 --> 00:15:13.440 to different to the UK. 319 00:15:13.879 --> 00:15:14.960 Have ill. 320 00:15:16.039 --> 00:15:19.159 Mentally manufactured or got my head around all the leagues 321 00:15:19.240 --> 00:15:23.200 below USL League one and two. No, because there are 322 00:15:23.320 --> 00:15:26.399 so many leagues and looking into the college years and 323 00:15:26.440 --> 00:15:29.879 the levels that are played there, there's so much. But 324 00:15:29.919 --> 00:15:32.000 I'm really fortunate and I've got some really good staff 325 00:15:32.039 --> 00:15:34.200 around me that have a much greater knowledge of that 326 00:15:34.320 --> 00:15:37.080 aspect of the game over here that they can educate me. 327 00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:40.679 And you know, I've not shied away from that, giving 328 00:15:40.679 --> 00:15:43.919 the people the autonomy to tell me and advise me 329 00:15:44.039 --> 00:15:46.279 and help me and support me with that, because you know, 330 00:15:46.320 --> 00:15:48.759 we're all shaping things together, so we're all learning together. 331 00:15:49.320 --> 00:15:51.679 But what I also do know is there'll be many 332 00:15:51.679 --> 00:15:54.159 a manager out in the Premier League that have an 333 00:15:54.200 --> 00:15:56.120 understanding in the Premier League but I've never coached or 334 00:15:56.159 --> 00:15:58.279 worked in it before, but still go across there and 335 00:15:58.279 --> 00:16:00.519 make a success of it because they have the right policies, 336 00:16:00.519 --> 00:16:02.559 that have the right procedures and they have the right 337 00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:04.759 processes that has allowed them to be a success. And 338 00:16:05.200 --> 00:16:07.000 certainly that's The way I've looked at this role is that, 339 00:16:07.200 --> 00:16:09.799 of course I don't know everything, and I'd be foolish. 340 00:16:09.440 --> 00:16:10.720 To see here in front of you and say that 341 00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:11.039 I do. 342 00:16:11.559 --> 00:16:13.679 But what I do have is the right work ethic, 343 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:16.600 and the right attitude and the right humility for as 344 00:16:16.679 --> 00:16:18.799 for help and support if I don't know. But once 345 00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:21.840 I do know, I'll make sure that I remember it. 346 00:16:22.120 --> 00:16:24.679 I'll make sure that I implement things. And even at 347 00:16:24.720 --> 00:16:27.320 the age of forty five, I'm happy to learn. I 348 00:16:27.399 --> 00:16:28.840 want to learn, and that's what I'll do. 349 00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:34.240 How much USL League one watching have you done? Since 350 00:16:34.279 --> 00:16:36.679 you have picked up one job title and then a 351 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:40.320 second job title? I mean, are you Are you familiar 352 00:16:40.440 --> 00:16:42.919 with what's going on with Los Bujos, the murder owls 353 00:16:42.960 --> 00:16:45.240 up in Omaha. You're taking road trips, so you're going 354 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:49.919 to Statesboro, You're seeing what's going on with Tormenta or 355 00:16:50.159 --> 00:16:53.279 Greenville Triumph. What familiar are your watch? Are you camped 356 00:16:53.279 --> 00:16:56.159 out on weekends watching Central Valley Fuego is what I'm asking. 357 00:16:56.440 --> 00:16:58.279 There's been a lot of watching. Have I got in 358 00:16:58.279 --> 00:17:00.720 the car or the flights have made those journeys? No, 359 00:17:00.799 --> 00:17:02.960 not as yet, because I'm also I've only been over 360 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:06.279 here for yesterday, made exactly a month since I've been 361 00:17:06.319 --> 00:17:11.359 over here, because you know, getting into the US from 362 00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:13.440 a visa point of view, it came. 363 00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:15.640 With his challenges. I'm not gonna lie to come with 364 00:17:15.640 --> 00:17:17.720 his challenges. And you know it's not just myself to's 365 00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:21.319 come across you know, the wife and kids. 366 00:17:21.440 --> 00:17:24.160 You know, the wife has made a ridiculous sacrifice to 367 00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:25.559 come out here as well and give it up a 368 00:17:25.599 --> 00:17:28.359 fantastic job, to come out here and back me and 369 00:17:28.400 --> 00:17:33.160 support me and help me do this role. So the 370 00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:35.839 importance of helping her settle and helping the family settle. 371 00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:37.039 As well as a paramount importance to me. 372 00:17:37.079 --> 00:17:38.839 And I'm never going to deny that or shy away 373 00:17:38.839 --> 00:17:41.720 from that, because a happy home leads to a happy 374 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:42.160 work life. 375 00:17:42.200 --> 00:17:43.880 As far as I'm concerned that, I want her to 376 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:45.720 feel safe and secure. 377 00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:48.039 In allowing her to live her life and build out 378 00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:50.359 a life out here whilst Nanda in this job as well. 379 00:17:50.440 --> 00:17:53.079 So we've not been able to do those road trips yet. 380 00:17:53.240 --> 00:17:57.480 They will happen probably next year when the season starts. 381 00:17:57.519 --> 00:17:59.400 I'll be obviously seeing when I can go in and 382 00:17:59.480 --> 00:18:02.319 visiting clubs between our games so I know who we're 383 00:18:02.319 --> 00:18:07.200 playing next. But yes, the Internet and my laptop and 384 00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:10.039 certain other aspects of things that you can utilize to 385 00:18:10.079 --> 00:18:14.400 watch teams and research teams. They are being exhausted at 386 00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:17.920 the moment and just gaining an understanding. You know, I'm watching. 387 00:18:18.079 --> 00:18:19.880 I'm not going to name the teams, but those that 388 00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:22.279 are listening and you will know. I'm still trying to 389 00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:24.359 fathom how I can be watching a team playing eleven 390 00:18:24.440 --> 00:18:26.799 v eleven game of soccer or football, but there's a 391 00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:31.519 baseball pitch within the football soccer pitch. I'm like, it's 392 00:18:31.559 --> 00:18:35.640 blown my mind, but it is now my reality, and 393 00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:37.839 it just brings a different challenge as a sporting director 394 00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:40.119 and head coaching that how do you now set your 395 00:18:40.160 --> 00:18:43.880 team up for success with taking those factors into account 396 00:18:43.880 --> 00:18:47.400 as well, so important aspects of the role, important aspects 397 00:18:47.440 --> 00:18:49.519 of the job, but all things that just are going 398 00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:51.799 to improve me and develop me as a human, improve 399 00:18:51.880 --> 00:18:54.839 me and developed me as a head coach and sporting director, 400 00:18:54.920 --> 00:18:58.759 and ultimately helping improve those players that are coming into 401 00:18:58.799 --> 00:19:01.279