Bursary boost for leaders

The EVO-STIK NPL's Coaching Development Fund underwrites 50 per cent of the cost of studying for UEFA B badges. Fisher became the latest coach to benefit when he was presented with his funding cheque at half-time during last week's 3-0 midweek win over Hyde United at the Weaver Stadium.

Fisher is pictured with Davison while collecting his cheque from Mark Ogley, the EVO-STIK NPL's development officer who administers the scheme and celebrated a hat-trick of successes in recent weeks when he presented three coaches who were successfully funded with their qualifications.

Last season, six coaches benefited from bursaries which give students up to three years to complete their studies at a variety of venues including the Football Association's St George's Park. Other venues include Curzon Ashton’s Tameside Stadium and York College.

Fisher said: “I’m extremely delighted about the bursary. It means a lot to me that I can go and do my UEFA B license.

“It will not only benefit myself, but the players who are in the youth teams and the club as a whole because it mean it will help us produce better players for Phil Parkinson’s first team.

“Parkinson, his coaching staff and many of the first team have taken a keen interest in the progress of the youth team. They were at our FA Youth Cup games this season and Phil is always asking about the youth team and potential players who could make the step up.

“I think that one or two of the players could step up into the first team very soon but we will have to wait and see. When they do make that step up it will be fantastic to see.”

Nantwich Town chairman Tony Davison believes the scheme is the way forward for a club committed to developing its own talent and role in the community.

He said: “I’m delighted that Matt could receive the bursary from the league to help complete with his coaching awards. At Nantwich Town we are committed to producing players for the first team and with this bursary it will help us to produce more players who can push themselves into the plans of first team manager Phil Parkinson.

“You only have to look to the last few weeks with Troy Bourne making his first team debut at Cammell Laird and then completing 90 minutes at Ashton United in the Integro Sports Cup to see this.”

The Premier Division club's football development officer Steve Smithies, who also sits on the board at Nantwich Town, is sure the award will be put to good use.

Praising Fisher for his efforts, he added: “Matt has worked non-stop in the development of the players in our youth team. He guided the young Dabbers through two rounds of the FA Youth cup this year and the team were mightily unlucky to lose 1-0 at AFC Fylde as they did the club proud.

“Matt informs that there are a couple of players who are standing out and could be featuring in the plans of Phil Parkinson’s first team come the end of the season, which is fantastic.”

After heading to Stourbridge in September to reward Steve Fellows and Stamford to present Ian Evley with their formal qualifications, Ogley was at Mickleover Sport in October to congratulate sports physio and coach Dave Hoole on his graduation and present him with his certificate. Fisher is one of a fresh crop of coaches expected to take advantage of the scheme in the coming months with the start dates and details of new FA affiliated courses being announced this month.

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