Dabbers win nationwide acclaim

Nantwich Town’s coaches and players took centre stage at the two day FA Licensed Coaches Conference at St George's Park.

The Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division Dabbers were in the spotlight on both days of the prestigious event which was staged over the weekend at the new National Football Centre near Burton.

Saturday saw coaches Chris Lloyd and Steve Smithies present to conference delegates on the Dabbers’ coaching philosophy alongside Sir Trevor Brooking and Toni Minichiello, coach to Olympic golden girl Jessica Ennis.

On Sunday Nantwich's Under 18′s were coached by Neil Dewsnip, Everton FC’s Academy Head Coach Neil Dewsnip, as part of a coaching tutorial for delegates attending the conference. The players, who toured all the state-of-the-art facilities, used the official England Team dressing room before their session, which took place on the replica Wembley pitch.

Dabbers Chairman Jon Gold was delighted with the FA’s high profile endorsement for the club’s development of young players.

He said: "For Nantwich Town Football Club to be invited to speak at such an important and prestigious event at the England training base is testimony to the policies and progress that the club has developed and implemented under Clive Jackson and Steve Smithies.

"For our club to be held up as a shining example to the footballing world is a wonderful achievement. Clive, Steve and the other coaches who give their expertise and time should be very proud."