NEIL MAKES
In the era of the professional
sportsman and manager, Cardiff
Devils bench coach Neil Francis
is something of an anomaly.
BENCH MARK
He combines his role with the
full-time professionals at the Devils
with working at a full-time career in
business management, just as he did
throughout most of his 18 year career
which was virtually entirely spent with
the Devils as a gritty forward.
He oozes the history of the Devils
having been part of the glory days of
the 90s and is now a key part in the
rebuilding process going on in Cardiff
Bay. With head coach Gerad Adams
playing, on match days it is Francis in
charge.
“I had a little taster as bench coach
at the end of last season when I was
injured and Coach Gerad Adams had
returned to the ice to play. It worked
well so we made it a permanent role
for this season,” he explained.
“I am used to working and playing as,
except for a couple of seasons, I've
always done it. Only training once a
week was a bit tough but I was never
a highly skilled player so I didn’t rely
on that in games. I guess only training
once a week kept me hungry for the
games.
ice hockey
WANT TO
WORK IN
Anna DaviesNeil Francis
SW
46
SPORT?
words Hamish Stuart
sportingwales
issue10twothousand&ten
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