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In June 2014 Sir Trevor Brooking announced his retirement as The FA’s Director of Football Development, a position he held for more than a decade.
Brooking led the recruitment of highly-rated elite player development staff
such as (clockwise from the top) Dan Ashworth, Gareth Southgate, Mark Sampson, Matt Crocker and Neil Dewsnip
A highly respected figure in the game, Sir Trevor was responsible for restructuring the Football Development Division, including the recent appointments of Dan Ashworth, Gareth Southgate and Mark Sampson, and was a significant supporter of the building of England's National Football Centre at St. George’s Park.
“Most of those coaches working with the players in this age-category are part time coaches. Quite often they don’t have the time to really go out and learn what is required to stretch players – technically, tactically and psychologically – so they’re not working at the level required to produce excellent players by the age of 16.
“Worryingly the salaries being offered at the moment are a pittance compared to the money that is in the game and for me that is a massive mistake. At the moment a good youth coach in the 12-16 phase quickly moves to the 17- 21 phase because that’s where the better salaries are.
“Managers and owners are under so much pressure and scrutiny that they often only look at the players they’ve got for this year and next year if lucky. They don’t think they’ll be there long enough to see the benefits of players who are aged 12 or 13.
“This must stop and those at the top level need to recognise the importance of keeping the good coaches in the younger age-groups. Until we do that we won’t get the depth of quality players coming through that we should.”
“If we invest in more full-time coaches there’ll be no question about developing more quality English youngsters. By 16, we’re getting some who have the quality, but not enough.”
His commitment to the development of improved coaching standards both at grassroots level with children through The FA's Skills programme, and through the promotion of coaching qualifications across the professional game has been considerable.
Through the Skills programme, nearly five million places have gone to children since its inception both out of school and in schools where FA Skills Coaches deliver an accredited football- based physical education programme up and down the country.
Sir Trevor was a distinguished player for England, winning 47 caps, and playing over 500 games for West Ham
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