Ex-Cardiff City boss emerges victorious in Managers’ Cup
Former Southampton and Cardiff City boss Dave Jones led a team of unemployed youngsters to PROBIZ Managers’ Cup glory on Wednesday 16 November at West Bromwich Albion’s Hawthorns Stadium.
The tournament, run by the League Managers Association in conjunction with Kick It Out, PROBIZ, Community and The Prince’s Trust, consisted of eight 6-a-side teams made up of 16-25 year olds. All based in the Midlands, the players that took part are currently on a Prince’s Trust Football Initiative programme, gaining key work place skills such as confidence, motivation, communication and teamwork.
On the day, the youngsters were managed by the likes of Aidy Boothroyd, Brian Laws, Peter Reid, Paul Simpson, Gordon Strachan and Walter Smith, with winning manager Dave Jones saying: “I think my players were absolutely superb. They fully deserved their victory and they should be very proud of themselves. The biggest thing is that they all said together that they achieved this by working as a team.”
LMA Committee Member and former Charlton Athletic and West Ham United chief Alan Curbishley commented: “If you come and see the kids involved you realise we are quite privileged and it’s an opportunity for us to give something back. I think the boys and girls who took part really appreciated that we were there. For me I think if we give them a bit of a lift and point them in the right direction, then it’s great for everyone.”
LMA chief executive Richard Bevan said: “The LMA is delighted to support The Prince’s Trust. Football has the ability to bring people together for a common purpose, working as a team, motivating individuals and improving lives. With a fantastic line-up of managers this year the LMA’s members are some of the most recognized individuals in sport, where that recognition can help to raise the profile and success for causes such as The Prince’s Trust, our members are more than happy to support.”
In honour of pioneering black manager Keith Alexander’s involvement and commitment to football at all levels of the game, the LMA and The Prince’s Trust created the ‘Keith Alexander Fair Play Award’ back in 2010. This year, the accolade, sponsored by Kick It Out, was once again presented by Keith’s wife and son.