After a year of work on the UEFA Pro Licence with colleagues in the English game, Steve was part of the intake of coaches to achieve the award and he spoke to TheFA.com on what he made of the course.

Steve told us: “It has been a good group on this course, right across all the divisions. It has been interesting to spend a lot of time working with people from all areas of football."

Steve also reflected that he had learned a great deal about the lower leagues, thanks to the close contact he kept with his colleagues during the year of training. 

“I think I’ve learned a lot about the lower leagues and the managers that work there, probably more so about that side of things.

“Myself, I’ve been lucky to work mainly in the top level of football, at our club we are in a fortunate position that we can afford to get the best in every area – that’s maybe not the case at the lower league clubs," Steve told TheFA.com.

The style of delivery also impressed Steve, as the courses opened the floor for discussion on several occasions with questions and ideas flowing from all those taking part.

“What they do on the course is they give you the shared knowledge and the coaches and managers can decide what they are going to do with their own clubs and their own situations.

“It’s important that young coaches want to improve and take on board all the knowledge they can.

“The aim of going on the course is more important as older managers drift out of the game it gives me a fresh slant on the lower leagues – it was a great experience.”