Les Gets Involved

Michael Carrick is just one of the more famous names to emerge from Wallsend Boys Football Club, but if you look a little deeper into the club there are others giving just as much back to the beautiful game.

Les Howie developed his footballing skills at the same club as the English midfield duo, but at the age of 15 he realised he was not going to make it to a professional level.

The realisation that you will not make a pro-footballer can be tough at the best of times, but even at such a young age Howie realised he could still have a major involvement in the game.

And by getting involved in the coaching side of the game that is exactly what he did.

Howie is now the National Club Development Manager at The FA and devised the Level 1 coaching course, which has become the most successful course in UK sports coaching history.

But to get where he is today Howie has had to work hard, and deserves to be reaping the rewards by playing a prominent part in the growth of English football.

He says: "In my youth I would spend a lot of time having a kick-about in the playground or in the local parks, but I was also getting involved with my local side Wallsend Boys.

"I was an enthusiastic player but by the age of 15 I realised that I was never going to play any higher than Sunday League - not that there's anything wrong with that.

"People involved with the running of the club also got me interested in the other aspects of the game though, and consequently I was refereeing at 15.

"And before long I was also League secretary! When I reached 16 I was encouraged to take the next step and become the coach of the under-11 side."

The decision to turn to the other side of the game is a difficult one, but Howie's success since proves that the sacrifice can prove worthwhile in the long-term.

He has written two of the six FA Learning books which were launched earlier this year, and is considered as one of the FA's most experienced grassroots coaches.

But he insists the role of coach does not take the fun out of the game.

"It's given me a lot of involvement in the game and I have been able to make so many friends," he adds.

"Many people tell me that they get involved because they want to give something back to their club and want to feel part of the community.

"That is important to a lot of people, but to be honest there are so many positive reasons to get involved.

"During my time in the game I have met hundreds of like minded people who are as passionate as me about the game.

"The great thing about coaching is that you can have a lot of fun, but at the same time it is so good to help give something back to the game."

Howie is now an integral part of the FA, helping raise the standard of football at lower levels and produce the next generation of England stars.

And by getting yourself on the coaching ladder, you too could soon be helping the next Wayne Rooney embark on an exciting football career.

Log on to TheFA.com soon for more ways in which to Get Involved in the game.

The FA is responsible for the governance and development of football in England, and core to its work is the belief that everyone should have the chance to be involved in the national game.

In 2001, The FA launched a five-year Football Development Strategy to develop our national game, seeking to shape and develop innovative programmes to support and develop young people, teachers, coaches, leaders and parents.

The FA also recognises that sedentary lifestyles and obesity are a problem for this country, and is committed to working with the government and other partners to promote healthy lifestyles, and to use the power of football to achieve this wherever possible.

GET INVOLVED - Your guide on how to play your part