It has been quite a rise for Watford Ladies under John Salomon but the girls and women’s development manager, who cut his coaching teeth out in America, is intent on creating further success.
Having joined Watford Football Club as a community coach in June 2008, Salomon switched to the ladies side of things two years later going on to serve as under-10s head coach, girls centre of excellence director and reserve team manager.
But after a poor start to the 2011/12 season, he was promoted to first-team boss in October, and after with five wins from their final seven games, they secured their FA Women’s Premier League status.
The achievement saw him awarded the FA Women's Premier League Coach of the Year award in 2012 and, proving that the year was no fluke, he guided the team to runners-up spot the following season, with a successful application to the 2014 Women’s Super League also secured.
The new look WSL gets under way in April
Salomon, who completed a degree in football studies at Southampton Solent University, began his road to success as a personal development officer for boys and girls at Chicago Fire in 2007.
It was an experience Salomon, then 21, admits helped shape his coaching outlook ahead of establishing himself at the Hornets.
"It was good in America. I was quite young at the time and went out there really to establish my coaching ideas,” said Salomon.
"I was there for six months and I thought if I enjoy it, then I know I can do it for a career.
"I then came back and eventually ended up at Watford, and it’s been a great few years.
"I really enjoy working with women's football. I've been doing it for quite a few years now and I’ve never really been interested in going across to the men’s competition.
"With the way the FA is moving the game forward it's a really exciting time to be a part of it and I love being a part of Watford Ladies. I want to take Watford as far as I can."
“With the way the FA is moving the game forward it's a really exciting time to be a part of it”
John Solomon Watford Ladies manager
Salomon, who is currently in the process of completing his UEFA A license, has not been working alone at Watford Ladies however, with a core nucleus of support staff around him.
The likes of goalkeeper coach Ben Dowsett – responsible for helping to develop the career of England U23 keeper Lauren Davey – and assistant Chris Thurston also play their part.
"Chris is really hard-working," explained Salomon. “He does a lot of the sports science side of things so we work well in tandem. It's funny, I'd say we're a bit like how Carlos Queiroz and Alex Ferguson were at Manchester United.
“He comes in with a big list of things to do that would make things better, he is very passionate and a really good communicator of ideas.
"Then there are people like Ben who is outstanding as a goalkeeper coach.
"We try and look at how we can take in their expertise and make sure we have the right people and things in place to ensure the girls are the best possibly prepared."
