Dave Wilkes nominated for FA Licensed Coaches' Club award
Carlisle United Football Club are delighted to announce that Dave Wilkes has been shortlisted for the Professional Game – Youth Development Phase Coach of the year award for the annual FA Licensed Coaches’ Club awards night function to be held at St George’s Park in December.
Long serving coach Wilkes, who initially joined the club in the 90’s before having spells away with Newcastle, Huddersfield and Gretna, returned for his second stint at Brunton Park under Paul Simpson in 2004 and has been with the club ever since.
“It came as quite a surprise to hear about this,” he said. “I received an email to tell me it was recognition for the coaching work that’s been done and it’s one of those things you never really think about, if I’m being honest.
“It’s good to know that people are watching the youth development work and that it has been acknowledged that we have personnel working hard at all levels of the club. I think the nomination came from the coaches I work alongside in this region and, as I say, it’s down to the work everyone does within our academy system.”
“The most rewarding thing for any youth coach is to watch lads go all the way through the system and make it into the first team,” he told us. “It’s an important aspect of the job because that’s why we’re here, to try to find and develop these lads.
“On the administration side of things, we have all put a lot of hard work in recently to achieve category 3 EPPP and nominations like this are a recognition of everyone involved in what goes on at the club, not just the person who has his name put forward.
“I’ll be at the awards dinner at the beginning of December but I don’t think it matters whether or not we pick up the award on the night. The fact we’ve been recognised in the first place is pleasing enough for us all.”
