Shelley the key to Scotland’s success
Coach wins praise from her uni replacement Chris
Shelley Kerr’s prowess as a football coach was this week lauded by the man who took over from her at Stirling University.
Chris Geddes was speaking after the Scotland Women’s team, coached by Shelley, made it to the World Cup Finals for the first time following Tuesday dramatic 2-1 win over Albania.
Dunblane footballer Fiona Brown, who plays for FC Rosengård, in the Sweden, was on the bench for the final game of the World Cup qualifiers.
Now both Shelley and Fiona and the rest of the Scotland set-up are looking forward to taking on the best in the world next summer in the finals in France – 20 years after the Scotland men’s team last qualified for the World Cup’s later stages.
Shelley, 48, from Broxburn, West Lothian, took over Stirling University’s Lowland League team in August, 2014 – the first woman to be appointed coach of a men’s side at that level.
It followed a glittering career both on and off the pitch when she played for Kilmarnock and Hibs and won 59 Scottish caps between 1989 and 2008.
As a coach, she gained the UEFA Pro-Licence in January, 2013, and led Arsenal Ladies to an FA Women’s Cup and Continental Cup double.
Chris, who is from Deanston and attended Deanston Primary and McLaren High, Callander, became coach of the university side in July last year after Shelley succeeded Anna Signeul at the helm of the Scotland’s national women’s team.
Thirty-three-year-old Chris, who also coaches at Wallace High Sachool, Stirling, came through the ranks at Stirling Albion.
He represented Scotland at youth level before embarking on a career across numerous clubs in the professional and semi-professional leagues.
As well as an impressive playing CV, he has a UEFA B Licence and has spent a number of years honing his coaching skills in various locations including a season in Australia with Central Queensland as well as stints with the Forth Valley Football Academy and numerous university squads.
He has also played under managers such as Dick Campbell, Allan Moore and Michael O’Neill, now manager of Northern Ireland’s men’s team, and believes Shelley has similar coaching credentials.
Chris, who has been with the university team for eight seasons, six as a player and two as a coach, admitted he was taken aback when Shelley first took over at Stirling.
He told the Observer: “There was a lot of hype around the time Shelley was appointed to the job at Stirling University, because she was a woman, but we quickly realised she was a first class coach.
“I didn’t see any difficulties and when it came down to the coaching side there were no differences. She could lose he rag if you were not doing what was asked but you have to remember that the university is a unique environment and we are also trying to teach and build relationships.
“The only thing she really had to contend with as a woman, were some of the opposition fans and some of those associated with the clubs we were up against who didn’t respect her.
“But the fans pay their money and they can shout whatever they want. It never seemed to bother Shelley, She never responded to the crowd – she was there to coach.
“And she has a thick skin having played in boys’ teams for years as well as at the top of the women’s game.”
Chris was hugely impressed with the World Cup exploits of Shelley and Andy Thomson, who was her assistant at Stirling University and followed her to the Scotland set-up.
“To top the group in her first campaign is a brilliant effort and it is a great boost for the university and those who work here,” added Chris.
“I hope it will raise the profile of the women’s game and encourage fans to follow the team when they play in France.
“The finals are not going to be easy because all the top teams will be there but once you are there, at a tournament, you never know what will happen. The Scottish women’s team are a good side and showed that by also reaching the last stages of the European Championships.”
Chris said the help he had received from Shelley had been invaluable, adding: “In terms of coaching she has acted as my mentor and that has made me a better coach. I know if I have any issues I can telephone her and chat away and she will answer any questions. For someone like me, being able to get advice from someone like Shelley is amazing.”
And he continued: “If a woman is to go on and manage at the very top of the men’s game then it could be Shelley. It would need a club’s chairman or board to take a chance and if they did, she would not let them down.”