I’m Buddies’ old Foley but I want to teach Saints stars
St Mirren skipper Sam Foley admits that he loves being the wise owl at the Buddies.
The veteran midfielder was the club’s Player of the Year last season as he used his experience to help the Buddies’ youngsters stay up.
He hadn’t realised he’d be the dressing-room doyen until he signed for Saints but he has relished his role.
And now Foley is looking forward to when he’s taught them so well that they’re starting ahead of him!
He turns 34 in October but the Paisley side’s kids have been warned he won’t give up his place without a fight.
Foley said: “It was only when I walked through the door at the training ground for the first time that I realised how young they all were.
“My whole career had been spent down south and even on the morning I made my debut I wondered if I’d done the right thing but I’m so happy I made the decision to come here.
“I’ve met some wonderful people – real football people. After talking to the gaffer for a few minutes it was obvious that he was a good guy with a clear vision and he sold the club to me easily and quickly.
“We’ve struck up a good relationship and he treats me with respect. He values me as a person and welcomes questions and input from me and the other lads.
“Some managers have the ‘my way or the highway’ attitude but Jim invites everyone to have an opinion and that improves us as a team. I wish I had someone like me around when I was starting my career.
“I wasn’t helped much by most of the older players back then but I’m here to help our young guys develop. If I can make them better and they get in the team instead of me then I’ll be delighted.”
Foley’s senior status was underlined this week by a call from one of his mates.
“He was playing a computer game and wanted to sign me for Swansea City because that’s who he supports but the computer said it wouldn’t let him do it because I was retiring!” Foley fumed.
“That was news to me but at least we had a laugh about it. I’ve started my B coaching licence but I’m concentrating on playing for as long as I can.
“Someone told me that I’m coaching while I’m playing because I’m constantly telling the rest of the lads where they should be, especially when I moved back to centre-half and I could see the whole game in front of me. That was interesting.”