PREMIER DIVISION
P W D L F A Pts
Shamrock Rvs 29 18 6 5 46 17 60 Derry City 30 16 10 4 48 24 58 Dundalk 30 14 11 5 42 23 53 St Pat’s Ath 29 15 6 8 43 25 51 Sligo Rvs 30 11 8 11 39 35 41 Bohemians 29 9 9 11 35 37 36 Shelbourne 29 9 7 13 25 35 34 Drogheda 30 7 10 13 29 47 31 UCD 29 4 7 18 22 58 19 Finn Harps 29 4 6 19 28 56 18
CHRIS FORRESTER has revealed that he has taken his first steps into the world of coaching — with a United Churches League Division Two side called The Local!
It’s an opportunity for the St Patrick’s Athletic star to find out whether coaching is for him.
At the age of 29, he is already thinking about the next stage of his career — and he is desperate to stay in the game.
“I’ve been thinking about that for the last few months, I’ve been thinking about possibly doing the B Licence,” said Forrester.
“I think I have a bit to offer the game. I’m always speaking to the younger boys and trying to coach them in the game.
“I’m probably filling them full of nonsense, but I feel like I have an opinion. It’s something I’ll probably have a look at.” to enjoy it and express my personality.
“(A lot of footballers), they are just doing a job. It’s not a job for me, I love it. I love football. Every time I step out on the pitch I just want to express myself.”
He added: “I’ll probably go into a coaching job and change my whole style!
“It’s something I’m possibly looking at, because I’m not getting any younger and I want to stay in the game.”
There is a long way to go yet. He signed a “multi-year” contract with St Pat’s at the start of this season.
But he also took his first tentative steps into the world of coaching this year — with a side named after a restaurant owned by a friend of his.
“I actually coach one of my local teams, they are called The Local,” said the former Peterborough and Aberdeen ace.
“That’s all my mates — from all around my way. I coach them, just to see if I have a feel for it. I was saying, if I can coach them, I can coach anyone.
“They play in the Phoenix Park, the United Churches League.
“I just like to do some of the sessions and I try to give little bits of advice and stuff. They’ll look at me as someone who has played at a good level, so they’ll value my opinion.
“I’m not going into there trying to tell anyone how to play football.
“The level is what the level is. It’s just trying to put a shape and a structure on things, and trying to rub off on a couple of
“But I have enjoyed it and it has given me a little feel for what it’s like. It’s just a bunch of lads having a good time with each other. That’s the way it should be.”
So where does he see himself in the future?
“I might come for the Pat’s job… I’m only joking,” replied Forrester.
Shape
“I think I would like to do it (get into coaching). I love the thinking behind passing drills and structures and shape and stuff like that.
“Like I said, over the past few weeks and months I’ve been thinking about it. I’ve been messing around with formations in my own head and stuff like that.”
Back to the present and Forrester has stressed the importance of a top-three finish this season.
Pat’s are currently fourth in the table, two points behind Dundalk with a gamein-hand over the Lilywhites.
Unless Derry City win the FAI Cup, fourth won’t be enough to secure European football next year.
“You don’t want to be sitting on your hands, waiting for Derry to go and win it,” he said. “Anything can happen. You have seen Cup finals over the years, anything can happen.
“We have good momentum, we are in a good vein of form. We just want to go and get the job done ourselves rather than depend on anyone else.”