JUSTIN’S JOURNEY
A remarkable adventure
JUSTIN Walley wanted to become an international football manager – he became the manager of Matabeleland. He wanted to write a book – his excellent ‘One Football, No Nets’ is out now.
You may be starting to see a pattern. When Justin Walley sets his sights on doing something, he tends to make it happen.
Then again, he isn’t just your run-ofthe-mill kind of guy. The 48-year-old has travelled extensively in his action-packed life, learned plenty of different skills and not been afraid to take the kind of risks most people wouldn’t contemplate.
It was in September 2016 that he decided it was time for a life-change. He had been running Riga United FC in Latvia for a number of years and realised it had become too much. He needed to get off the rollercoaster and do something different with his life.
He went backpacking around the Indian Ocean for three months with his girlfriend Katya and began thinking about what he could do next. It was then that the idea of becoming an international football manager popped into his head.
He got involved with CONI
FA, the international governing body for non-FIFA affiliated nations, and, after a false step or two, was offered the chance to manage Matabeleland, a three-province region in western Zimbabwe.
There follows a diary of his escapades coaching the team in testing conditions, trying to get them physically and mentally in tip top shape for the challenge of the CONIFA World Football Cup in London last summer.
It’s a fascinating tale as Walley has to not only worry about the football side, but also try to raise the money to get the team over to England and sort out visas for them. Oh, and Zimbabwe was in flux as President Robert Mugabe’s lengthy reign was about to come to an end.
It is a cracking story and one that features the power of football and friendship on the journey. Walley tells it well and manages to get help along the way – he even persuades Liverpool legend Bruce Grobbelaar to become the Matabeleland goalkeeping coach at an M6 motorway service station.
It’s not giving too much away to state that Matebeleland did get to London – it wouldn’t be much of a book if they hadn’t – and gave a decent account of themselves.
Walley’s time in charge came to an end shortly after and he can now sit back and reflect on an unlikely and memorable journey.
“It’s all very positive memories,” he said. “It was difficult at times and sometimes you question yourself, but it was definitely worth it.
“We went through a lot to achieve what we did. Even in the last few days before leaving for London, we didn’t know if we’d make it.
“We got there and the lads really gave a good account of themselves on and off the pitch. A lot of people fell in love with the team and they have a lot of support now all over the world.
“People want to see them playing. The team is continuing, they’re playing games and it’s all a success.
“My contract finished at the end of
June after the tournament and we left a decision about the future open while I was at the World Cup in Russia. When I got back I thought I couldn’t really go back out there on a voluntary basis again.
“I needed to get on with my own things and they’re not dependent on me. It was difficult to step down, but I thought it was enough.”
But it’s clear that Walley will always have special memories of his time at the Matabeleland helm, including a short cameo performance on the pitch in the CONIFA World Football Cup.
“Perhaps I might do something similar with CONIFA in future, but this was dreams come true and possibly a once in a lifetime chance,” he explained. “It was an absolute honour.
“Leading the team out as manager for the first game in London was incredible and when you hear the anthems, you feel so proud.
“I only played for about ten minutes, but it’s something you can never have taken away from you. It’s a good talking point.”
Walley keeps in touch with his former players on social media and watches with interest what Matabeleland are up to. They’re planning a tour to England this summer, finances permitting.
And he’s certainly staying busy himself.
“After last summer, I got the publisher and had to turn the book around really quickly,” he said. “The first part of this year I’ve just been promoting the book. I’m doing that to April and then I’m going to Brazil to do some travelling and watch the Copa America. “I’ll come back here and look for a coaching gig in August. I’m still involved with CONIFA and I want to get back involved in coaching. I’m open to offers world-wide!”
So as someone who has made their dreams come true, what would he suggest to those who are pondering life-changing decisions but are perhaps scared to take the plunge?
“The most important thing is leaving somewhere and starting something,” he said. “When you go on holiday, it’s hassle packing and going to the airport, but when you go it’s great.
“You aren’t going to achieve these things unless you commit to them. Set a date range and give it a go, and there’s no shame in failure.
“The worst thing is not to try to achieve a dream - because of the regret you’ll have later. A lot of people have regrets, they say, ‘I wish I had done that’. They put it off to the future, but today is the day. Try to do it and don’t be afraid if it doesn’t work out. “Even if it doesn’t, there will be other things that come out of it. You never know where it will lead.” Justin Walley is proof of that. ● ‘One Football, No Nets’, by Justin Walley, published by Bennion Kearny, price £12.99