Coach turns losers into ‘invincibles’
AFOOTBALL coach has transformed a team that was losing every single game, into ‘invincibles’ – winning every match they had this season.
Three years ago William Tuinukuafe, 49, from Norden, answered
an advert in the Rochdale Observer for children to come down and have a kickabout for Shawclough FC.
He took his son, Jaden, to have a go with the under 11s.
The current leader of the team saw William talking to Jaden and then asked him if he’d like to coach Shawclough FC.
Ex-military man William said: “In the two years he had been running the team, they had been losing every game.
“I took on the team, and, that season, we were battered by everybody.”
The team then lost some players – as William said, no-one wants to continually play for a losing side.
Son Jaden, now 13, became part of the team, and William began to bring in other players.
William said: “It was just a case of trying to rebuild.
“That second season, we finished third from the bottom.
“But last season, we never lost one game.”
The team now play in under 14s matches, and beat premiership team Pennine Black 7-3 in a friendly in June, at Heywood.
The under 14s have also beat Middleton Blue, Milnrow.
William said: “This is grassroots football.
“We have played championship teams, and beat them.
“I’m really chuffed - in my three years we have gone from the worst team around to one of the best teams.
“It’s just been progression to progression.”
William believes football is “80% fitness, and 20% skill.”
Using his training from the army, William incorporates elements into his coaching.
He said: “My lads are fit and strong,
“I do a few army drills with them - press-ups, sit-ups, and running.
“It’s hard work, and it’s time consuming, but it’s worth it.”