Gary Owers had a long and distinguished career as a midfielder with Sunderland, Bristol City and Notts County spanning nearly 18 seasons.
But, when he finished the PFA were there to support him in the next stage of his career. Gary tells Givemefootball’s Lawrie Madden what happened when his playing days came to an end.
Q: You had a long career in football. What happened when you finished?
A: I wasn’t sure what to do next. I am not sure if I fell into it or dropped into it but I decided to do my coaching qualifications. I did my level 1, level 2, level 3 and then my A licence all subsidised by the PFA.
Q: Since you finished playing you have never really stopped using the PFA to get more qualifications. Is that right?
A: Yes, besides the coaching qualifications I also took the A1 assessors course and also a post 16 teaching qualification which underpins what you do as a coach.
You may have the knowledge of football but with these qualifications you can put them into a classroom, practice doing schemes of work, session planning and so on.
Q: With hindsight would you have started all these courses earlier?
A: Yes. I went to
Sunderland as a 17-year-old scholar doing level 2. I should have gone on to do level 3 and not wait until I was 34 or 35 years old.
I have done a lot in a short time but I should have done it before I retired and not spending my afternoons on the golf course or watching Skysports.
Q: If you didn’t have the financial support from the PFA, do you think you would have done all these courses?
A: I am not sure but I would have taken longer to do the courses from a financial commitment. Fortunately the PFA eased that burden for me and made it very easy for me to fill in the form and get the grant. I don’t think I would have done everything without the help of the PFA.
Q: What do you do at the moment?
A: I run the charitable arm of
Portsmouth FC. It is a big department and I manage 40-50 people. I never saw myself doing this but I am well equipped to do the job with my qualifications. If things didn’t work out I would never be scared to go my own separate way as I feel I have the tools in the bag.
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