Bobby Downes has pretty much done the lot in a colourful career, and is as keen as ever to lend his experience to a club that shares his vision, as he told Givemefootball
Q: What can Bobby Downes bring to a football club?
A: I genuinely believe that the next five years will be the best of my career. I don’t think there is any substitute for experience and all you need to do is retain your drive and ambition, which I have done.
I have worked in a coaching capacity for the last 27 years and when I left
Wolves 13 years ago I had three months off. I have currently had two months off so that means five months off in 27 years! It hasn’t done me any harm to have a break but I feel as though I still have a lot to offer.
Q: Would you like to work with an academy again?
A: I have worked under some top managers and at first team, reserve and Academy level so I think that stands me in good stead. People would probably associate me with the youth side as I have been at the
Blackburn Academy for the past 12 years but I am open minded and would look at all offers.
I think people might look at me a wise old fox and I am currently doing some part-time scouting for Preston but will be looking for something permanent. I am realistic though and am prepared to listen to any offers.
Q: You must be proud of your record of developing players at Blackburn Rovers?
A: I was looking at the Sunday Times a couple of weeks ago where they list all the teams and I counted around 36 players who were playing at some level within the Football League.
There have been plenty more over the years and clubs are always after the next big thing. I think we clawed back around £30m in transfer fees on Academy players during my time at Blackburn and it wasn’t easy.
Q: Why is it so difficult to produce young players at Blackburn Rovers?
A: There is a lot of competition in Lancashire as you have the likes of Liverpool, Everton, Manchester United and Manchester city who have all increased their budget.
It doesn’t make it impossible but it makes it difficult. Blackburn have had the same budget for eight years, which is still decent but you can get blown out of the water with what some of the other clubs are spending.
Q: But you still produced players of the calibre of David Dunn, Damien Duff and Damien Johnson?
A: As I said it is difficult to get the best players on your own patch at times when you are competing against some of the clubs I have mentioned previously.
We had to chisel players out and I feel that Blackburn is a working class club where, as a player, you have to put in a working class shift. You don’t get a pat on the back for working hard as it is a given.
Q: Why did you decide to leave Blackburn Rovers?
A: I had been there for 12 years and had a really good relationship with John Williams and Tom Finn but I just felt it was time for a change. I wasn’t sure the changes I wanted to make would happen so it seemed a good time to shake hands and move on.
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