PHILLISKIRK STILL HAS THE LOVE AFTER 26TH SEASON IN COACHING

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Post-season chat with U18s boss

2024-06-10T14:00:00.000Z

PHILLISKIRK STILL HAS THE LOVE AFTER 26TH SEASON IN COACHING

Post-season chat with U18s boss

2024-06-10T14:00:00.000Z

Post-season chat with U18s boss

U18s Manager Tony Philliskirk has a wealth of coaching experience to his name, having taken up the profession immediately upon retirement from playing in 1998.

2023/24 was the 59-year-old’s 26th since hanging up his boots but the former striker says he continues to learn new things and enjoy his role every day.

“I came to Burnley at the end of 2018 and it’s a completely different role to what I was used to at Oldham Athletic, where I was working with the first team and later as Academy manager," he said.

“I’ve worked with players of this age for 20 plus years, though, so I like to think I know what makes them tick. I’ve had to adapt as things have evolved in the game too.

“I’m learning every day and I love my job. I think I’m a very empathetic person which is important, with some of the lads leaving home and all of them having just done their GCSEs.

“You have to have a bit of steel about you too and I think I’m very fair – it’s the way I’ve always done it and it’s held me in good stead in the past. I’m still enjoying it as I did when I first hung up my boots."

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The U18s’ season started in earnest with the scholar signing evening at the end of June, with the Club’s new intake and their families visiting Turf Moor to mingle and hear from various departments.

After putting in the hard yards at Burnley Training Centre it was then off to St Andrews in Scotland for a joint pre-season trip with the U21s.

“It was great to get the lads away and be together,” added Philliskirk.

“The main aim was getting the new scholars integrated into the group, and we did that by mixing rooming lists.

“We had some great facilities and really kick started our pre-season fixture programme too, but more than anything it was about bonding and integrating elements of team spirit and play, which is just as important as being a good footballer.”

At U18s level, the main aim is of course player development and Philliskirk recognises the importance of giving players game time within that process.

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He explained: “I’ll always try and put my subs on. The most important thing to help their development is playing, so I like to spread the minutes around where possible.

“It doesn’t matter how good a coach you are, ultimately the game is the best teacher. From Monday to Friday in training, I can’t recreate things that happen specifically in a game.

“I also use a review process where I ask the boys to write how they think they’ve done in a game, and I do the same. We then sit down together on a Monday morning, put them side by side and go through them.

“I think that builds trust between you and the players and it’s been a real positive. When I was a player, I always wanted to know what my coach thought.”

Burnley eventually finished 4th in the Professional Development League North section, taking 46 points from their 30 matches courtesy of 12 wins and 10 draws.

The young Clarets finished the campaign really strongly, losing just two of their last 10 league games and taking 18 points from a possible 30.

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Additionally, they competed well in the FA youth Cup, beating Birmingham City and Queens Park Rangers in the third and fourth rounds respectively before bowing out to eventual semi-finalists Bristol City.

Philliskirk finished by looking back on that run, saying: “When I was a kid, sitting in front of the telly and watching the FA Cup final was the be all and end all – it was like a national day.

“The FA Youth Cup is viewed in a similar way in the Academy world – it’s the best competition and everybody wants to win it.

“Birmingham was a fantastic experience full of drama and scoring in the 120th minute was great, as was the shootout that followed.

“At QPR we had a first team like experience, travelling down and staying in a hotel. We did really well on the night and controlled the game well – it was pretty comfortable and a really good performance.

“Bristol City are by far the best team we played all season. I thought 3-0 was a bit harsh – we missed some great chances, hitting the bar and missing a penalty, but we were beaten by a better team who got through to the semis and only lost 1-0 to Man City. “