In conversation with Jamie Forrester

Jamie Forrester has kindly agreed to talk to us about his recently formed Football Academy, The Jamie Forrester Soccer Academy. The Lincoln City striker is certainly planning for the future but has certainly not ruled out a career in professional football long after he has retired.

There are players around the world that could earn enough money in 2/3 months to support them for the rest of their lives. When they retire in their mid-30s the majority will just lounge around until the day they die. Several Premiership players are on around £100,000 per week and after just one year they'd never need to work again. However, for 99% of footballers around the world that luxury will never be available to them.

Lower league players tend to go on longer in their careers than those higher up the league. Most do it to secure a bit of extra money just incase they fail to find a job they love straight away, or just if they fail to get a coaching/managing job. However, Jamie Forrester is trying to avoid that possibility and he has set up his own footballing school, the Jamie Forrester Soccer Academy (http://www.thejamieforrestersocceracademy.com/).

Forrester has enjoyed a successful career so far and has been promoted from the fourth tier of English football three times. Jamie often proves a lucky omen for his fourth tier sides. Scunthorpe, Northampton and Hull were all promoted whilst he was wearing their colours and Bristol Rovers won promotion last term after Forrester had left, although Forrester admitted he didn't watch them win promotion.

In an exclusive interview with us, Jamie didn't hide his feelings regarding Bristol Rovers winning promotion.

"That defeat to Bristol Rovers certainly stayed with me for a while. Infact I couldn't even bring myself to watch the final even though many of my mates were playing for Rovers. You can't hold a grudge though just because a club got rid of you. I don't think there are too many players in the lower leagues who haven't been shown the door by one manager or another."

With his career now entering the final few years, Jamie has decided to help out youngsters who want to enjoy the beautiful game. Jamie's children went to a footballing school but Jamie thought to himself that he could give a better all around experience for youngsters.

"Since having 2 children who love playing football I always wanted to help them to enjoy it when playing with them at the park. They since have been to other soccer training schools where I watched and thought: I could do that better, I could make that more enjoyable, I could teach them more, I could be better organized" stated Jamie. He continued "The thought first cropped up when I lived in Bristol although I'm glad I didn't form it there seeing as though I didn't stay there long term."

He continued "The children enjoying themselves is something that was on top of the list when forming the academy. If children come training I want them to go home having had an enjoyable, positive experience. Sessions are fun based, lively and fresh and my excellent coaching staff and I are always keen to vary the sessions to keep them stimulated both  technically and mentally .Each child is treated equally and there is absolutely no elitist attitude whatsoever in how we deliver our sessions."

Jamie has certainly given himself an excellent opportunity to make his academy work. In the recent past he has gained several qualifications including FA Advanced UEFA B Coaching Licence, the FA Coaching Children Certificate, the FA Emergency First Aid Certificate as well as the FA Child Protection and Best Practice Certificate. All these were vital to Jamie as he wanted the best possible environment for his students.

"Parents can bring their children safe in the knowledge that they are having fun, learning new skills, gaining in confidence, making new friends in a safe environment. Child safety is of paramount importance to me and steps are taken to ensure that children train as safely as possible."

However, Jamie was quite humble about expanding the school to other areas of the country. Despite playing in various areas of the country he is worried that his name isn't that well known outside of Lincolnshire. He was very confident about his product though.

"For starters I'm not sure that my name will be as recognisable in many other areas outside Lincolnshire. That's not to say that what we offer isn't good enough to grow to a large scale. If I was to franchise it I would insist that it was done correctly as it is my name that people would think if there was any negative feedback."

However, his Lincoln based academy could potentially have difficulties if his contract at Lincoln City isn't extended beyond the current season. Jamie is one of several players out of contract at Sincil Bank and Peter Jackson has already stated that he is looking to have a squad of just 17 or 18 players. However, having an average of nearly a goal every other game certainly does Jamie's chances no harm. When asked about his long terms plans he was positive about his future.

"I want to play for as long as possible and at the highest possible level. Personally I feel that I still have something to offer although that decision is not mine to make. If and when I come out of professional football I have plans in place to hopefully grow the academy into a full-time venture. There are many areas where I could add to the academy although at the moment I am focused firstly on playing football."

Jamie is encouraged by the progress of some of his students but when asked if there were any that stood out as potential first team footballers, he replied - "Even when you look at England schoolboy squads over the years trends suggest that only a small percentage are still playing professionally into their early twenties so to judge primary school aged children is very difficult."

"That's not to say that some are not showing early promise although children develop at different stages depending on many different aspects of their everyday lives. I must say however that in the 6 months since forming the academy many, many have shown big improvements in technical ability as well as lots of other skills which we teach," he continued.

Jamie's main piece of advice to any youngsters is to simply try your best.

"This may sound simple but if you do your absolute best then nobody can ask anymore. However it is only the individual who really knows if they could have done any better. There have been players over the years who have greatly over achieved with the natural ability they have been born with. These players surely deserve more praise for the players who have all the ability in the world but lack the application and desire to make the most of what they have."

So, there is an introduction to Jamie's academy, if you wish to find out more then go to http://www.thejamieforrestersocceracademy.com/. I would personally like to wish Jamie luck with his academy whilst at the club and long after he leaves (via one method or another).

Jamie was also kind enough to answer some questions about his Lincoln City career. To see the second half of this interview, go to Page 2.