FORMER Notts goalkeeper Mick Leonard has returned to Meadow Lane to take up his new role as director of the Centre of Excellence-and promised to play his part in reviving the club’s fortunes.
And he is in no doubt about the size of the task which confronts him as he strives to re-launch a youth scheme.
He said: “It’s a massive challenge but I’m really looking forward to it.”
“Everyone knows that one of the strengths of Notts County over the years was the way they kept producing good young players but we’re having to start again from scratch.”
“It’s going to take a long time to get back to anything like it was. But we have to start somewhere and that job is now under way.”
Leonard’s immediate challenge is to find 100 talented young players before the start of September to join the various squads, ranging from under-9s to a combined 15-16 age group.
And he added: “We’ve put together a steering group to oversee the running of the project, and now I need to put in place a programme of activities and find the coaches and players.”
“Nottingham has always been regarded within football as an excellent breeding ground for promising young footballers and I’m looking forward to getting around the schools and finding out if that is still the case.”
Leonard, who made 204 League appearances for County from 1979-88, has been working as an academy director in Dubai for the past two years and before that was national goalkeeping coach for the New Zealand FA.
He added: ““I’m excited about linking up again with Ian McParland and Dave Kevan and the opportunity to come back and play a part in reviving the fortunes of Notts County really appeals to me.”
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And he is in no doubt about the size of the task which confronts him as he strives to re-launch a youth scheme.
He said: “It’s a massive challenge but I’m really looking forward to it.”
“Everyone knows that one of the strengths of Notts County over the years was the way they kept producing good young players but we’re having to start again from scratch.”
“It’s going to take a long time to get back to anything like it was. But we have to start somewhere and that job is now under way.”
Leonard’s immediate challenge is to find 100 talented young players before the start of September to join the various squads, ranging from under-9s to a combined 15-16 age group.
And he added: “We’ve put together a steering group to oversee the running of the project, and now I need to put in place a programme of activities and find the coaches and players.”
“Nottingham has always been regarded within football as an excellent breeding ground for promising young footballers and I’m looking forward to getting around the schools and finding out if that is still the case.”
Leonard, who made 204 League appearances for County from 1979-88, has been working as an academy director in Dubai for the past two years and before that was national goalkeeping coach for the New Zealand FA.
He added: ““I’m excited about linking up again with Ian McParland and Dave Kevan and the opportunity to come back and play a part in reviving the fortunes of Notts County really appeals to me.”
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