It may be some siblings’ worst nightmare,
but it’s a family affair at Culter Colts U16s, as 18
year old Alex McMahon coaches a team of players just three years younger than him… in which his brother James plays
upfront. YFS’s Neil Matheson asked the siblings how their family relationship affects their dealings with each other on
the pitch, and more about playing juvenile football in Scotland.
ALEX
WHAT IS IT LIKE WORKING WITH YOUR BROTHER IN
FOOTBALL?
At first it was strange because he has never listened to me
before, but I just see him as one of the players. Everyone is
equal in my eyes. I enjoy working with him because he is a
very talented player, who is also very entertaining to watch.
I also think it is an advantage as we know everything about
one another on and off the pitch, making it easier for us to
communicate.
WHAT MADE YOU START COACHING THE TEAM?
I started coaching the team when I was 14. It was just after
my own Culter Juvenile team had folded when James’
manager Andy put out an email to all the parents looking
for coaches to help him out. My dad showed me the email
and I texted Andy immediately as I was so excited about
staying involved with Culter Youth FC. Andy invitated me to a
training session, and i have been there ever since!
DO YOU FIND YOU HAVE AS MUCH AUTHORITY AS
OLDER COACHES?
I believe that no matter the age of the coach, your authority
should be based on how you work with the players. When
i first started, many players had not yet gained full respect
for me as I was only a few years older than them and very
inexperienced. But as time passed, the lads soon recognised
me as a coach- and not only as their mate’s older brother.
Opposition managers in the past have questioned my
authority, I just answered them with an “unlucky guys” when
my lads had beaten their team.
WHAT HAVE YOU GAINED FROM COACHING THE
CULTER COLTS?
Commitment, patience, leadership and respect are all up
there, but the main thing I’ve gained from my coaching is
pride. Not only pride in winning, pride in watching players
develop their abilities over the years and putting it into action
on the pitch.There is no better feeling than knowing the effort
and time you put in is rewarded by the players enjoying their
football and improving. That is what it is all about.
WHO IS YOUR MANAGERIAL HERO AND WHY?
I don’t really have a managerial hero. All my methods and
approaches to coaching are my own, although I have learnt
a lot from my Dad. He has gone to almost every one of my
games since I began playing aged 6 and still goes to mine now.
He was always been my coach in a way as he would give me
a pre-match talk in the car on the way to my games and give
me advice from the side-line. I’ve learnt a lot from him, which
I pass onto the players, so it would be him. Perhaps Roberto
Mancini, as he won the league with City!
JAMES
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE ORDERED AROUND BY YOUR
BROTHER ON THE PITCH?
Weird because I don’t listen to him at home, but I know I have
to at training and on match days - these are the only times.
I listen to him in football because he has experience and
knowledge of playing at this level. I know everything he tells
me is advice to better my game so if I’m gaining from it, I don’t
mind listening to him for once.
WHEN YOU PLAYING, DO YOU THINK OF ALEX DIFFERENTLY THAN YOU DO AT HOME?
No, I still see him as my brother. I’ll take his sessions seriously
and his advice but I can still make a joke about him or something like that. I think he treats me differently than at home
though because he can’t show favouritism. I think I can push
him a little bit further than the others though.
WHAT HAVE YOU GAINED FROM PLAYING FOR THE
CULTER COLTS?
I have been part of Culter Youth since I started football. This
shows that I have found commitment to the team. Many of
the players in my team today have been there for years as
well so we know one another’s games really well and have developed friendships. This has improved my teamwork skills,
which is vital for a football team. Every season gets more serious as you get older and more competitive. I feel that I have
matured every year to fit the demand of the game. I have also
gained awards at my time with Culter, the main ones being
Player of the Year, Top Goalscorer and Clubman.
AS A CENTRE FORWARD, HOW DOES IT FEEL WHEN
THE BALL HITS THE BACK OF THE NET?
It’s one of the best feelings in the game, especially if it’s the
goal that wins you the match. I love listening to the crowd
cheering us on as we are building an attack and the roar
when I put the ball in the back of the net. I also take pride in
setting someone else up for a goal. It feels good if I’ve put a
lot of effort into getting someone in a good goal scoring opportunity and they succeed as i feel like i played a great part
and everyone is happy.
IF YOU COULD MEET ANY PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER
FOR A KICKABOUT, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
I am a big Manchester City fan, so it has to be Sergio Aguero.
He is such a talented and gifted striker who I would love to be
able to play with. I would like to get tips and advice from him
on how to improve my game. That would be pretty awesome!
Issue # 1 | YFS Magazine | 31