Q&A:
COACH
VIEW
PETER PHILP
AC OXGANGS 17S COACH
WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF THIS YEAR
FOR THE TEAM?
Last Season’s highlight was reaching the Jackie Faichney
Cup Final which was a great achievement for AC Oxgangs.
Unfortunately we lost out in the final to a strong Leith
Athletic side but it was a great effort by the team to get
there. So far this season, the highlight has been seeing the
side grow in stature and playing some good stuff, losing
only 2 games in 14 outings. Good progress!
WHAT IMPROVEMENTS HAVE YOU SEEN IN YOUR
PLAYERS IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS?
Most definitely it is their positional awareness, both
individually and collectively. We have spent a lot of time
‘shaping’ the team and this is now starting to pay dividends
as evidenced by the good start to the season.
IS THERE ANY PLAYER WHO HAS STOOD OUT
AS SOMEONE TO WATCH FOR THE FUTURE?
Never like to single out individuals as we are very much
a team with a very good work ethic, however over the
summer we added to the squad and these players have
definitely helped the side develop further. Why don’t YFS
come down and take a look for themselves?
52 | YFS Magazine | Issue #1
GOING 2014 WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR
THE TEAM TO ACHIEVE?
As a side we always look to get to the later stages of the
cups (hopefully a final or two) and finish as high in the
League as possible, that is progress and doesn’t change.
However, stepping back from the competitive nature
of the game, I would like to see the players continue to
develop. Next season sees a 2 year jump for them to U19s
and it would be great if they all continue playing football
to as high a standard as they can whether that be at
Under 19, East of Scotland, Senwherever.
DO YOU THINK THE STANDARD OF
GRASSROOTS TALENT IN SCOTLAND HAS SEEN
AN IMPROVEMENT? IF SO WHY DO YOU THINK
THAT IS?
There has always been talent at grassroots level in
Scotland. The challenge is ensuring that it’s given the
opportunity to develop and a chance to progress.
There are a lot of people working very hard to improve
football at grassroots level in Scotland and they have
to be commended. Things have improved. I think the
introduction of the Coaching Pathway has and will
continue help coaches develop players better. However,
that alone is not enough and there is still a bit to do in
terms of providing access to better training/match day
facilities along with a shift in the sideline ‘must win’
culture, particularly in the early stages of 11 a-side
football, to that of player progression and development.