Grant wants to cast his spell at first team level - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS

Tuesday 17th April 2007

Grant Spelling, 42, has enjoyed plenty of success at reserve team level, but believes now is the time to spread his wings and coach at first team level, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Hextable based builder, whose married with two girls, has made the “tough” decision to leave Dartford, where he’s been coaching their under 21 (reserve) team, but he feels this is the right time to step up into first team level.

The UEFA A Licensed coach, originally played for Dartford during their Watling Street days, and has also played for Corinthian and Tilbury - but has an impressive list of honours whilst coaching at reserve team level that should impress any club.

His first coaching roles were at Corinthian and Dartford at under eighteen level and whilst with the Darts back in 1999, he won the league title, the Kent Youth League Cup and reached the final of the PLAAYA Cup.

“I thought it was important to start at the under 18’s, to get an insight on youth development really,” Spelling recalled in an EXCLUSIVE interview with www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

Spelling then spent three years in a part-time role at Crystal Palace in a community coaching role before returning to Kent football.

And more honours were set to come Spelling’s way, as he won the Kent Intermediate Cup and reached the final of the Kent Reserve Division Cup, whilst at Thamesmead Town.

Spelling was promoted from reserve team coach to first team coach, working with Martin Ford at VCD Athletic, before moving into the Southern League with Erith & Belvedere.

He then returned to Dartford to manage their under 21 (reserve) side but feels he needs to step up a level to enhance his career.

“Coaches, like players, want to step up and I’m no different,” he said. “I want to develop as well, and you can only do that if you step up.

And with previous experience at Southern League level, whilst at Park View Road, Spelling wants another crack at that level.

“When I was at Erith & Belvedere, I was in the Southern League, and I want to get back to the Ryman League as a coach really,” he said.

Spelling explained why he feels a club at Ryman League level - or above - should appoint him.

“I’m an A licensed coach and I’m experienced,” he said.

“I’ve had a few players go to professional clubs but haven’t lasted but I’ve produced many players for Dartford and they have stayed in Ryman League football.

“Terry Ratchford Nick Barnes and Steve Marriner, who played underneath me in youth team football, went on to play at first team level.

“I had Ryan Hayes as a reserve team player at Thamesmead so all these players have developed. It’s not all down to the coach, they’ve got to be half decent as well.”

But Spelling hasn’t ruled out the possibility of becoming a first team manager.

He said: “Manager? Possibly, eventually but being a manager takes a lot of time and through work commitments, that’s time that I haven’t got, but that’s a question mark for me really.”

And Spelling explained why he's leaving Princes Park.

“It’s a decision you have to make because you become stereotyped as a reserve team manager,” he said.

"If I stayed because of the ground, I won't push on myself, but I need to push on and get the experience.

“I have high regard of everyone at the club. I’ve been there a long time, as a youth player at Watling Street, but it’s hard for me to leave but it’s a tough decision for me to make.”

The current Dartford first team management team of Tony Burman, Steve Robinson and Paul Sawyer, have all previously played for the club, but Spelling insists people that haven’t will be made welcome.

“They never close the door on anyone at Dartford,” he said. “Someone from outside can come in.”

Burman has given Spelling his blessing to move on to pursue his career at first team level.

“We’d be sorry to see Grant leave,” he said. “He came in at a time midway through last season and helped me and the club out.

“I’m sorry to see him go but I understand that he needs to push himself with the qualifications that he has and to realise his ambitions.”

Burman is, therefore, looking for a replacement to run his under 21 (reserve) team next season, and anyone interested can call him direct on his mobile or contact the club on 01322 299 999.

He added: “Whoever comes in will work very closely with myself - we train on the same night.”

Grant Spelling can be contacted on 07973 309 586.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper coaches John Macrae and Craig Clark, are inviting all goalkeepers in Kent at Kent League level or above to compete in “Keeper Wars” on the Community Pitch at Princes Park on Sunday, 24^th June.

“Keeper Wars,” where teams of two goalkeepers battle to save shots and score goals, is very popular in America and is coming to Dartford in the summer.

This will test your ability to the full and is great fun. It’s like a good training session and as coaches, Craig and John think Kent’s top goalkeepers will benefit and improve themselves.

You can enter as a pair, you and another goalkeeper, and you may play for the same club - at first team or reserve team level - or you may have a friend who plays for another club in goal.

The entry fee is £5.00 each and their will be prize money and trophies up for grabs.

For more details then please email keeper-wars@hotmail.co.uk or telephone Craig Clark on 07737 575 973 or John Macrae on 07753 912 905.

Please mention that you read this article on www.kentishfootball.co.uk when making contact.

Visit Dartford's websites:

www.dartfordfc.co.uk & www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk/forum