Dunnington Football Club boast one of the best-qualified managers in the country in Matty Wain. The York College teacher talks to TONY KELLY about the full-on challenge of achieving the coveted UEFA ‘B’ license.

GETTING a kick out of football – isn’t that what it’s all about? Well, Matty Wain is extracting as much, if not even more, of a thrill from coaching in the game than he did when he was a prized goal- grabbing striker for a host of non-League and semi-professional clubs.

Indeed, such has been Wain’s affinity for coaching that he has just passed his UEFA ‘B’ license, one of the foremost qualifications in European football.

And if he goes on to pursue a dream of one day making a living from coaching in the professional game, then being armed with the prized badge could go a long way to giving him the decisive edge.

For now though he is concentrating on his work as a teacher at York College and as manager of York Minster Engineering Football League premier division outfit Dunnington.

In preparation for the illustrious badge, candidates have to undergo more than 60 hours of coaching and theory work over months before culminating in arduous practical and written examinations spanning several days.

The 34-year-old Wain, who works in York College’s thriving sports department, actually sat the final examination at the College’s Sim Balk Lane base.

He admitted to being extremely nervous and unsure how he had fared right up until the point he was relayed the news that he had passed.

“It was full-on for two days,” he recalled.

“Originally it was scheduled for three to four days because, at the outset, there were 24 of us on the course. But because of how difficult the work was, that number had dwindled to just ten by the final assessment.

“I really did not know that I had done enough to have passed, so it was a great relief to find I had.

“I’ve been extremely fortunate in that my job at the College, where as well as teaching I manage the football academy’s first team, and my role as Dunnington manager has helped me greatly for my project work.

“It’s enabled me to do as much coaching as possible and now I am so very pleased to have passed my UEFA ‘B’.”

Earning the distinguished UEFA ‘B’ badge has elevated Wain to an elite group. The only qualification higher is the European football governing body’s ‘A’ license, which is needed before anyone can manage in the Premiership.

Given that having such a coveted criterion as the ‘B’ license is good enough to hold down a job as a coach of any Football League club outside of the top flight, it’s even more remarkable the UEFA ‘B’ distinction is now in the proud possession of the manager of Dunnington.

Wain’s freshly-acquired achievement is highly regarded by his club and the league.

Witness this admiring affirmation from Dunnington chairman Duncan Griffiths: “Not only is this great news for the club, but also I think great news for our feeder league.

“It lifts the profile of the league and gives others something to aspire to.”

Accomplishing such an accolade has always been something the affable and knowledgeable Wain has desired.

Even as a youngster who was catching the eye – and as regularly catching out defenders – as a prolific predator with clubs like York Railway Institute and Rowntree FC, Wain had coaching in his sights almost as much as opposition onion-bags.

Back in 1998 when he had barely reached his 20s, he took time out of his poaching patrol to coach Lakeside Primary School to the York Schools’ five-a-side trophy FA-backed competition.

“To be honest I always had an eye on coaching,” revealed Wain, who started out as a player with Dunnington juniors before progressing to York RI and Rowntrees where he came under the stewardship of Jim Collis.

“I also worked briefly at York City’s community programme and even when I was at Uni and I came back to play each week for the likes of Selby Town, where I had nine years, Pickering Town and Tadcaster Albion, I was always also doing a spot of coaching.”

After two years at university Wain forewent the third year to work for Graham Vickers’ Premier Soccer School programme in York where the coaching bug began to bite even more deeply.

He had already passed a flurry of exams – level two coaching, child protection and FA examinations – and work placement put him at Hull City, York City, Bradford City and Middlesbrough, and so the appeal of coaching increased.

Five years ago he joined York College in the sports department. Coincidentally he is currently in charge of the York City scholars who attend the Sim Balk Lane establishment.

“I do get a buzz out of training. As a player you are all about yourself, but as a coach and manager you have to consider the team, the squad, organising how they play and how you counter what the opposition puts up against you, so it is far more demanding,” said Wain.

That tactical and coaching nous is presently being applied to Dunnington where Wain is determined to cut his teeth and apply his knowledge.

He has nothing but praise for the team where he started as a junior.

“Dunnington is one of the premier clubs in York. It certainly has one of the best set-ups from juniors right through all age levels up to seniors and a fantastic pitch. It’s an exciting time.”

However, after earning his UEFA ‘B’ license through mud, sweat and hours of peering through notes and books, Wain is understandably ambitious.

“The ‘A’ license is the next logical step up, but if I am to get into a Football League club or a good non-League club, then I would struggle without the ‘B’ license,” said Wain.

“Getting a foot in the door at a club like that would be fantastic. But I know how volatile the world of professional football is. You may have a job but when a new manager say comes in then there’s often a new broom and you are out.

“But it’s a possibility and may be two or three years down the line, who knows? But I need to get more coaching in.”

That desire spinning Wain’s world is going to be a big bonus to Dunnington and York football.