about steve

In 1994, I returned home to England after coaching abroad, to launch my own soccer school… 'Steve Williams Soccer School'. October 2004 saw the Soccer School celebrate its' tenth year of success and a complete football education.

As I enter my fourteenth year as a football coach, I look back on those early years that lead to the present day…

…Following two years of study at Clarendon College in Nottingham, on a leisure and recreation course that included marketing and research, health, fitness and coaching, I secured a position coaching young players in the community for Derby County F.C. I also coached for Derby City Council Leisure Services and worked alongside a former professional player at his soccer school.

I always had the ambition of becoming a football coach and after spells with Northampton Town and Derby County Football Club and a successful amateur career, I had the drive to demonstrate my ability and was offered the opportunity of coaching and playing in the United States of America.

The contract involved developing the technique and skills in young footballers from the age of 5 to 14 years. I also spent some time at Lander University in South Carolina, coaching teams of players in the 16 to 21 year age group and playing in many exhibition matches.

It was already my plan to 'kick off' with my own soccer school once I returned home from America.

Since it's beginnings, Steve Williams Soccer School has continually grown with the introduction of new courses including Grass Rooters, Team Coaching, Mini-soccer, Super Saturday and Soccer Saturday, together with the extremely popular and fun football Parties for children up to 12 years of age.

My experiences and flexibility to coach with all age groups, has undoubtedly improved my knowledge of developing the players correctly. I have a lot of experience working with players from the age of 5 to 21 years.

Despite the school's development and success, I have never lost sight of my original values and continue to provide coaching for boys and girls of all ages and abilities. Every player can enjoy the game at a high standard and are able to develop and reach their own natural level of ability.

I established a new development centre, the Advanced Academy for Development, for those young players who exhibit the talent and real commitment needed for a potential career in professional football. To date, I have nurtured the potential of more than twenty-six very talented players who have been given the opportunity of joining professional clubs, either for trials or to sign.

During the 1999/2000 football season, I had discussions with two major football league clubs and a Premiership team. In July 2000 I accepted a position with Notts County Football Club, working with young players at the club's Centre of Excellence.

I continually work hard to improve my own coaching abilities and have become a highly qualified and licenced F.A. and U.E.F.A. coach, whilst working equally hard to assist young footballers of the future within the school and providing a complete football education.

In 2002 I accepted a position at Derby College for Deaf People, working with the ladies team, who went on to become the East Midland Champions for 2003. The popularity and success of this led me to coaching the men in the 18-21 year age group.

Later that year I was awarded the F.A. Youth Licence for under 11's and 12-16 year age groups at Lilleshall. I then began work developing Burton Albion Ladies F.C.

During my six seasons at Notts County Football club, my flexibility to work with all age groups, has seen me work at each level from the 9's to 16 years.

As the 2005/2006 season kicked off, Steve's soccer school took a further positive step forward with a direct association with Leicester City Football Club.

Director of Football, John Rudkin, welcomes Steve to Leicester City Football Club for the beginning of the 2005/2006 football season.