Martin Davies first arrived at the Abbey as a 21-year-old goalkeeper in 1995 - eager to learn and on the cusp of what would turn out to be a nomadic career. Fourteen years later, he's back, and now the boot (or glove) is on the other foot (hand).

"It's brilliant, I'm really enjoying it, and it's making me feel young again. I've known Jez George for years - I was at City with him - and in the summer he asked whether I fancied coming here," he explains.

"He wanted me to coach the goalkeepers, which excites me. It's the end of my career and I'm trying to give something back to the people who gave me so much."

While assisting with the youth set-up, Davies plays in goal for the scholars, providing valuable experience and not least a safe pair of hands. After playing 50 games for Northern League Stamford last season, the Welshman was heading for retirement but he admits, "I want to play forever now!"

Listening as he speaks about his current role at the club and on his thoughts for the future, from each word there drips an understated passion - to develop talented footballers.

"I coach the under 9s up to 14s on a Friday night, and that's just as much fun as any league games I played in," he says.

"The lads are great, they're really professional. From a young age they know how they're supposed to be and they treat you with a lot of respect - that's all I can ask for as a coach.

"It's a more professional outfit that you might expect. Jez and Nolan (Keeley, head coach) know every player's name; the lads must feel 10 feet tall when the manager knows their name. Everyone feels part of it."

Davies is set to work towards his coaching badges, but for now, his manual is those years spent first at Coventry, then in CB5, before moves to Rushden and Cambridge City. Experience and memories collected from scores of contemporaries, coaches, managers.

He recalls his time as a trainee at Coventry City, where the unmistakable figure of Steve Ogrizovic was omnipresent. "I had Steve breathing down my neck for five years, he was an unbelievable professional - his training regime was frightening!"

Amid these reminiscences, and as though letting you in on a carefully guarded secret, Davies beams, "I trained with Neville Southall once actually, he was my hero. 'Ask your mum and dad' I say to the kids!"

Neville Southall

To the present and his coaching role with the scholars, with whom he trains once a week, the arrangement is simple: "I leave all the serious stuff to Jez and Nolan, and now and then I'll put my arm round them. I'll have my two pennies worth when I have to.

"They're getting used to me now - you try to keep it on a very professional level, but you get involved in all the banter.

"I like to talk to Daz (Coakley), I was trying to remember when I was a young pro. It's about getting your mindset right for every game, you're being watched every game, from the highs of 3 or 4,000 people, to playing in front of 100."

This is the behind the scenes work, the travails of the infrequently-seen coach, but the bedrock from which individuals build towards footballing success.

Saturday afternoon is the tip of the iceberg. Beneath the water there are the Martin Davieses, the Nolan Keeleys, they're not waving, but they're not drowning either - just getting on with it, and enjoying it as they go.

He concludes, "To be a goalkeeping coach - that's my goal, and this is the perfect opportunity."

Henry Milward

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