"I had to laugh last week when one of our part time coaches told me he was desperate to get into football for his full time job because of the glamour", writes Youth Development Officer Dan Ashworth (pictured).

When I told him about a typical week as a Youth Development Officer he changed his mind and also said he thought it would be interesting for people to read how we spend our time.

Everybody on the coaching staff at Cambridge is the same, especially John and Dale who spend several evenings a week scouting on top of their hectic daytime schedule.

This was my timetable for last week:
 
Monday: Into the office for 10:00 where I have about two hours paperwork to do from the weekend fixtures. Reports to write, match books to fill in, referee's money to account for, and kit to wash. Had a meeting with a scout and then copied 100 different homework programmes for our younger players. Each age group has a different physical programme so it is time consuming.

At 18:30 went to the Under-12 and Under-13 training session. I stayed for about an hour and saw Mel and Dave put the squads through an excellent session. I watched the trialists carefully to see if they can get into the squad.

Left at 19:30 to go to the home of an injured player. It is important they are not forgotten and still made to feel important. Got home at 21:30.
 
Tuesday: We have a staff meeting at 11:00 every Tuesday to plan the coming weekend.  We always have nine fixtures to organise, transport, ref's plus first team ball boys, stuff on the pitch etc.

Meeting with ICIS to sort out some kit problems, then off to the station for 17:00 to collect two players. I then take the Under-17s for a two-hour training session and return home via the station at 21:30.
 
Wednesday: I always take Wednesday off to spend with my family.
 
Thursday: 10:00 meeting at ground regarding transport to games. Spent the day in the office replying to letters, I get about 40 a week to answer. Print numbers on new kit ready for the weekend and planned my coaching session for the evening.

At 18:00 collected boys from station and then took Under-17s for a two-hour session before returning home again via the station at 22:30.
 
Friday: Busy day getting ready for the weekend. Moved goals to new training ground, met new driver at 14:00 and then the Under-13 coach at 15:00.

Took the Under-13s for a coaching session at 18:00-20:00 and returned home at 21:30.
 
Saturday: Took Under-17s at home to QPR, players report at 10:00 for an 11:00 kick off. Straight from that to first team game against Torquay where I have been asked to do the radio with Mark Johnson. Return home at 18:00.
 
Sunday: We have games against Gillingham where the players meet at 10:00 for an 11:00 kick off. My day starts before this as I have to meet a player at 7:00 so he can get to the coach to Gillingham for an 8:00 departure as his parents have to work.

I spend the day with the Under-11s, have a meeting with them afterwards and they leave at 14:00. After speaking to other coaches about today's games I get home at 15:30.

I'll leave you to decide if that's glamorous. The reward? When John Turner scores on his debut, and every Saturday when I see our youth players now in the first team.