By Tom Burton
Craig Davies, Kinetic’s coaching chief, thinks the secret to progressing into the professional game is ‘giving everything in training’.
The 27-year-old played for Liverpool, Everton and Manchester City academies as a youngster before two years at Morecambe and a spell at Bournemouth.
Davies, a pacy winger, also enjoyed success in the Conference North with Burscough and Stalybridge Celtic, as well as in the US with New Orleans Jesters.
He thinks the key to developing as a young player is focussing on every aspect of your game and lifestyle.
“Give everything in training, as you would in a match,” said Davies, who most recently played for Wingate & Finchley in 2014.
“If an opportunity comes along to be scouted or go on trial, work hard and make sure you walk off the pitch knowing you did the best you could.
“Put the effort in off-the-pitch also. Extra training sessions, technical work, fitness sessions in order to get to a level where you’re able to perform to your maximum.”
Davies, an FA Level 2 coach, now works as the coaches manager at Kinetic, monitoring staff in schools, observing coaches and liaising with clients.
“Kinetic gives young people the opportunity to get involved with sport at all levels,” he said.
“And academy-wise, they give players an opportunity to train like a full-time scholar and showcase their talents in front of professional clubs.
“It also offers them an education, to focus on, if the sporting career doesn’t come off.”