Grimsby Town: Shaun Pearson and Lawrence Heward team up for Trawling the Town
GRIMSBY Town defender Shaun Pearson is relishing his role as coach of the club's Under-Nines' 'Trawling the Town' team.
Together with former Mariners youth teamer Lawrence Heward, the centre-half is helping to coach and run the side – which was created with players that came through the Trawling The Town initiative.
The project, the result of a partnership between the Grimsby Telegraph and the Mariners, was launched to unearth the area's brightest footballing talents.
The majority of the squad were signed directly as a result, and Pearson has been impressed with both them, and the campaign.
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He said: "They're a great group and they're doing really, really well.
"We've got some great characters and like all youngsters they're all very keen and very eager to learn.
"For myself and Lawrence, that's great because it helps us to guide them as budding young footballers.
"We've got some really promising talents in that team which is encouraging.
"It's now all about nurturing that ability so that when they get older, they're prepared and ready to progress through the club and achieve as much as they can as footballers.
"It shows to me what a great initiative Trawling the Town is – I think it's such a good idea.
"I can't remember being involved in anything like that when I was younger – it's a great opportunity for kids.
"There's so much talent out there that probably was going unnoticed and this campaign has helped to unearth it."
The former Boston man is currently studying for a degree in sports coaching at the Grimsby Institute and fits his work with the Under-Nines around his studies and his first-team commitments.
It's certainly keeping him busy, but he's enjoying the opportunity to work with the youngsters – something which he enjoyed doing during his time as a semi-professional.
He added: "I used to work a lot with kids before I became a full-time footballer and it's nice to keep doing that because I think I would miss it otherwise. I really enjoy working with them and it's also a really good opportunity for me to give something back to the game.
"Lawrence is actually running the side and I'm just basically helping out as much as I can.
"I went up to Hartlepool with them and a couple of the other games and they're doing well this season.
"I obviously have to fit it in and around my first team commitments, but I'm really enjoying being able to help out where I can.
"They're really progressing and you can see how much they've come on already in the short time that they joined the Academy.
"It's something that's new to them and in that short time they've taken on board so much.
"We're really happy with them."
Comments
by UTMTilIDie
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 1:30PM
“GYman...Maybe you have mis-understood ?
My son WAS one of the lads who MADE IT THROUGH the 'Trawling the Town' session.
I replied via email giving all the details that were asked of me...Then...NOTHING since - in 3 months !
I fully accept whether a child may or may not be good enough to play for Grimsby SOE but in my sons case he wasn't even given that chance of trials to prove whether he was good enough or not despite him being told in a black and white letter that he would be given that chance.”
by The0racle
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 12:43PM
“I would love to know of the kids who made it into the squad which grass roots teams they came from.
I think the vast majority will have come from one or two clubs who have built a rapport with GTFC over the years and have the influence to push a select few forward.
I know of kids who have got through to stage two and then nothing.........
It wouldn't hurt sending a quick letter to an 8 year kid thanking them for their time.
Football is tough and the chances of playing professionally are slim at best, but if you are going to build kids hopes up you also need to let them down gently.”
by GYman
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 12:19PM
“Both of you need to get over yourselves. It's a good initiative that works both ways for the club and the kids. If they don't make it, then they don't make it but will have had the fun of playing football and developing skills and makig friends.”
by thealmighty
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 11:52AM
“UTMTilldie, i very much doubt it, 95% of kids wont make it,this is nothing more than a PR stunt, these kids will be used to fetch glory/cups to GTFC, then as i said, most will be discarded.”
by UTMTilIDie
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 9:48AM
“The 'Trawling the Town' is a brilliant opportunity for kids to be given the chance of playing for Grimsby Towns younger teams. Full credit to Grimsby Town FC for giving every child the opportunity.
Sadly for my lad it never happened.
He took part in the 'Trawling the Town' session in June, a few weeks later he recieved the letter explaining he had the potential to be trialled in with the academy team. I replied to this letter soon after and this is as far as it went. This was in July - 3 months ago.
Heard absolutely nothing since despite sending a couple of emails to Adam Smith - No reply. Even a phone call to Grimsby Town in which whomever I spoke to said would reply - Again nothing.
We all know as adults how the footballing world can be harsh out there but didn't think this would be the same for children. Maybe every other lad out there had their chance and for some reason my lad was overlooked. Maybe next year eh son ?”