EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH CRAIG AND MATTIE

Craig Beveridge

What attracted you to come coach the Stirling University Ladies Team ?

Firstly I'm a student at the university, doing my last year of the Sports Studies Honours degree. So I was delighted to be asked to coach with the University & give something back to Stirling. I also coach with Falkirk Ladies who are the reserve team for the SWPL side. So it made sense for me to do both and try and strengthen the links between the University & Falkirk Ladies.

What's your ambitions for the season ahead ?

My ambition for the season is to create a good environment for the Ladies to play and learn. And we then aim to gain promotion from the Scottish 2A BUCS League.

So far have you been happy with the two sessions we've had?

Yes the two sessions so far have been excellent. Fantastic numbers with over 50 girls at the first trials. There has been some great talent on show and training has been really positive.

What's your background in football?

Currently I still coach with Falkirk Ladies in the SWFL, and Harestanes United in the Stirling & District Amateur league. I am involved in a few programmes with the Celtic Foundation in Glasgow & also work with Celtic's Soccer Academy. Been lucky enough to travel to the United States, Canada, Venezuela, Sweden & Holland and coach with partner clubs of Celtic. I previously worked with the Scottish FA in East Dunbartonshire.

Mattie Hollingworth

What attracted you to come coach the Stirling University Ladies Second team?

I was attracted the Stirling University Ladies as it was a fresh challenge for me, I've always been involved in men's football and was keen to get into women's football and after a conversation with Matt Solomon I put my name forward and thankfully for me was asked to come help!

What's your ambitions for the season ahead?

My personal ambitious for this year is to improve my coaching and create partnerships with local clubs and build my own coaching ability to help improve the product I can give to the girls. For the team my ambitions are to get the group to gel together quickly and get a good solid start in the league. But most importantly we are all here to have fun and enjoy ourselves, winnings is a by product of this! So for me as long as everyone is happy and enjoying being involved that's successful for me!

What's your favourite memory in playing/coaching football?

My favourite memory in coaching is most likely when I used to coach the 4 and 5 year olds at Stirling albion and now that they are all older seeing them play and watching how good they have become and the fact they remember me coaching them as a kid! I now referee a lot of them so it's good to see how far they have come.

What's your background in football?

I have a long background in football, I first went to a game at the age of 3, and began supporting stirling albion from then on. I was a ballboy, I ran the ballboys, I've done the kits, I campaigned for fan ownership of the club, I've done the turnstiles, the tannoy, hospital radio, I'm currently vice chair of the supporters trust who are the majority shareholders. Ontop of that I'm a qualified referee, former amateur player. I also ran two amateur teams, coached children's football. So my background is pretty big but maybe not so much on the coaching side. I used to do interviews for central fm at the games as well you get an inside view!

A very postive start by the team has both coaches excited for the season ahead. After a very exciting and energetic first week, we look forward to the second week, which promises to be an interesting one as the First team take on Edinburgh 2's in their opening game of the season. Stirling are looking to hit the ground running, everyone who isn't playing is encouraged to come down and support the girls and spur them on to get 3 points on the board. Thank you to Craig and Mattie for the interview, and welcome them to the club. #BLEEDGREEN -Doc x