LEIGHTON MCNAMARA

Nationality: 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Coach for: UJFC U8 Rams 🐏 , Social Media Officer

Footballing history: I played for Uttoxeter Juniors FC when I was 6 years old and stayed with the club right the way through to 16 when I went on to play adult football. I played for various Sunday league teams in the local premier division, and the highest level I ever played was two seasons for Ashbourne FC on Saturdays alongside my Sundays. 

Supports: Derby County. The mighty rams. 

Favourite Player of All Time: My favourite player of all time is Beckham. David Beckham has always and will always be my boyhood idol. Loved watching him play. Loved his haircuts. Loved the adverts he did. That goal against Greece to qualify us for the euros is the most emotional goal I’ve ever witnessed. 

Best UJFC Memory: Best memory for the juniors playing was when I was in the U13 side. We won the league by a huge margin and we won 2 other cups. In terms of coaching my best memory was watching our U7 side playing their first game in the league. All the training and organising kits and things was all made worthwhile watching the boys run out ready to play their first ever proper football match. 

Interesting Fact/Story: I’m very superstitious when it comes to football. When I played I would always have to sit in the same seat in the changing rooms. If we were away I’d have to get changed next to the other centre half. I also park in the same spot on our match days now for the juniors. 

Coaching Philosophy: As a boy I always remember things my coaches said, that have stayed with me today. So for me, as a coach, I think that there’s nothing better than offering your time and experience to children through football and being a part of their journey.