Courtesy: Times & Star


Patriotic Tony quits Blue Star to coach England

By Martin Morgan

NEW England coach Tony Elliott has revealed that patriotism not profit prompted his switch from Tommy Cassidy’s Newcastle Blue Star.

The ex-Carlisle United keeper and Workington Reds assistant left Borough Park in September to link up with old boss Cassidy at ambitious Newcastle Blue Star.

But a chance to join the England futsal set-up as goalkeeping coach was too good to turn down.

Futsal is an indoor version of five-a-side football, and Carlisle-based Elliott jets off to Hungary with the England squad tomorrow for three World Cup qualifiers.

The game is hugely popular worldwide, and Brazilian superstars Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo honed their skills in it as youngsters, though it is still in its infancy in England.

Elliott’s international opportunity has come at the same time as a promotion from Liverpool. He had been running a keepers’ course at the Premiership giants’s Preston satellite centre.

But he has now been called in to their Academy at Kirkby to work part-time with promising juniors aged eight to 16.

“Coaching Workington and Blue Star was great, but when Liverpool and England knock on your door, you can’t refuse,” said the former England Schools and Youth keeper.

“Any patriotic man would think it a great opportunity with England. That’s why I’ve done it, not for the money.

“I’ve left a regular income with Blue Star. It’s a risk, but I’m not afraid of that.

“Tommy and I are still on great terms. We are still very close and he’s known about the situation for a few weeks.

“We have been going okay at Blue Star, but it was always going to be a difficult job in the first season, because of what went on before. He’s still there, doing his job and working hard.”






Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com