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About Stephen Wilson and the Kings AFC Club History
Championship Manager, the football management game by Eidos has got a lot to answer for in the generation of kids growing up with me through the 90s. I dread to think how many hours of my life I spent sat in front of my computer toiling away with tactics and new signings striving to get some poor Conference team to compete with the biggest clubs in the world, yet that is where the bug for management started for me.
Football has always been a favourite pass-time of mine, in fact I sometimes amaze myself with how long I can watch it, read about it, play it, talk about it or think about it without getting bored!
Having played school and then Saturday and Sunday league football since my early years I love the simplicity of taking a ball down to the park with a group of friends and wasting away the hours, kicking the bag of wind back and forth between each other or at two jumpers placed side by side for goal posts.
Through these years I have played for numerous clubs, such as Brinsley Chaffateux Colts, Foleshill Rangers and the hugely successful Corks FC university side operating mainly as a central midfield player, and then on occasions at right full back.
Then during my time at university I spent three years working for Coventry City football club. As a marketing assistant, support journalist for the match-day magazine and games analyst. In this role I was supporting the CCFC coaching staff by using a powerful computer and analysis software to help them make speaking to players at half time, full time and during the week easier and more visual. Just being around the dressing room when some legends of the game are talking tactics to their teams was a real privilege and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Working under coaches like Gordon Strachan, Gary McAllister, Eric Black, Roland Nilsson, Steve Ogrizovic, Peter Reid and Richard Money, and playing alongside former professionals and CCFC staff like David Busst, Craig Shakespeare, Trevor Peake, Neil Cooke and Andy Harvey in the clubs staff team, helped my game and footballing knowledge tremendously.
More recently it was the Bedfordshire side Blue Chip who stole my affections and time and it was here that my enthusiasm for management and dictating team tactics was fuelled. Especially after being named team captain during the 05/06 season. Now, I’d like to think, a slightly older and wiser head, I do have to admit to being turned into a centre half since being drafted in there as cover by former manager Kain Kelly – I didn’t return to my midfield birth.
The idea of forming Kings AFC was spawned in the early new year of 2006, and gradually came to fruition following lengthy discussions with friends about the complex process of starting and leading a successful team. I had known that the church I go to, the Kings Arms had tried starting a team in the past and really felt that it was an exciting opportunity to build a community and competitive football team all in one! In fact I was so excited by the idea – I even decided to fund the team myself, which is why you see Marble Web Design plastered over all of the shirts!
(On that note if any of you are looking for a website or know of someone who is - do not hesitate to give them my number!)
I was also delighted when close friends Lee Morgan, Euan Crane and Matthew Fordham got behind the idea, and supported me in starting the team. Through church contacts, friends, colleagues and former team mates the Kings squad has slowly begun to take shape and is looking really strong for the upcoming season.
Guys, it has taken a huge amount of time, effort and money to get the club of the ground, but it was such a proud moment when I saw the team running out for the first time last Saturday, wearing my shirts, with my new companies name on them, and the team filled with such great guys and good friends.
I am thoroughly looking forward to a successful season and a new chapter in my footballing life – but even more excited about spending time with each of my team mates, getting to know you better and building strong and long lasting friendships.
Steve ‘Sylvain’ Wilson
Kings AFC Manager
Management
Stephen Wilson: Manager
Steve is the team manager, club sponsor and web designer for Kings AFC. Having worked tirelessly to launch the team for the new 2006/07 season he is looking forward to a busy, yet exciting maiden season.
Euan Crane: Chairman
Part-time Police officer and part-time pastor Euan oversees Kings AFC, and supports manager Steve with club decision making.
Lee Morgan: Assistant Manager
Like Euan, Lee has responsibility for supporting Steve in team decisions as well as putting his work-life skills into practice and looking after the clubs bank accounts.
Matt Fordham: Secretary
Part of the four piece group for running Kings AFC, Matt also has the vital role of being the club secretary. Organising fixtures, communicating with league and opposition club officials as well as helping to keep club's paperwork in order.
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