Jimmy Bone nets local coaching role

Jul 18 2012 by Johnathon Menzies, Stirling Observer Wednesday

MUCH-TRAVELLED striker Jimmy Bone is returning to Stirling to mentor the next generation of local footballing talent.

Jimmy (62), who hails from Fallin but now lives in Kincardine, has taken over the reins of the SFA’s School of Football project at Wallace High School.

Jimmy, who played at Partick Thistle, Celtic, Norwich and Hearts and managed St Mirren, among others, replaces former Dundee United and Motherwell player Ian Jenkins.

After taking up his post Jimmy told the Observer the chance to return to Stirling was “too good to turn down”.

The School of Football gives promising players in S1 and S2 a two-hour training session each day of the week during the school term.

Jimmy said: “The kids that are selected are always really, really keen on their football and this project gives them the chance to train and play every day.

“They’re involved for two years and we also instil things like fitness, the importance of living a healthy lifestyle, having a good diet and other psychological aspects: things like teamwork, how to prepare for matches and learning how to handle things when they either win or when things don’t go their way.

“In order to be part of the project they have to have good attendance at school and keep up with their lessons and homework.

“Every single child that’s ever taken part in the School of Football has gone on to become a better player.

“We don’t play matches, as we’ve found that it gets to a stage where the result becomes all-important and we want to develop skills, but more often than not the kids are playing matches at the weekend with other teams anyway.

“I’ve always had great feedback from the parents and the schools involved. I think the School of Football is a great opportunity.”

Jimmy concluded: “I think there should be similar projects for other sports. It shouldn’t just be football.”

The SFA Schools of Football are supported by the Scottish Government’s Cashback for Communities initiative.