Making a decision for the future

Newcastle United’s Head of Education and Welfare, Jimmy Nelson, pulls no punches when it comes to spelling out to youngsters the need to plan for another career – and therefore take advantage of the opportunities offered by Premier League Learning.

Jimmy, a former schoolteacher of Alan Shearer, says that the lure of success in the world o football means many players find it hard to look beyond the game as a career.

“It is difficult to persuade the lads that they are going to need another career option, as most of them believe that football is going to work for them,” he admits.

“By the time they realise they are not going to get a club they are out of my remit. They often start their second career three or four years down the line.”

However, Jimmy is well aware that – drawing on his own experience as a young footballer – it is often better to take time over alternative career decisions. “When I left the game, I only lasted a couple of months in the first job I tried. It was only when I sat back and thought about it that I went into teaching. It takes a long time to get over the disappointment of not making it as a footballer, which is a good time to do some thinking.”

Which is where the ASE programme has been created to support the football element of a two-year scholarship. The combination of work-based learning and theory sessions ensures that the scholar receives a balanced and challenging education programme.

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