For Steven Gillespie, returning to LFC to work as a coach for the International Academy was an easy decision. As a Liverpool fan and someone who came through the Academy himself as a young player, he knows The Liverpool Way as much as anybody.

Steven admits he feels honoured to be working back at the club that gave him a pathway into professional football, in a position that enables him to work around the world to help develop young players’ skills at LFC International Academies, Soccer Schools and LFC partner events.

“I feel particularly privileged to have the opportunity to show young fans and parents around the world how unique LFC really is.” he says.

“Seeing the excitement in a young fan’s face and delivering the unique and authentic LFC experience around the world is a real pleasure.”

Career in professional football

Steven first joined Liverpool aged nine, a dream come true for any young Reds fan. He spent ten years at the Academy, gaining a reputation as a natural goal scorer as he progressed through the ranks.

In 2004, Gillespie left Liverpool to embark on a successful professional playing career in the Football League, including spells at Bristol City, Cheltenham Town and Bristol Rovers – one of only a small number of players to ever play for both Bristol clubs. During his time at Cheltenham, he helped the club secure promotion to League One via the play-offs.

Steven says: “Promotion in the play-off final was a career highlight. Playing at the Millennium Stadium and winning was incredible, and the party that followed was just as memorable!

“Also, scoring against big teams in big stadiums such as Swansea, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton, silencing 20-30,000 home fans in doing so is some feeling.”

Like many players in the modern game, Gillespie started to look at life in football after playing at an early age, and coaching was the natural way forward.

“As a coach I need to have a greater understanding of the roles and responsibilities of all positions. There are many other important factors to consider as a coach as well, such a safeguarding, planning and organisation, whereas when you’re a player, it's purely about the game itself.

“My last professional club was Bristol Rovers who I left in 2014. I first started my coaching badges when I moved to Fleetwood Town at the age of 26 as I had an idea my body wouldn't be able to play professionally much past the age of 30. I wanted to prepare for a life after playing.” he added.

Coaching at LFC International Academy

Now a UEFA A License coach, Steven loves being back with the Reds. Once the opportunity arose to re-join the club a couple of years ago, it was a no-brainer for the ambitious coach who credits Liverpool as developing him both as a player, and as a person.

Steven said: “Being offered the opportunity to represent the club I owe so much to was a really easy decision.

“I was very privileged to be coached by the best. Being a product of LFC Academy not only gave me technical and tactical knowledge of the game but supported me throughout my development as a player and a person, also giving me confidence to have the mind-set required to succeed.

“If I hadn't had the coaching and support, I had during my time at LFC as a young player, I wouldn't have had the career I have had. For that, I am very grateful, and glad I can now repay them with the work I do for the club globally.”

Friendships made during his time in the Academy still hold firm today, with ex-LFC Academy teammates such as John Welsh, Neil Mellor, Tim Dittmer and Andy Nicholas still among Steven’s closest friends.

Now though, it’s all about passing on the experience and knowledge to a new generation of Reds fans and young players around the world. As part of the LFC International Academy, work has taken Steven across the globe, teaching young players to play The Liverpool Way. It’s also allowed him to see first-hand just how passionate Liverpool fans are, regardless of location.

“Being from Liverpool and an LFC fan, to see the support and passion from our fans the other side of the world really did astound me. It really spurs me on to deliver the best sessions I possibly can when representing the club overseas.”

The LFC International Academy provides an opportunity for young fans around the world to learn to play The Liverpool Way, with techniques used at the Academy in Liverpool replicated with participants around the world.

“Players get the opportunity to develop both on and off the pitch.” says Steven.

“We encourage values that can be transferred into their day-to-day lives. They get the opportunity to play the Liverpool Way. Having two young boys, I know the importance of making sure every child who attends one of our LFC Soccer Schools have a fun and enjoyable experience. They particularly love to learn the practices like our elite players.”

The International Academy has programmes running across the globe, including Egypt, USA, Japan, Cyprus, South Korea, Scandinavia and Australia. In addition, Soccer Schools are run from the Academy in Kirkby during school holidays, something Gillespie has been involved with on several occasions.

When asked to sum up the best thing about working for LFC once again, Steven says without hesitation:

“Making sure our fans have the most authentic LFC experience possible and seeing how much they enjoy being part of our club. Getting the opportunity to deliver the Liverpool Way through the core values that were instilled in me as a youngster, by my own coaches, is a real privilege.”

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