FURD
Football Unites coaches are delighted at the appointment of Chris Dolby as the manager of Sheffield FC. Chris, as well as his assistant Gavin Smith, are well known to coaches, players and staff at FURD, both having been involved in project initiatives over the years.
Chris, once of Rotherham United, is one of the first Asian managers at semi-professional level. Sheffield FC only missed out on penalties last season in their play-off to win a place in the Unibond Premier League.
Chris has recently told the Sheffield Star of his hopes for a breakthrough of Asian talent at all levels of the game, saying "Asian players are getting involved in Academies and in football and community programmes so it's only a matter of time till we see young scholars breaking into the first team."
Coach Luis Silva, in his new role in charge of Talent Identication and Progression (TIP) at FURD, is especially keen to build links with the world's oldest club, as a possible destination for young FURD referals who may narrowly miss out on an Academy place with a professional team.
Chris and Gavin were impressed by the strides made by Sharrow United, culminating in their Meadowhall League Cup win in front of over 1000 spectators at Bramall Lane in May this year, and plan to fulfill a promise made by Chris' predecessor, Dave McCarthy, to play a friendly match between Sheffield FC and Sharrow United.