Corby Town are delighted to announce the appointment of Mark Peters as coach of the new under-19 side.

Mark, 39, is a vastly experienced footballer whose 23-year playing career started at Manchester City and saw him earn three caps for Wales at under-21 level during a career that also took in spells at Peterborough, Mansfield, Rushden, Orient, Aldershot and Cambridge.

Having worked his way through his coaching badges to A-licence standard, Mark is really excited about the task ahead of him with the Corby youngsters:

“I am looking forward to it a lot. I have worked with a lot of the lads already when I was doing my A-licence and it is a natural progression to continue working with them and to help them develop as players. I feel I have learned a lot over my career and hopefully can pass some of that knowledge and experience on to the lads.”
Mark believes that a good grounding is essential for any young player:

“I was very fortunate to come through at Manchester City when their youth set up was at a very high standard. Players like Paul Lake, Paul Simpson and David White had  come through and I was there with Gerry Taggart and David Flitcroft. I have always said that it was the grounding we got at Maine Road that enabled us to have long careers in the game. 

“The coaching was first class and it set us up for everything ahead. Maybe I wasn’t the quickest but the coaches got me thinking about positioning and that got me a long way in the game. Coaching with the youngsters is all about showing them the right way to play and enjoying the game.”

Not that the Corby kids can expect an easy ride in the months ahead:

“I believe in discipline and that will be instilled in the players. You need the basics right so eating habits need to be right and your lifestyle needs to be spot on or you will stick out like a sore thumb. The days of players partying are long gone now and if you want to get anywhere then you have to be right on and off the pitch. It will be enjoyable but there will be plenty of hard work. We will train Monday and Tuesday, play on a Wednesday then assess the game on a Thursday.  Everything will be geared to getting the best out of the good young players that we have at the club.”

A lifetime in the game shines through and the enthusiasm comes through as Mark talks about his career:

“I have worked with some excellent people along the way and from about the age of 30 I was always looking at training sessions and thinking ‘how would I set this up, what would I try and improve?’. Every player has different skills and strengths and you always look to help them improve. Since I hung up my boots I have spent a lot of time coaching and working with youngsters, not just football but other sports as well, and you take responsibility, think of their safety, think of helping them. It has made me a better coach and a better person and I am really looking forward to the challenge of working with Corby.”