OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS FOR STEVE


Steve Agnew (centre) discusses training with Adrian Heath and Peter Reid

Steve Agnew returns to former club York City tonight having progressed since his departure to become United's new reserve team coach.

Shipley born, Steve's career saw him have stints at five clubs in Barnsley, Blackburn, Leicester, Sunderland and finally hanging up his boots after a professional career spanning eighteen years at Bootham Crescent, although he continued as a player-coach at Gateshead after that.

As part of the new broom sweeping through the club, Steve brings with him a freshness to the job, having cut his teeth as a coach with the Middlesbrough Academy where he recently picked up prestigious UEFA C, B, and A coaching badges. 

Having played under Peter Reid at Roker Park for Sunderland, Steve was delighted to be given his big break at senior coaching by the United boss.

"I knew the gaffer from my Sunderland days and it's good to be able to team up with him now and be given the opportunity to run the reserve team," said Steve.

"It is a fantastic opportunity and it's something that I always wanted to do.  The gaffer's given me the  opportunity to work at a fantastic club with great facilities, so it's something that I just can't wait to get my teeth into.

"We've (Peter Reid, assistant Kevin Blackwell, chief scout Adrian Heath and fitness trainer Dean Riddle)  all worked quite closely from day one and I am sure that all the ideas and all the hard work that will go into it will get its just rewards."

Steve has no time for any Prima Donna antics from any of the club's big stars that may find themselves playing for the second string this season. He expects hard work from them.

"There will  be experienced players that will play reserve team football this season, but for whatever reason they are in there then there's a reason for them to move out of that reserve team.

"If it's a case of getting their fitness levels up then thye have to work hard to be ready for selection come Saturday, and that's my job to make sure that everybody puts the effort and work in that's needed to keep their fitness levels high and be ready for first team selection."

Tonight's game is United's second pre-season outing, Steve's first reserve game is against Bradford Park Avenue at the Horsfall Stadium on Monday evening, and he knows what he wants in these friendly games.

"The long term plan is always looking at that first game of the season. I think that's what gives everybody the appetite at the start of the season and be fit,  fresh and ready.  We will be as organised as we possibly can be from a staff point of view, and hopefully it's the start of a good campaign."

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