With the inaugural Whitecaps FC Alumni Match set for this Saturday, May 9 at BC Place, whitecapsfc.com will feature one member of the alumni who will be in attendance every day this week leading up to the match. Today, we chat with one of the alumni coaches Alan Errington, who recently retired after a 40-year coaching career that included a Soccer Bowl title with the 'Caps in 1979.
Tickets to the alumni match are still available (call 604.669.9283 ext. 2 to purchase).
Previous interviews:
Has it kicked in yet that you’ve retired?
No, not at all. I’m not looking back, reminiscing. I’m very much looking forward. I’ve got too much to worry about than to think about what I’m going to do now.
Has football always been a part of your life?
Since I was a kid playing in school, the old junior school uptown, we played in the yard. It was about 25 aside and the whole width of the yard was the goal. We got picked for the school team and played. Playing for the school team is what set me up. When I was 15 we won the treble, the first team ever to do it. We won the league, the cup, and the shield.
When did you move from Newcastle to Canada?
I came over September 1973 on a six-month contract. The idea was to come over and make enough money to buy a house in England. I liked it so much. I phoned the kids and told them get on a plane and come for Christmas and we’ll have a holiday here and see if you like it, and we spent the money for the house on the wife and kids coming over to see if they liked it. It was money well spent because they loved it and couldn’t wait to come back.
How did you get involved in the local coaching scene?
I broke my leg November 10, 1974 while playing for Richmond of the premier league and I had pins in and screws in. At the time, the doctor said I would never play soccer again so I took up coaching. I had no idea, no clue what coaching was. I was literally on crutches and I had pins in my leg and a big cast on my leg for six months.
I was limping around on the crutches around Killarney shopping mall with my wife, there was a sign on the window and it said – Killarney Soccer Association Coach Wanted. I said to her do you think if I applied for it I would get the job? I had no idea; I grabbed it with both my hands and that was the end of it you know and I started coaching young boys and loved it, absolutely loved it.
What did you love about coaching?
Just being back involved in the game. I didn’t realize it at the time, but passing on information I got from different people or while I was playing, it just started to help them and make them better players.
Were you lucky to coach?
There are two reasons why I think I have been lucky to coach. One is the environment you are in, and I was in a good environment. The BC teams, the national teams, the Whitecaps, and the 86ers, I was in a good environment. You’re in an environment where you’ve got people that want to be there and it’s a high level, high elite players.
The second reason and I think the most important is, I had good mentors, I had good people I could learn from. At the time I had no idea how good they were. They were Tony Waiters, Les Wilson, Johnny Giles, Nobby Stiles, Bob McNab who was a huge influence, Richard Dinnis who was manager at Newcastle and did the reserves, and Bobby Lenarduzzi.
I had done all my coaching courses and I was qualified, I had gotten to Whitecaps FC and hadn’t a clue what they were talking about. It was totally different and I was lucky to be around those people. Bob McNab in particular was very helpful for me in getting my English badge and my qualifications. He critiqued me rather heavily, he was a bit nasty at times but he helped me a lot by setting me on the right path and looking for the little sort of things that most people don’t see.
What can you tell us about the 46-game undefeated streak with the 86ers?
We didn’t even know about that, we had no idea. I don’t think Bobby even knew. It was Pam Glass who told us, she was absolutely fantastic and was a huge part of the 86ers yet people don’t even know who she is.
The players in the dressing room, Bobby, Jock, Lou and I we couldn’t care less really. We didn’t try to extend it or have it in the back of our minds, we just played. We went to play every game to win, we didn’t try to go and draw and keep it low and do whatever else. We just tried to win every game. We told the boys go out there and enjoy yourselves, have a smile on your face.
When you get a throw-in take it quick, entertain the fans they’re paying your wages, so entertain don’t slow the game down and just enjoy it. If we give three goals away, score four. I don’t think that’s bad, that’s a good philosophy and I’ve always done that since. We never thought about the 46 games until it happened and then it happened. In all honesty, I don’t think me, Bobby or anybody else thought it was such a big deal, but looking back thinking about it, it was a big deal.
What do you think will be your lasting impression as a coach?
I always look forward, I never look back. I don’t know, it’s truly been overwhelming for me, a lot of people have gone on Facebook and have thanked me from years back – you’ve had such an influence on my life and this and that. I’m thinking wow, bloody hell.
The inaugural Whitecaps FC Alumni Match will take place on Saturday, May 9 from 1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. PT at BC Place (prior to the evening's MLS match vs. Philadelphia Union).
Season Tickets Members and those who have already purchased a ticket for the MLS match have received an email with instructions on how to purchase their tickets for the alumni match. All others who are interested in attending the alumni match can purchase by calling the ‘Caps office at 604.669.9283 ext. 2.
A limited number of tickets will also be available for purchase at the tent located at BC Place outside of Gate A. Valid ticket for the afternoon’s MLS match must be presented. Fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
Tickets for the alumni match are $5 with all proceeds being donated to the ‘Caps community partner, BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.
