‘Always something a bit different’ about Phil Foden, says youth football coach
Joe Makin, football development officer at the Reddish Vulcans club in Stockport, taught ‘shining light’ Foden from 2007 to 2008.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Phil Foden’s youth football coach has said there was “always something a bit different” about the England midfielder and that he was “destined for stardom” from the age of seven.
Joe Makin, football development officer at the Reddish Vulcans club in Stockport, taught Foden from 2007 to 2008 and said he was a “shining light” from the beginning.
Foden, who has won six Premier League titles with Manchester City, as well as the Champions League and two FA Cups, is expected to start for the Three Lions in the Euro 2024 final against Spain in Berlin on Sunday.
Mr Makin, who has coached at the Reddish Vulcans for 30 years, said: “There was always something a bit different with Phil.
“He was always destined for stardom.
“He was a very talented little boy, which was noticeable from the beginning.
“We’ve had lots of boys play for Reddish Vulcans that have gone on to have good football careers, but Phil was just that little shining light, with his turns and his twists and his mobile ability and above all, the balance.
“He had amazing balance for a little boy.”
He said Foden was always a stand-out player from the beginning, adding: “I could see he was the best one that I’ve ever seen.
“He had great balance, as I say, and his will to achieve.
“He was always destined to be just that little bit better than the next player, and then if the next player got better, he would get even better then.
“It’s an old cliche in football, isn’t it, that it’s the first to arrive, but the last to leave, because it’s practice, practice, practice.
“He was always on time.
“And he just had bundles of energy.
“And it was his desire, if a child has desire, to become better, to achieve.
“He had the ambitions then to achieve professional status, which obviously he has done.”
Mr Makin added: “This is my 30th year with Reddish Vulcans, and he is still the best one we’ve produced, really.
“And that’s understandable when you think about it, because he’s achieved the heights that he has achieved.
“And maybe, just maybe, he could go on to achieve even greater heights.”
Mr Makin said he was still in contact with Foden and that he “always” sends messages of support.
His message to Foden ahead of Sunday was: “I’ll just say good luck.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.