Mark Seagraves is a former professional footballer who played for Liverpool, Norwich City, Manchester City, Bolton Wanderers and Swindon Town as a defender. Following his retirement, he worked as a coach before moving on to the role of a scout at Ipswich Town and later worked with Arsenal Soccer Schools, and then started his own initiative, The Football Faktory, registered in July, 2014, in New Delhi. ANANT BAKHALE had a chat with Seagraves to know about his initiative, ‘The Football Faktory’ (branch at Sangolda and Don Bosco’s Panjim) and his view on Indian football
Q: Did you pick football as your career right from your youth or was it a coincidence?
Mark Seagraves: I always wanted to be a footballer, it was my dream. It’s in our blood. My father and brother are also footballers and I think it’s genetic. From the age of five I was playing football with my brother. And at the age of seven I started playing for teams. I got better and better and eventually my dream came true of being a professional player.
At sixteen I signed for Liverpool and I have been working in football ever since. I have been the luckiest man in the world as I have done something that I love for most of my life and I knew what I wanted to do. At seventeen I got the opportunity to play in the first team which was a big achievement for me. I am there with football for the past 30 years and even now I have been on the field as a coach.
Q: What efforts and sacrifices did you make to reach the professional level?
MS: It was not as easy then as it is at present. Being a footballer, apparently mostly glamorous, was a job for me. I strived hard. I lived my life according to football, looking after my diet and fitness. To keep moving in football you need to be on your toes as you need to get a contract after every two years. We always had to perform to a level so that in itself it was a quite stressful and very enjoyable also because you are kept on your toes. The better progressed and the lesser players fell by the wayside. It’s not like in the present teenage life you get a four-year contract and you are a multi millionaire.
Q: Did studies worry you while carving a career in football?
MS: No. I wasn’t interested in being a topper because I knew what I wanted to do. It was the decision of my parents and myself. I did my career in football along with my studies.
I feel that sport in India is graded far more below than education. India needs to keep a balance of sports and education. Parents need to give an opportunity to their kids to choose their career. One can make a career by being a professional golfer, footballer or a tennis player, etc.
Q: What is the difference between your playing days and now?
MS: Coaching, diet, infrastructure and science in football are 10 times better than during my playing days. At present, players are getting every possible help in every aspect. I would be happy to play today which is not possible. I miss it so much but I have got the second best scenario that is coaching. I have been able to coach young kids and see them growing.
Q: What motivates you to stay back in India?
MS: I am here to give young, budding and talented footballers an opportunity to play football.
What’s wrong being a professional footballer? A professional footballer will earn more in one year than a doctor or an engineer who will earn in a lifetime. The world is changing, especially in the Middle East; companies are pouring in big money into football and sports. This country should be the best. It has got the money, people and everything to make a good footballer. It is rural areas from where we get the big stars but they cannot be exposed due to lack of funds. I am trying to bridge the gap by educating parents and also trying to make them understand the importance of football.
Q: What does India need to do better in football?
MS: When I visit schools, I see a lot of trophies for maths, science but there are none for football or any other sport. Skills that you learn as a sportsman are amazing. You learn how to work as a team with attitude, commitment, dedication and respect. Parents need to give freedom to their children to choose their career in sports.
Q: What is your opinion about the Indian coaches?
MS: Indian coaches need to be trained at higher levels. If they are better coached then the teaching they impart to youth will be more better. To develop coaches in India the All India Football Federation needs to pick up around 20 to 30 young coaches from all over the country, train them for around 5 years either in the country or abroad and you will get the best of the coaches who in turn will develop better skilled player.
Q: What future are you expecting for players training under you?
MS: There is a lot of money in football. I am expecting my kids not only to reach the moon but beyond — to the stars. My mission for them is not only to play for their country, ISL or I-league but to play in Europe, for English Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, etc.
Q: How long does it take a player to reach the professional level?
MS: They say 10,000 hours of coaching will get you to a level that you want to but it differs from player to player. A very good player may take less time and a bad player might take more.
Q: How do you begin training a fresher?
MS: I have two centres for training in Goa – at Sangolda and Don Bosco, Panjim. I begin with the basics. If we don’t get the foundation for a building right it will crumble. It is the same way with the kids. I want the basics to be right. It is more important for a kid to learn right from the age of 5 or 6 and try and keep them in the process. It’s a long call and we need to keep going.
Q: How is The Football Faktory progressing in Goa?
MS: Our kids have been doing very well. In the next 6 to 12 months, I have plans to take some talented kids to the United Kingdom for trials with clubs where they can go to school and also get trained with big clubs like Man City and Norwich City. Another option is I take the kids by myself and give them trials at various clubs and if the kid is selected it will then depend on their parents to take the decision. I don’t grade players.
Kids develop in different ways. The development of a kid differs from person to person. My big aim is to get a child to be good enough to play in Europe. This will be as big as Sachin Tendulkar. Then it will be easier for coaches to convince the parents.
Q: What is the aim of your organisation?
MS: The Football Faktory’s goal is to give the children the technical ability, mentality and attitude to succeed as football players. Training is structured to provide a sustainable routine that provides a balance between technical, health, fitness and social skills. I have been training kids in Goa for the last 12 months. If I get a chance for another six or seven years, I will be able to take them to that level.
