Staines resident Steve Beeks has got another feather in his coaching cap by earning his Uefa A licence. Beeks has been coaching in and around Spelthorne Borough for the past 17 years, working in many local schools and clubs.

Having played professionally in the Football League for Aldershot, he went on to play for some of the best semi-pro teams such as Basingstoke Town, Staines Town, Sutton United and Maidenhead United before going into management.

He managed Combined Counties League Cove to the league and cup double, achieved promotion with Fleet Town and kept Molesey in the Ryman League for an impressive three years.

His efforts at Molesey were achieved with a very tight budget, but it was these constraints that finally prompted Beeks to resign in 2007 and concentrate on achieving his goal of achieving an A licence.

He said: “It has been an aspiration from when I started coaching 20 years ago and, for the past two years, I have made it my goal to achieve. It is fantastic and is a result of hard work and dedication.’ Beeks is head coach at Stanmore College, which boasts a football academy scheme working with 16 to 19-year-olds. He is also chief scout at AFC Wimbledon.

Away from the semi-pro game, Beeks still does his bit for local talent – in 14 years has taken some 200 local young players to Finland for the annual Alandia Cup.

These have included Phil and James Younghusband, who went on to play as professionals at Chelsea and have represented their country, Daniel Hollands, playing professionally with AFC Bournemouth, and many others who have gone on to semi-pro clubs.

Beeks still coaches in Staines every week, and as well as the Åland event, he is arranging tours to places like Denmark and Barcelona for other age groups.

Any local players (aged 7 to 18) who wish to benefit from his expertise can contact him, whether for trials, tours, or coaching, by email at steve@stevebeekssoccerschool.co.uk