Football lovers get tips from the experts at Grass Roots Live in Birmingham

May 30 2008 By Paul Suart

FOOTIE fanatics from across Birmingham flocked to the NEC for tips from some of the country’s finest coaches.

Former England manager Steve McClaren and ex-Baggies coach Bryan Robson were among the famous names at the Grass Roots Football Live exhibition.

The three-day event, aimed at enhancing the skill and technique of youngsters as well as increasing participation and improving methods for coaches, ironically coincided with calls yesterday from Fifa, the governing body of Football, to limit the number of foreign players taking the field for clubs in European competition.

Blues’ under-16 academy players were put through their paces during a series of coaching drills led by McClaren in the Mars Stadium while over in the Errea Coaches Arena West Ham academy director Tony Carr imparted advice in a set of coaching master classes.

McClaren, who was Sir Alex Ferguson’s number two in the historic treble-winning season of 1999, said: "I can understand and accept that now there is an awareness around the world of the importance of technique and coaching.

"It’s so important youngsters develop under the best coaches and that we have more events like today.

"If you get better coaches then it’s going to benefit the sport in this country."

Former Villa and England striker Stan Collymore soaked up the atmosphere in the Mars Stadium ahead of a string of matches today for Stan and the Mavericks, a team comprised of ex-professionals who will take on the lucky winners of a competition.

He said: "It’s all about getting more people involved in the game.

"If people want to get more involved in the coaching side that’s as important as finding the next Wayne Rooney."

England stalwart Bryan Robson, who started his playing career with West Brom, has launched his own consultancy providing state-of-the-art facilities for football clubs nationwide.

He said: "We need to look at all elements of the game to stop kids from hanging round street corners and playing computer games."