Fleetwood Town are delighted to confirm the appointment of Mark Yeates as the club's new Under-18s head coach.
He steps into the role after being an International Coach, and whilst also coaching the club's Under-13s for two years, and most recently coaching the Under-18s - who under Yeates leadership, made history by reaching the Fifth Round of the FA Youth Cup.
Yeates, who came through the youth ranks at Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, made over 500 professional appearances, played for the likes of Sheffield United, Middlesbrough, and Watford, and brings a wealth of experiences to the group ahead of the upcoming season.
The 38-year-old took charged of his first match as the official head coach of the Under-18s in their Fourth Round FA Youth Cup clash against Category One side, Middlesbrough on Wednesday night, but knows the hard work continues for both the players and the staff.
On the new of being announced the new head coach, Yeates had the following to say: “I am so proud to be named the new head coach of Fleetwood Town’s Under-18s."
He added: “When Jack Higgins [Head of Academy] asked me to interview for the job, and then when they told me that it was mine, it was a proud moment as I know this is a superb football club.
“I know I haven’t been working that long in the coaching that long, but for the club to show that faith in me to take this group of lads forward is a really proud moment.”
“There was no doubt in my mind that I was going to take the job. When you look at Simon Wiles who was in the job with me last season, and then Matt Lawlor and me this season working so closely.
“I know the lads [Under-18s] very well and it’s a voice that they’re use to, and I feel that was important in terms of the consistency. There has been a lot of change but having someone they know and someone who has been there with them is key."
When asked about how he wants to see his side play going forward, he said: “I want to see my teams play just like they did in the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday night against Middlesbrough. I want them to play with energy and intensity and that’s nothing different from the first team.
“I want the lads to go out there and express themselves, be brave and try things and when you’re young, you learn from mistakes, and I would never take that away from them. When you see that in full swing on Wednesday, just like Pharrell Brown, you need to let them do it and then learn afterwards.
“I want to see attacking football and my team scoring lots of goals and if we can do that, I will be very happy on the touchline.”