When Billy Garton talks about soccer, his players and fellow coaches listen. That’s the kind of respect you earn if you once took the field for one of the most famous professional teams in the world.
 

Billy Garton is the real deal. The former Manchester United defender came to the United States in 2001 and joined forces with Jeff Illingworth, his former teacher, with whom he had kept in touch over the years, and founded Carmel Valley Manchester; one of the leading soccer clubs in Southern California.  Garton recently shared his passion for soccer with SoccerNation.com.

 

“I played soccer for as long as I can remember. I can always remember playing soccer in the backyard”  says Garton who found the entire experience humbling. He was only 16 when he became an apprentice at Manchester United and learned the ropes by performing all sorts of menial tasks like cleaning the team’s cleats, sweeping the locker room floor, and washing player uniforms. (Karate Kid comes to mind!)
 

According to Garton,  “I made rapid progress and realized that I was capable of playing on a professional level. It was really amazing…to have grown up a mile away from the stadium and to be playing for my favorite team.... one of the best and most famous teams in the world I can remember the euphoria. It was a thrill to play for Sir Alex Ferguson and to visit some far away countries as I traveled with the team. I loved every minute of it.”
 

A lot of boys and girls share the dream of becoming a professional soccer player.  The question 'are you good enough' always comes to mind? And (unbelievably) are you good enough at 14 or at 16?  This is a tough road and one that starts at a young age.  As Garton says, "For American boys who make it in Europe, that is an unbelievable achievement.  Everyone needs to realize that it is harder to become a player with AC Milan (or Manchester United) than the San Diego Chargers.”

A comment such as that might seem like heresy, but consider, with the worldwide popularity of soccer, the base of players from which professionals emerge is vastly larger than the American football pool. The competition is much greater!
 

Garton notices that the most popular game in the world is growing in popularity in the United States and in Southern California more so than anywhere. In the midst of this often too competitive-crazed world of youth soccer and endless clinics, it’s interesting to know that Garton didn’t play a “real” game of soccer until he was eight. 
 

“I was 8 years old the first time I put on a team uniform and played an organized game of soccer. Before that, it was always pickup games.  The difference in the U.S. today is that people want organized soccer. Where I grew up in urban Manchester, England, people found anyplace to play soccer, the park, the beach, even the streets,” says Garton.  

Here in Southern California, many eight-year-olds with a passion for soccer would have been playing organized soccer for a couple of years. Southern California competitive club soccer is big business and highly structured with many young players starting around the age of six.   Then again, there are some top soccer professionals, such as Landon Donovan, who played AYSO soccer and not competitive club soccer when they were young...although, if a young athlete wants to become a pro, the organized team practices and skill development clinics offered in Southern California are fabulous.
 

As many men with experience, Garton has strong views on how to achieve success. Whether you want to be a good club player or grow into a professional there will often be bumps in the road. Garton recommends players not giving up their dreams easily.
 

“If you get discouraged, keep trying. Sometimes, it is just the wrong match between player and coach. Some coaches like some styles over others… Remember, the coach is only one person’s opinion. Look for another coach whose style may be more in line with your talents.  The door is never closed. If you have the will and passion, then you should keep going.”   Garton's words are inspiring to all of us.

Being a former professional player, Garton says, does not necessarily make you a great coach. After nearly ten years of coaching in the U.S.,  Garton has dedicated himself to seven teams and those he has coached appreciate his wisdom and guidance.   He considers being able to communicate and inspire players as more important factors. Some of the best coaches are the ones who have knack for teaching and Garton believes a teaching degree can be very important as a coach. Knowing how to work with kids, how their minds work and melding various personalities  into a team concept can make the difference between being a successful coach or not.