Welcome
Christiano Ronaldo & Jeff Illingworth
Jeff Illingworth with the worlds greatest soccer player Christiano Ronaldo (Ronaldo is the guy on the left)
Jeff immigrated to San Diego, California in July 1981 from the hotbed of soccer Manchester, England. Since 1981, he has been totally involved in the incredible growth and development of youth soccer in Southern California – an area believed by many experts to be home to many of America’s top youth soccer programs. Not only has Jeff coached at these programs, he is responsible for founding and developing several of his own programs. With 27 years experience, Jeff’s career has seen him achieve incredible highs and success, mixed with painful failures and heartbreak.
This book is not about pointing fingers or giving blame. It is a frank, factual, and vivid description of this mammoth cultural phenomenon – US Youth Soccer. Few parents know or understand the incredible, behind the scenes, politics and power struggles that occur daily in many soccer programs.Fortunately, the purity of the game of soccer always rises above these negatives.
The “beautiful game” played by beautiful kids.
“Soccer is not about life and death. It is more important than that!”
Bill Shankley – Liverpool Manager, 1970’s
I found the book to be very eye opening and gave me a whole different perspective on Youth soccer in the U.S. I also thought it was candidly written; honest and had me laughing at times. I couldn’t put it down. Thanks for an interesting read Jeff!
Heather Short