About the Author – Jeff Illingworth
Jeff Illingworth began his soccer coaching career in Manchester England in 1971. Jeff taught Physical Education at two tough inner city high school clubs throughout England for 10 years, coaching several youth England International players. During those 10 years he was also a successful standup comedian, working at hundreds of clubs all across Great Britain.
During his career as a comedian Jeff toured South Africa for three months in 1974, entertaining in Durban and Capetown. Reading his book Desperate Soccer Moms, you will appreciate his great wit and storytelling genius. This great book takes the reader from laughter to tears of sadness as the incredible events unfold during Jeff’s first 15 years in his new home in San Diego. In the seemingly blissful world of coaching youth soccer in Americas Finest City, the never ending politics and parental interference is frightening. Just how much a simple, pro-youth soccer coach touches the inner soul of so many soccer families is stunning.
Jeff and his then wife Pauline, fell in love with San Diego during a vacation to California in the 1970’s and decided to make it their home in 1981. Arriving with no jobs, no work permits and no real friends, they set out on their challenge to create a new life in the USA.
With youth soccer in its infancy, there seemed little opportunity for a successful career in coaching. This is the story of this mans incredible involvement in helping the program to reach world class level so quickly through 15 years of stunning successes and heartbreaking losses.
Jeff is currently Director of Coaching at Carmel Valley Manchester Soccer Club (CVMSC) in San Diego. Jeff co-founded the club in 2001 beginning with 5 teams. CVMSC now has 25 teams and is one of the top competitive youth soccer programs in the USA.
The views and opinions in this book are Jeff Illingworth’s alone and not in anyway connected with CVMSC Board of Directors, nor his partner, the head coach at CVMSC.
