Webster pens another football book to raise funds for worthy cause

The former Colchester United player and coach was involved in the famous United States soccer revolution of the 1970s.

It came at a time when the star-studded North American Soccer League was in its pomp and paved the way for the sport’s rise in popularity in the States.

After moving to the famous Seattle Sounders in 1974, he rubbed shoulders with the likes of Pele, George Best and Bobby Moore before playing in the Major Indoor Soccer League and coaching in Arizona and Phoenix.

Now he has decided to use his rich and varied experiences in the game to write a new coaching book, with all proceeds going to Children with Cancer UK.

"It'll be three years next month that I had my surgery for bowel cancer and that's the reason I chose this organisation," said Webster, who works alongside Seasiders boss Tom Austin and fellow assistant Glenn Eldridge.

"The idea came about after my visit to Seattle last summer, where I was awarded the Golden Scarf for my contribution to soccer in the state of Washington.

"While having lunch with my publisher, Jenni Conner, she suggested I do a coaching book. I thought there were already lots of coaching resources out there but agreed to give it some thought when I got back to England.

"A year later the book is now available on Amazon.

"In doing it, I wanted to try to and make it a bit different so I've concentrated on my football journey as a player, coach and manager at youth, college and pro levels.

"I don’t profess to be a Pep Guardiola or a Terry Venables but I hope there will be a few ideas in the book for up-and-coming coaches in the game.

"I first got involved in coaching when I went to play for the Seattle Sounders, where I played under John Best, Jimmy Gabriel, Bobby Howe and Harry Redknapp.

"They all had different qualities but the one thing they all had in common was being able to get the best out of the players they coached."

This is Webster's fourth book and his first, Eternal Blue Forever Green, was about his journey growing up in Colchester and then going to North America.

The former Monkwick School pupil signed professional terms with the U's in 1968.

After nearly 20 years in the States, he returned to Essex in 1991 and linked up with former club Colchester, undertaking several roles including Centre of Excellence Manager and within the youth set-up, at Layer Road.

He spent a decade working at the Colne Academy in Brightlingsea before being tempted out of retirement by former Colne student Austin.

"I haven't done this book for financial gain and will be donating all proceeds to Children with Cancer UK," he added.

"October 20 will mark three years since my surgery for bowel cancer and I'll be making my yearly contribution.

"It would be great if football coaches or anyone involved in football would support this worthy cause by purchasing a copy of the book."

Webster and his Clacton team lost 4-3 in a topsy-turvy Thurlow Nunn League premier division contest at Newmarket Town on Saturday.

They looked well-placed for an eye-catching victory as goals from Harry McDonald, Adam Hampson and Matt Eve put them 3-2 ahead.

It stayed that way for 40 minutes of the second half - only for the Jockeys to hit back with two late goals to break travelling Clacton hearts.