Sporting Icon nominee – Martyn Irvine
Sporting Icon nominee – Martyn Irvine
Army mechanic turned football coach Martyn Irvine works tirelessly to inspire young footballers in Stoke-on-Trent according to the mum of one of his young players.
The 36-year-old, who served in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers for 12 years, now works full-time as a football coach at his own training centre, PCT in Longton.
He raises money for various charities, runs tournaments for players of all abilities, supports players through ill health and even organises football boot swaps to help tackle the rising costs of children competing in sport.
Martyn, who set up PCT five years ago and also works part-time for the FA, has been nominated as a Sporting Icon by Kelly Warren.
She said: “My son goes to sessions at PCT and because I’m unable to drive due to being epileptic, Martyn takes the time to drive myself and my son home after sessions so that we don’t have to get a taxi.
“One of the young footballers that Martyn coaches recently had emergency brain surgery following Strep A infection complications. Martyn supported his family throughout the ordeal and made a video to cheer him up once he was well enough to watch.
“He now has charity boxes within PCT HQ to support the fundraising that the young boy’s family are doing for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital where he had his life saving surgery. When he was well enough to return to football Martyn was on the sidelines cheering him on in his first football match.”
She added: “Martyn is a true local sporting hero who has worked tirelessly despite his own battles with his mental health to inspire young footballers in the city to follow their dreams of being ‘the best you’.
“Martyn is not just a football coach. To many he has become a friend to families and a mentor to the kids he coaches and other aspiring football coaches. I could not think of a more deserving person than Martyn Irvine.”
Martyn, who left the Army to pursue his dream of becoming a football coach, works with footballers from five years old up to adults. He says he’s inspired by helping people who’ve been told they aren’t good enough to succeed.
“I get kids coming in and saying other adults have told them they’re not good enough or can’t do something. I just want everybody to be the best they can be.”
He added: “I’m very critical of myself. When people say nice things about me, like nominating me for this award, I don’t know how to take it. It’s made me well up.”