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 Buffalo NY - Buffalo City FC finished their season two weeks ago, so Stephen Brandt and Mike Share sat down for their first managers chat of the off season. Mike talks about the club's clinics, US Soccer in general, and talks about the future of the EPL and SPL. And as a special bonus Mike reveals his all-time starting eleven and subs for the England national team.
What have you seen that you like about the clinics this past week?
The clinics last week have been very interesting especially as we have had several different age groups attend our pro clinics. I have been impressed with one of our youngest player that had very good positioning sense at just 8 years old. Also we have had some good players with two good feet which is always pleasing to see. The thing I was most pleased with was that all the players were not afraid to try new things and that when I dictated the exercises on their weaker foot that they did not try and use their natural foot. It is always nice to see players looking to improve. Also in practice games I was impressed that players wanted to use width as an attacking outlet instead of playing very narrow through the middle. All in all I enjoyed the sessions and I am looking forward to see more good players next week.
With what you have seen in this country, does the USA have the mentality to want to succeed in soccer? Will we ever get the structure like you've experienced in your career?
 The coaching structure is very behind in Soccer. Sadly this has a big effect on players ability. You see this even with younger kids that they are behind on coaching, the good thing is that the players are good enough technically and physically. The players need to work on their game knowledge and this can only be improved when America improves the standard of coaching. It is getting there but it will take time.
Is Bob Bradley a good enough coach to succeed in Europe?
 I don't know. That's a hard question. What I have found from my own experience in America is that things are done really different compared to Europe. I feel a lot of coaches copy similar methods of coaching that they use in America Football. I can not really comment on Bradley as a coach as I don't see what he does as a coach when he has the National team for a few days at a time but one thing for sure is that he has helped America play at a higher standard by concentrating on America's strengths instead of just trying to stop other teams from scoring against them. I think you can see the success Bradley has had as a coach when you look around at the importance America's International games have now. In England when the national team plays the whole country is at an stand still to watch the game. I am glad to see that America is not far away and too be honest I think they are building a national team that everyone can be proud of and that can hopefully build next year on the quarter final birth at the World Cup in South Africa.
 How's Bobby Shuttleworth doing in New England?
Bobby is doing well, besides having been on the bench for several MLS games he has also been on loan at USL-2 Western Mass. Although the results were not good for the team I heard Bobby's performance has been very good. I look forward to see how Bobby's career progresses as I really feel he can have a good career in Europe.
Are there too many soccer clubs (Delaware, etc) around Buffalo? Is there a need to for consolidation into two or three clubs for proper coaching?
No I do not think so, if you count the youth clubs in Buffalo then you have maybe 20 clubs. Considering that we have 60,000 kids playing just in Buffalo and it's surrounding areas alone then 20 clubs is a low number. At the end of the day the amount of clubs will not change the standard of coaching this is the responsibility of each FA and the USSF. The coaching education that they provide is very poor. Any course you can take and pass within a week is not going to improve your coaching. In England or Europe each level takes 6 months up to a year and can cost in the region of 15,000 dollars. Now that is what you call a coaching course.
I've noticed on a lot of club websites adverts for betting on matches and events around the games, but we don't do that in the States, are we to naive around our sports? (would betting help put more butts in the seats at MLS games, or more interest among people who know the game, and not the fake fans)
No not really betting is part of the sport in Europe. Anything that is a big business has betting involved and besides in America football (soccer) is the biggest sport in the world. Which means a lot of money is involved in the sport. I don't agree with advertising betting on club websites. I am not against betting but clubs should not promote this especially with the big revenue that the big clubs already make. I also do not think betting has any bearing on the amount of fans who come to games in America.
 You've played, or lived in a lot of cities, what's the best city you've played in for soccer? (atmosphere, fans, etc)
I am not sure I can say with my hand held on my heart that the place to play football is England, wether it is in the south or the north of England they all sleep, eat and breath football.
There was that story floating around last year that Rangers and Celtic wanted to join the EPL, would that kill the Scottish league off?
I think it will kill it financially but also the standard of the league. The only thing it will improve is the competitiveness at a more equal level. Meaning that Rangers and Celtic will not be able to dominate the league as they will be playing in the EPL and it will give a chance for more clubs to progress nationally. Also the winner of the league will be be guaranteed UEFA cup football and with the new group standard super liga in place for next year it will also help the clubs revenue wether it will be financially better then the loss of not playing Celtic or Rangers we will have to see. I have spoken a few months back to someone high up at FA and although one day Celtic and Rangers will join the EPL it will not be for a long long time.
Will we see the day again when teams like Everton, Nottingham Forrest, Aston Villa will be big like they were in the 70's and early 80's, or has the game changed too much for that to happen? 
I am not sure the gap is growing each year and sadly it all depends on the investments and money pumped into the clubs. You only have to look at Chelsea they were a reasonable team that had not won the league since the begin 50's. Suddenly Mr Abramovich invests his millions and Chelsea have become one of the top clubs in the world. I am sure we will see a similar rise for Man City with all the money that is being invested. All the money being invested in clubs is become a popular trend.
If you could put together a dream team starting eleven of the greatest English players, who would they be?
 I would play a traditional 4-4-2, my goalkeeper would be Gordan Banks. Even when he lost one of his eyes he was still a quality goalkeeper, also we can not forget the big part he played to help crown England as World Champions in 1966. My back four would be modern full backs Ashley Cole and Gary Neville. Gary Neville has been so underrated throughout his career especially when he played for England. My center backs would be Bobby Moore I don't need to say anything more about Bobby Moore his name tells its own story Moore's central partner would be Duncan Edwards who was sadly lost in the Busby Babes Munich Air Crash, I think everyone would have agreed with me that Duncan Edwards would have been one of the best players in the world. My midfield would be Stanley Matthews, Steven Gerrard, Paul Gascoigne and David Beckham.. My forwards would be Wayne Rooney and Geoff Hurst. As a manager how can you leave out the player that scored the only hatrick in a World Cup Final. Also yes it did cross the line! For my favorite manager I would choose Bobby Robson. How can you not love should a respected man as a coach and player. Also lets not forget without Bobby Robson there would be no Jose Mourinho.
Rooney Hurst
Matthews Gerrard Gascoigne Beckham
Cole Moore Edwards Neville
Banks
Subs: Owen, Barnes, Pearce, Ball, Keegan, Robson, Shearer
Manager: Bobby Robson
Buffalo City Football Club is Buffalo's premier soccer organization since 2008. Combining a winning tradition on the pitch with a standard of excellence within the community, BCFC remains the height of achievement in professionally run sport. For more information please visit www.BuffaloCityFC.com
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