UCFB is delighted to announce that England under-21 manager Aidy Boothroyd and former Scotland manager Gordon Strachan will be appearing at the inaugural UCFB Future Leaders in Football and Sport Conference at St George’s Park in April.
The pair will be giving their insight as part a football industry panel discussion alongside former England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis, the chief executive of the League Managers Association, Richard Bevan, and The National League boss Michael Tattersall.
Gordon Strachan
Strachan has been one of the most recognisable personalities in Scottish football over the last three decades, with a trophy laden career as a player and manager including league championships north and south of the border. Beginning his career at Dundee, Strachan was soon signed by Aberdeen the year before then-little known Alex Ferguson took charge. During his time at Pittodrie, Strachan picked up two Scottish championship medals, three Scottish Cups, one European Cup Winners’ Cup – beating Real Madrid in the final – and a European Super Cup.
He joined Manchester United in 1984, winning the FA Cup in his first season. Alex Ferguson then joined United from Aberdeen, however his successful reign took course after Strachan left for Leeds United in 1989. The Whites were promoted to the First Division during his first season at the club, then two years later Strachan captained Leeds to the First Division title. Strachan finished his playing career in the Premier League with Coventry City before he took over as manager, and earned 50 caps playing for Scotland.
Strachan spent nearly five years in the dugout at Coventry, signing the likes of Robbie Keane and Gary McAllister along the way. After relegation to the First Division, Strachan left Highfield Road but was soon back at Southampton, helping to steer them to top flight survival in the 2001/02 season. The following season the Saints lost the FA Cup final to Arsenal but qualified for the UEFA Cup. The Scot then quit St Mary’s in February 2004 stating he needed a break from football.
He reappeared in Scotland at Celtic in 2005, where over four years he won the Scottish Premier League three times, the Scottish Cup once and two Scottish League cups before leaving Glasgow in 2009. A short spell at Middlesbrough came before nearly five years with the Scottish national team. However, he couldn’t help Scotland qualify for their first tournament since 1998 following unsuccessful Euro 2016 and World Cup 2018 qualification campaigns.
Aidy Boothroyd
Boothroyd’s playing career included spells in defence for the likes of Huddersfield Town, Mansfield Town and Peterborough United, before injury cut his career short. After taking roles with youth teams at the likes of Norwich City and West Brom, his first job in senior management came at Watford, where in his first full season he took them from the Championship to the Premier League.
Following three years at Vicarage Road, Boothroyd had spells with Colchester United, Coventry City and Northampton Town before joining the England set-up in 2014. After spells with the under-19 and under-20 side, he took the under-21 job in 2016 after Gareth Southgate was appointed to the England first team.
The UCFB Future Leaders in Football and Sport Conference will take place at St George’s Park, in Burton-upon-Trent, on Wednesday 25th April. The event is open to all UCFB third year and postgraduate students and will take place every year. Students can register for the event through Moodle.
