Former Blue Jason Dozzell is holding a two-day coaching course for youngsters aged 5-to-14 at Ransomes Sports Club on Tuesday and Wednesday this week (10am to 3pm). The ex-England U21 international is looking for talented players to join the Jason Dozzell Advanced Soccer School.
Dozzell said: "I’m setting up the Jason Dozzell Advanced Soccer School. We’re starting with the two-day course at Ransomes, then I’m going take that on into an Advanced Soccer School two nights a week. I’m going to handpick the kids from the course and take them into my Advanced Soccer School.
"I’ve leafleted most schools and I’ve already got 50 kids who are coming along but anyone can just turn up and pay on the day."
Dozzell's says his son Andre is progressing well at the academy: "Andre’s the complete opposite to me, he’s as fit as hell, makes a tackle and runs around the pitch!
"He’s a striker and he’s doing really well. He’s only 10 but he’s been moved up a year, so he playing for the U12s at the moment. He should get to some level but what that level will be I’m not yet quite sure.”
The former midfielder, now 41, says he is as surprised as anyone at Town’s current situation: "I’m gobsmacked, absolutely gobsmacked. I can’t visualise what’s going on at the moment after the feelgood factor in the summer. It’s unbelievable. But overall, I still think he’s going to get it right, it’s just when.”
Dozzell sees parallels with a spell during his time at the club: "It’s similar to when we came up from the Second Division in 1992. We were flying before Christmas, but then from January on until three games from the end we went for a similar number of matches without a win.
"It took the game against Norwich to get the adrenaline going again because you get into a rut. We won that 3-1, which meant we were safe from relegation.
"That’s all you can do really. However it happens, they’ve just got to try and get that first win.”
This week’s course costs £15 for one day or £25 for the two, payable on the day.