The Sky Blues recently appointed a new Under-23s Head Coach, in the form of long-serving coach, Luke Tisdale.
Luke joined the Sky Blues eight years ago, when he became a coach for the Under-12s side back in 2011, before he was given the role as Assistant Youth Development Phase Coach, alongside Andy Crabtree.
Following Andy’s move to the Under-18s, Luke became Lead Youth Development Phase Coach, which then led to him joining Jason Farndon in the 23s set-up last season.
After a successful year, leading the 23s to the Professional Development League Semi-Final, Tisdale was appointed as the new Under-23s Head Coach, with Farndon becoming Head of Under 23s Development and First Team Technical coach.
Luke has now spent over 12 months based at the Sky Blue Lodge and told how much he has enjoyed working in Ryton along with staff and players at the football club.
“I’ve loved every minute of it.” Tisdale said.
“I was really good friends with Jason before the move and he is probably one of the best coaches I’ve seen at the football club in terms of working with young players so it’s great to work with him.
“Then also you work in the same office as Adi Viveash, who is one of the most decorated youth development coaches in the country, for what he’s won in under 23s football and the players he has produced.
“Then the Gaffer (Mark Robins), who puts young players in the team so you’re winning everywhere and working with people who believe in youth development has made it a lot easier for me to settle in.”
Moving up to the Sky Blue Lodge, Luke revealed that he has learnt a lot in the short space of time that he has been there.
“I’ve learned so much in a short space of time. I’ve learned a lot from the Gaffer, in terms of what he wants from young players and what we need to do to get them ready to make the step up to the first team when they are called upon.
“Then from Jason and Adi they’ve helped me because you’re always talking about developing players and they are both fantastic at doing that.”
Tisdale’s first year was a successful one in terms of results and player development, with the likes of Sam McCallum, Morgan Williams, Josh Eccles, Will Bapaga and Jonny Ngandu featuring for the first team.
The 23s also reached the Professional Development League Semi-Final, after finishing second in the Southern side, but were ultimately defeated by Leeds United in extra time at Elland Road.
Luke sang the praises of the group the Sky Blues have put together and the hard work they put in each week.
“I’m lucky because the 23s this year and last year are really good groups and we kept the core together this season which is why I think we’ve done so well.
“The boys come in and they apply themselves every day 100%, so they’re an easy group to manage because they drive themselves.
“We wanted to produce a group that you didn’t have to drive them or get them into gear and shout at them and that’s credit to them because they are a great group.
“They come in and get on with their job and get on with their work and they do that because they see something at the end of it.
“They see Dan Bartlett making his debut this season, they see Sam McCallum doing well in the first team and then Morgan Williams getting into the side.
“So they’re great with each other and you have the likes of Morgan and Declan Drysdale who are effectively in competition with one another, but they drive each other to be better and it shows that great culture we have in the group.”