Recruitment has been key to Plymouth Parkways continued success over the past few seasons and the infrastructure both on the pitch and off it, is still an ever evolving one.

Lee Hobbs as manager, has done a supreme job since taking the hot seat and the gaffer is still busy putting the pieces in place as they look to keep progressing on all fronts this season. Lee’s number two and coach Karl Curtis is arguably one of the most sought after coaches in the county and the pair have a brilliant footballing relationship.

With only a few games into the season, Lee and Karl have decided to add another name to the coaching staff as they and the club, welcome Sam Doel, a goalkeeping coach into the dugout.

Sam, a young, up and coming coach will be working with Parkways No.1 Kyle Moore who was only recently described by fellow team mate as the best keeper in the league. So what can Sam bring to the team?

The coach was in the dugout for Parkways superb 1-0 victory over Exmouth Town on Wednesday night (highlights from that game can be viewed here ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhLvb7yanAo ) and #ppfc caught up with him to find out how he became a safe pair of hands.

“When I started coaching, I was set on limiting my coaching around the GK’s due to experience playing in that role. Having the knowledge of the role meant I could then translate that into players and help aid their development. So initially the coaching pathway was aimed at the youth side, coaching at Plymouth Argyle goalkeeping centres and many DJM clubs that have helped scope my coaching philosophies and attributes.

More recently I went into the ladies side of the game, starting out at Buckland Athletic as their 1st team GK coach before moving to Marine Academy Plymouth (MAP) ladies again as a GK coach. At the end of the season, the team manager at MAP left the club.

So a reshuffle within the management team meant I then moved to assistant manager. However before I could step into that role, I looked to move into men’s football and push myself, to coach at a higher standard.”

A confident young man, Sam has already had some excellent first hand experience in recent years as he juggles coaching duties with working as a laminator for Princess Yachts. When asked about his preferred style of coaching, Sam was quick to the point: “For me, I have been around coaches who are laid back… probably too laid back and then coaches who I felt were too over the top. So for me, I always adapt to the team/ players I am coaching with. In the case with Parkway… with the keepers it will be laid back but a demanding coaching style”

With Sam having a choice to try his hand at anywhere in the region we wanted to know why he chose the Bolitho Park outfit: ” Parkway has always been a club I’ve wanted to be part of. Seeing the badge throughout the local football community, different age groups it’s always been good positive feedback.”

The clubs community based ethos matches Sam’s personality perfectly and he is looking forward to working with Kyle Moore over the course of the season. The coach was full of praise for the number one after his performance against fellow Devon rivals Exmouth Town. ” There wasn’t much to do for him, however when he was called upon either in a shot stopping role or a support for teammates he was there! Positioning was good and communication was great throughout the game.

A couple areas I have looked at already that I feel could support him that will then interlink within our defensive units. But all in all… a great performance to reflect from. 

It will be interesting to see the partnership between Sam and Kyle over the coming months and it will no doubt benefit Karl to have this up and coming coach working with him over the course of the season.

All of us at the club would officially like to welcome Sam on board to what looks to be, a very exciting season

Words by Mike Parrish