As a player, my closest brush with footballing glory was dusting down my Subbuteo set and taking on the moniker of whichever team I fancied.

And until last month, my involvement as a boss seemed certain to be limited to the murky world of addictive computer game Championship Manager.

But now, after more than two decades as a fan and a four-week FA coaching course, I am on the first rung of the managerial ladder.

I wonder if Willington Under-15s know what they've let themselves in for? The job will add a new dimension to my role as The Northern Echo's Chief Sports Writer.

Now, instead of asking Messrs Robson, McCarthy and McClaren about their decisions and dilemmas, I'll be able to compare notes.

OK, so I'm not planning a Champions League campaign, or wrestling with a £26.6m debt, or trying to replace an injured England defender.

But then again, I can't see Jonathan Woodgate telling Sir Bobby Robson: "I don't want to play at centre-back this season - I want to go in goal."

With one of the team's best defenders last term taking just that stance, that's a problem I will face before the season starts.

Right now, however, I'm figuring out how best to tackle tomorrow's Teesdale Soccer Sixes.

My group of players won the Under-14 event last year; now, they are in the Under-16 age group against bigger sides. From what I saw at last Friday's first training session, they will do themselves proud.

They might have less physical presence than some of their opponents, but there will be few more skillful sides there.

I can honestly say I wish I were as talented now, at the grand old age of 26, as many of the 14-year-olds that will represent Willington tomorrow.

All the players knew about me before last week was that I worked for the Echo (well, Adam Nicholls was aware of that - see, I said I'd give you a mention!).

So far, I've had nothing but positive feedback from the players; let's hope I can say the same after tomorrow!