Chelsea role for Howell (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Chelsea role for Howell

8:35am Monday 24th September 2007 in Football

Having lived in the shadows of his little brother for all of their sporting lives, Ian Howell is finally enjoying some of the headlines himself after being snapped up by European giants Chelsea.

While sibling David continues his battle to regain his form, missing the cut in the British Masters at the Belfry, Ian is relishing the prospect of coaching the future John Terrys and Frank Lampards, after being appointed under 14 coach at their academy.

With David gracing the world's finest golf venues over the years, helping Europe win two Ryder Cups and rising to ninth in the world just over a year ago, Ian has mostly had to accept a back seat in their family's sporting circles.

But now given his chance at one of the world's richest clubs, it is Ian who is finally enjoying his shot at top class sport.

He said: "Obviously I am really chuffed to have been given the opportunity.

"To move to such a high profile club is a bit of a dream come true for me really.

"It is fantastic for my own personal development and it will give me the chance to work with elite players.

"I put my CV in a while ago and now the chance has come up. I spoke to them and did a few sessions and I suppose they liked me."

Howell has been a centre of excellence coach at the County Ground for the past 10 years, combined with coaching the New College side and recently being assistant manager at Supermarine.

He is hopeful his Supermarine and College commitments will not have to be ended completely but admits the chance to coach the best was one "impossible to turn down".

He said: "The training facilities there are first class and the pitches are immaculate as you would expect.

"It is still a learning curve for me though as I will see how a club like Chelsea works.

"It is exciting because Chelsea is a club now whose main aim is to develop the kids to progress to the first team.

"I know they can obviously spend money but, like Manchester United and Arsenal, Chelsea can see the importance of developing their own talent."

While Howell is relishing the task ahead he insists he will not forget about his responsibilities with Southern League Supermarine.

He said: "We will take it as it comes. I have had a chat with Mark Collier and he is happy for me. I may have to miss some games but I will get the ones I can.

"It will be strange for me to leave Swindon Town but it was a chance I could not turn down.

"This is something I have been aiming for for a long time and although it has taken a while, I am looking forward to having a go.

"I have to thank Swindon for what they have done for me as well. Maybe the finances don't allow them to do what they want there but I think, considering, they have done a great job."

Howell will take training sessions twice a week, once on a Saturday morning and then matches are played on a Sunday.