Middlesbrough College’s First Team Football Academy Coach!
Meet Craig Hignett, a football professional whose love for the game has shaped an extraordinary career both on and off the pitch.
Craig has always been involved in professional football, from being signed to Everton at just 11 years old to scoring in the first game at Riverside Stadium for Middlesbrough Football Club.
Now, as First Team Coach for Middlesbrough College’s Football Academy, Craig brings decades of top-level experience to the team, inspiring and developing the next generation of football talent.
Craig said: “I’ve been asked to do lots of things in my career, but I really missed coaching. When I heard about the opportunity at Middlesbrough College’s Football Academy, I thought it would be an excellent chance to get into it again.
“It’s going great so far – I love seeing the lads learn, they’ve been brilliant. They’re really good players.”
“The standard of the players in Middlesbrough College’s Football Academy has really impressed me. They’re all so willing to listen and learn, and I really enjoy the different characters we have in the team. They question me on what we’re doing and why – which is brilliant.
“We’ve got a lot of players in the team that are willing to push themselves and each other, and that drive is what makes the team so exciting to work with.”
“My aim is to make sure everyone takes something away from the session. I want to give the team a better understanding of the game – telling them things that, as a young player, I wish people had told me.
“With the experience I’ve got, I’m able to teach the players in new ways that they might not necessarily be used to. It’s always great to challenge people to be better – whether that’s as an individual or as a team.
When asked what he would say to anyone considering a role at Middlesbrough College, Craig said:
“Come do it – dip your toe in and see if it’s for you. As someone who has worked at a professional football club, I wasn’t sure if this was for me. But I’m thoroughly enjoying it.
“Getting back to coaching is brilliant – it gives me a bit of a buzz. I’d recommend Middlesbrough College to anyone.”
Beyond his time on the pitch, Craig has contributed extensively as a football coach, working with Middlesbrough FC’s young players, serving as Assistant Manager at both Hartlepool and Middlesbrough, and taking on the role of Director of Football at Hartlepool.
Since retiring from professional football, Craig has continued to share his passion for the game, working as a BBC commentator for Liverpool matches – a role he held for over 15 years.
When asked about his career standouts, Craig said: “I’ve played in every game I could play in. As I kid, I always wanted to play in the FA Cup Final – and I managed to do it with Boro and win the league cup with Blackburn.
“I’ve been lucky – I’ve done a lot of stuff in my career that I wanted to do as kid. Now I want to give back to the next generation of professional footballers – telling them everything I wish someone told me when I was a kid.”
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