WALSHY CAN SPOT TALENT WHEN HE SEES IT.

It has been a long day. On the road by 6.30am and home by 7.30pm with the rest of Friday night to entertain me-FACup tie between Macclesfield and Oxford United, who look to be on the end of things at the moment. I have spent the day the other home of English football-St George's Park. So I have driven past Marston's Brewery, soon to meet up with football coaches wearing badges that say The Brewers-it can only be near Burton-on-Trent.

This was a CPD moment for me, earning 6 hours that will make me "legal" in the eyes of the FA for another year. The day was devoted to Level 3 and 4 coaches who are involved in "Talent Identification" ie recognising when there is a future "Messi" in our midst and then ensnaring him/her into the wonderful world of football.

In the present day the world of football is not all that it might be cracked up to be, but perhaps we have moved on from those controversial days that have been gracing our back pages recently.

I sat through representatives from the BRIT School telling us how then recognise and deal with talent, the ECB's  Mo Babat launching the careers of future test cricketers and various other speakers, all presented in the Bobby Robson ball room in the Hilton Hotel, sites at the home of practical football. it cost me £95 and I had mid morning snacks, lunch and tea before I ventured home educated in the processes of bringing talent into English football.

The best moment of the day was a presentation to Steve Walsh (Scout) for his "Outstanding Contribution to Talent ID and Recruitment".  Steve has been round the block and is responsible for the rise of Leicester City, including the recognition of Kante's skills and others.

Born in Chorley, he was a PE teacher and worked at Bury, Chester City and moved to Chelsea (where he "scouted" Zola and Drogba) before following Nigel Pearson to Leicester City. It is with the Foxes that he made his name and his contribution to our game has been truly recognised by the FA. He proved to be an honest and modest man in the cut throat game of scouting footballers.

Walsh is now scouting at Everton FC.