Toon Trio Receive UEFA Pro Licence

By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor

Three of Newcastle United's development coaches have received the prestigious UEFA Pro Licence.

Ben Dawson, Neil Winskill and Liam Bramley have spent around four years working towards the qualification, which is the highest award available to football coaches and is mandatory for all first team managers who wish to work in the Premier League.

The trio collected their certificates at St. George's Park, the Football Association's national football centre, earlier this month.

Dawson is the Club's professional development phase coach, working alongside Peter Beardsley with United's under-21 side.

Winskill - who was an apprentice as a player at St. James' Park in the 1990s - and Bramley are Academy lead coaches at the youth development stage.

All three had previously gained the FA UEFA A Licence qualification.

"It is an honour to graduate with this highly prestigious award, which is recognised throughout world football," said Winskill. "It was terrific to complete it with two very close friends.

"I am extremely grateful of the support given by the Club and very proud to represent Newcastle United FC. I look forward to using the knowledge gained to continue to help our young players towards reaching their full potential."

Bramley added: "I am firstly incredibly grateful to have been given the opportunity to complete the UEFA Pro Licence course. I have been very fortunate to share what has been a fantastic experience with two very good friends.

"The course itself was a great learning experience that I am certain will help in all of our future coaching careers. To that end, I would like to thank whole-heartedly the FA for inviting me onto the course, all of the people that contributed to the course itself, and all of those people that have been involved in me reaching the point of achieving this prestigious award."

And Dawson said: "It was a great opportunity and privilege for us to be selected by the FA in the first instance, and to have the support of the Club has meant that we have been able to reap the maximum benefits available - and will no doubt put our knowledge and experience to good use for the benefit of the Club."