Carrick man helps Chelsea prepare for Super Cup win

A Carrickfergus football coach has spoken to the Times about how he was “privileged” to be able to assist Chelsea FC’s preparations at last week’s UEFA Super Cup final at Windsor Park.
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Andy Smyth, who currently is a goalkeeping coach with the Irish Football Association and Glentoran Women’s teams, was assistant kit man for Chelsea Football Club during the prestigious European clash in Belfast.

The match on Wednesday, August 11 saw the winners of the UEFA Champions League (Chelsea), take on the holders of the UEFA Europa League (Villarreal) for the silverware at the national stadium.

The teams could not be separated with the tie finishing 1-1 after 90 minutes and neither side was able to find a breakthrough in the 30 minutes of extra time.

Andy Smyth pictured at Windsor Park with the UEFA Super Cup.Andy Smyth pictured at Windsor Park with the UEFA Super Cup.
Andy Smyth pictured at Windsor Park with the UEFA Super Cup.

The west London team went on to triumph 6-5 in the penalty shootout to lift the trophy for a second time and east Antrim man, Andy, was close-by the winning team throughout their stay in Northern Ireland.

Speaking to this newspaper, he said: “I was contacted a number of weeks ago about being the assistant kit man for Chelsea during their time in Belfast and it was a privilege to be able to be involved.

“I’ve been involved with the Northern Ireland senior Women’s team as well as under 21, under 19 and youth sides during my time with the Irish Football Association, but the Super Cup final is the biggest match I’ve been lucky enough to be involved with.

“It was a different build-up to the game with Coronavirus tests and we had to stay in our Covid bubbles, but it was an amazing experience and it was great to be part of the winning team’s backroom staff.”

Andy, who has coached at a number of local teams, including Ballyclare Comrades, is travelling to Finland today (Tuesday) as part of the coaching panel with the Glentoran Women’s team ahead of their Champions League match with Servette FC.

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