As a football fan, (West Ham if you’re interested…) Martin O’Neil is one of the few opposition managers I have time for. His record as a player and manager speaks for itself having won numerous major English, Scottish and European trophies as well as guiding the Republic of Ireland to a European Championship. But I’ve always been more impressed by how he conducts himself in interviews, his gentle manner, sense of humour, clear ideas and knowledge of the game mixed with a determination to win. I always get the impression he’d be great to play under. The sort of manager who would take you under his wing, know what buttons to press and get you firing on all cylinders. Who wouldn’t want to play the beautiful game for someone like that?
At 73 years old, most people wouldn’t be stepping back into the pressure cooker of football management. But that’s exactly what Martin O’Neil did recently when he took on an interim second spell as manager of a struggling Celtic FC earlier this year.
And it worked.
Seven wins out of eight matches. So when he was asked on TalkSport’s ‘White and Jordan show’, would he, go back into football management again if the opportunity came up? Martin answered, https://youtu.be/VxcYk7vmuLI
“I’ll tell you, but it has reinvigorated me. There’s no question about that. When you’re dealing with young people, it does make you feel much younger… Yeah, why not? I think I have as much energy as most managers at the minute.”
Martin was able to articulate something that youth volunteers have known for years. Working with young people does make you feel much younger!
People often say things things like:
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“I don’t think I’ve got the energy anymore”
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“I’m too old to relate to young people”
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“Youth work is probably for someone younger”
And then… they start volunteering.
And something changes.
Being around young people has a way of pulling you out of yourself. Their honesty, their questions, their humour, their curiosity about life and faith can be contagious. You remember what it was to be curious and excited yourself. You don’t have to try to feel younger. It just happens organically.
You don’t need to be young. You need to be you.
Youth work isn’t about being trendy or knowing what’s on TikTok.
It’s about:
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Turning up
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Listening
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Being consistent
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Caring enough to stick around
Your life experience matters.
Your faith journey matters.
Your calm presence matters.
Young people don’t need another influencer. They need adults who will take them seriously and show them what faith looks like lived out over time.
Maybe this is your “why not?”
Martin Neil summed it up perfectly with those two simple words: “Yeah, why not?”
Why not give it a go?
Why not invest in the next generation?
Why not discover that you’ve still got more energy to give than you thought?
At Camberley Youth for Christ, we work with churches and in schools across Surrey Heath, supporting young people where they are. We’re always looking for volunteers – especially those who think they might be past it, because I can guarantee you’re not!
You might just find that working with young people gives you more than you expect.
Fancy a no-pressure chat to find out more?
I’d love to chat.