Swansea City Alan Tate Under-18s coaching role
21st July
Former Swansea City defender Alan Tate has been appointed as a full-time coach at the club's academy.
The 33-year-old, who began his career at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, spent 13 seasons with the Swans after joining on loan in 2002 and went on to play 340 times for the club.
Following a playing spell with Welsh Premier League side Port Talbot Town last season, Tate will now help coach the Swans' Under-18s team alongside Eric Ramsay and Chris Llewellyn as well as taking charge of any games the U17s play this campaign.
"I am really looking forward to the new challenge this season," said Tate, who won three promotions and the Football League trophy during his playing career with the Swans.
"It gives me the opportunity to pass over the knowledge I have learnt in the game over the years to young players at the club, and hopefully I can help them develop into the first team.
"Taking on a coaching role is something I have been thinking of for a while. I started doing my coaching badges a few seasons ago and have progressed up the licences from there.
"I was fortunate enough to help coach the Swans Under-16s last season on a part-time basis, which was a great opportunity to prove I could take on a role like this.
"It has also meant those players have got to know me ahead of working with them this season with the Under-18s."
Tate has already begun his new coaching role alongside the U18s staff ahead of the new season.
The former defender, who was captain for the Swans' first Premier League fixture in 2011, joined the academy side on their successful pre-season training camp in Austria earlier this month.
"I've been impressed with what I have seen so far," added Tate. "The team worked really well in Austria. We beat a local side's reserve team before a 5-1 win over Hull's Academy.
"It is great to be able to give back to the next generation of players - it is something I always enjoyed doing as a player and now I get to do it as a coach.
"I have always seen myself going down this route. I've had some good playing days where I achieved a lot. My next step is to pass on that knowledge to young players coming through the system.
"Our main aim is to help these players find a path to the first team. Ben Davies was the last Academy player to find that path, which was a while ago.
"No matter where you are from, you always want to see local home-grown players in the first team. There is no better feeling than to have local players playing for your football team."
