Matt Derbyshire returns to Blackburn to begin coaching path

The Great Harwood local lived out his dream of playing for 'his team' after breaking through the Academy. Under the guidance of Mark Hughes, he was an important squad member in what now feel like the 'glory years'.

Derbyshire has always wanted to be a coach, when he hung up his boots. Having interviewed him previously about his story and inevitably what would come next, he spoke with real passion and clarity that the next phase of his life in football would be on the training pitch.

The drive was to 'work from the ground level' and work his way up. That journey has now begun back where it all started, at Blackburn Rovers.

Derbyshire is now regularly down at the Brockhall Senior Training Centre working with the Under-14s, and even the Under-18s, as he continues to work towards his UEFA A-license.

"I always knew that I wanted to go into coaching as we've spoken about before," Derbyshire told The Lancashire Telegraph.

"I always felt that it would be my next step when I did finish playing. Obviously, you want to continue that as long as possible.

"When I finished with Bradford towards the end of last season, I had a lot of time on my hands. I wanted to keep my routine and continue coaching, I'd already done some at Bradford, which was a fair distance to keep travelling from home.

"I got in touch with the club and the Academy staff. They invited me down and it progressed from there. It is a great experience even just to watch sessions, never mind planning them and getting involved. Then it became a regular thing and I have been doing it for the last year now.

"To do this at my club, I'm a Blackburn Rovers fan as everyone knows, does make it special. It is where I started my journey and I want to give something back.

"I owe the Academy so much for their help in my career. If I can try to impart some of my experiences on the new age groups, then that's all you want as a coach."

In many ways, it does feel like Derbyshire's career has gone full circle. He was brought to Bradford, his last club, by Hughes, the man who handed him his Rovers debut.

It was perhaps a strange feeling then when Hughes was dismissed by the Bantams on October 4, one year ago. Derbyshire, alongside Kevin McDonald, took the reigns on an interim basis before a new manager was appointed.

Whilst he'd already been working on his coaching before this moment, it was a real eye-opener into the other side of a first-team environment. It was a moment that would either pour flames or cold water on his coaching ambitions. Thankfully it was the latter.

"It was a fantastic experience to be given that opportunity, even for a short period," Derbyshire explained.

"To get that insight into planning for a first-team environment was fantastic. It gives you a real appreciation of how meticulous you have to be to succeed at any level but particularly in the EFL.

"It only confirmed to me that this was what I wanted to do next and how I wanted to progress my career further.

"From then I have just been working to try and get whatever opportunities I can. The exposure to different coaches and sessions is so valuable."

Derbyshire laughs when asked if there remain a few familiar faces around from his time. But there are. Kit men and women and behind-the-scenes club staff. Whilst the players and managers, now head coaches, might have left, there remains a sense of familiarity in the surroundings.

It's a great time to be at Blackburn Rovers too. Confidence is at its highest in the last 12 months with the disappointment of last season firmly in the rear view mirror.

"John is doing a fantastic job, it's brilliant to see the club moving in the right direction," Derbyshire said, delighted as much as any other Rovers fan.

"It's great to be around the place again. It does feel like there's a renewed positivity, not just at the training ground but at Ewood too.

"I've loved going down for the home games and buying the kits, engaging with that side of the club again. I think he's doing a great job and long may that continue."

Outside of his work with the football club, Derbyshire also runs a successful coaching school with fellow former Rovers-man, Andy Taylor, I.D Football Academy. The sessions are based at Blackburn's training facilities, in the dome.

Matt Derbyshire runs I.D Football Academy. (Image: I.D Football Academy)

The sessions are built around developing young male and female players, aged between 8 and 14 with personal, quality coaching. Derbyshire also runs individual, one-on-one forward sessions for all ages to try and impart some of his expertise.

You can find out more about I.D Football Academy here.