James Baxendale can't wait to begin coaching career at Worksop Town

Worksop Town midfielder James Baxendale says that he is looking forward to taking the early steps into coaching after being appointed as a player-coach at Sandy Lane.
James Baxendale has been made player-coach at Worksop Town. Pic by Lewis Pickersgill.James Baxendale has been made player-coach at Worksop Town. Pic by Lewis Pickersgill.
James Baxendale has been made player-coach at Worksop Town. Pic by Lewis Pickersgill.

As part of boss Craig Parry’s reshuffle of his management, he has promoted Baxendale in a similar fashion to when Luke Jeffs and Mark Whitehouse made their way into the dugout after their playing days came to an end.

However, the 28-year-old stressed that despite taking on the role, his influence and importance on the pitch will not be hindered next season.

“It is something that I can experience on the other side to it, but first and foremost, I want to be out there on the pitch – hopefully, every week – and be the best player that I can possibly be,” said Baxendale.

“There has been a lot of football on the TV, and I am already starting to think, ‘this team’s playing that shape’ and ‘what would I do against x, y, and z’, so I’m looking forward to it.

“I think from working with the boys in the management team, I have got my love for the game back, and this is just another step towards something that I have always wanted to do.

“It was a no-brainer to become part of the management team, and with the facilities we have, it is probably the best place to be at; I have been excited to get going and it is a shame that we can’t start sooner.”

Baxendale made over 100 appearances in the Football League, representing the likes of Doncaster Rovers, Walsall, and Mansfield Town.

He explained how his experience can inspire the squad from a coaching perspective, after several years of aiding players on the pitch.

“You look at a lot of the lads coming through and they’re probably going to be younger than me, so I can take experiences that I have had with another person or with a gaffer that has done a lot for me, and I know if it has worked or hasn’t worked,” he continued.

“I can take what managers have done for me that has made me feel brilliant on a Saturday or made me feel terrible in the week, and I can use what I have learnt and hopefully help lads along the way.

“I am a thinker, and I think a lot about the game and different player’s emotions.”