Mark Dolan Appointed National Team Assistant Coach

Mark Dolan - Image: Jake Kirkman

Writes: Evan Halliday

Following the departure of Dave Maclean, the England Amputee Football Association is thrilled to announce the appointment of Mark Dolan as national team Assistant Coach.

Recently the charity bid farewell to Maclean who spent seven years as assistant coach operating as the righthand man to former national team Head Coach Owen Coyle Jr and current boss Scott Rogers.

“It’s difficult to find the words to describe ‘DMacs’ (Maclean’s nickname) time with EAFA, his commitment and dedication to amputee football has been outstanding and he will be hugely missed by all,” said Rogers.

“On a personal level, I’d like to thank DMac for all the support he has given me since my appointment as Head Coach, I will forever be grateful for his support and guidance over the last eight months.”

Mark Dolan has a wealth of experience in coaching from both the amputee and able-bodied game as well as being involved in the EAFA coaching setup for the past year, having a key role in the build-up to the last World Cup, working with Rogers throughout that period.

“We will work closely as a technical team to plan a world-class programme that will give the players an opportunity to work to compete at the highest level and it will be up to Mark and the wider team to deliver this programme,” the gaffer detailed the plan.

“Being in and around the coaches who have been involved with amputee football, I’ve learned a lot about the game, putting our different coaching methods together in order to cater for different shapes and formations, especially with the quicker style of play displayed in amputee football,” said Dolan.

Dolan laying the foundations - Image: Jake Kirkman

Along with his tremendous experience, Mark has brought success to the teams he has worked with, achieving promotion to the third tier of Women’s football with Liverpool Feds and most notably winning a domestic double with Everton this season, taking the league title and FA Disability cup back to Merseyside.

“I’m massively proud of the achievements of the recent season, after the previous season the goal was just to develop on that but to go on and win the league and cup, we’re over the moon,” said the newly appointed assistant.

“A massive credit has to go to the lads and buying into the process.”

With five members of the national team representing Everton at club level, Dolan hopes to build on his club success with the national team and strengthen the connection he already has with Rogers.

“I feel like I’ve built a good relationship with Scott quite quickly, we get on well and it was nice to hear he has that faith in me and wants me to be more involved with what happens on the pitch,”

I’m delighted that he feels I have the ability to step up as his assistant, I can’t wait to get stuck into it, with the build-up to the upcoming tournaments,” he added.

Everyone from players to staff are delighted to see Mark take the step up into this crucial role and hopefully add to the trophy cabinet.