SUCCESS STORY: Mason Mcclelland

Mason Mcclelland spent four years as a Myerscough student, completing a BTEC programme, before moving to a foundation degree in football coaching, where he also completed his Level 1 and 2 coaching badges. He completed his studies in 2009 before embarking on his career path.

He recently became Assistant Manager at FC Bruno’s Magpies in the Gibraltar Football League, following a career to date that has taken his to roles at academies a range of clubs in the UK, including Bolton Wanderers, Accrington Stanley and Fleetwood Town, before a seven year spell in the UAE, as Technical Director, and then Head Coach of Dubai City.

The new league season in Gibraltar is already underway, with the club also involved in high profile Europa Conference League qualifying fixtures against the likes of Derry City and FC Copenhagen.

We asked Mason to share his memories of Myerscough and tells us about his experiences to date.

Please could you provide an overview of your career to date?

It all started at Myerscough College where they put me through my Level 1 & 2 coaching badges. I started to work with Blackburn Rovers FC in the community working with different age groups and gaining some experience. I started to work with Bolton Wanderers FC International Academy where I was lucky to travel the world working with different academies.

I left Bolton in 2016 to join Fleetwood Town FC to work as the Youth Development Lead and the U18s assistant coach, until I moved abroad to the UAE in Dubai.

I signed as the Technical Director at Dubai City FC which I had a fantastic seven years, and in June 2024 I moved to FC Bruno’s Magpies to help the team to prepare for the Europa Conference League and the league for the 2024-25 season.

What did you enjoy most about your time studying at Myerscough?

I really enjoyed both the playing side and the theory side. The coaches were excellent in delivering the practical element on the BTEC and the degree but also in the team environment where the quality of players and the coaching was very high.

I enjoyed living away from home in the residential blocks with our team mates. I felt all of the lecturers were also very personable and showed an unrivalled level of care towards your personal development. Whilst you are at Myerscough over a period of time, it is instilling in you the key values to go on and have a great career in your chosen subject or discipline. 

What are your favourite memories?

I really enjoyed the opportunities to play against the professional teams such as Preston North End, Blackpool, Carlisle and Stockport County. I was delighted when I passed my coaching badges as this was the catalyst to kick on post Myerscough alongside the course and the experience gained day to day.

Finally, all the lecturers and coaches made Myerscough feel like a home and we were a big family unit.

Do you have any advice you could provide to new students wishing to pursue a career in the industry?

My advice is to go out there and create your own luck. Get in front of people, step outside of your comfort zone. Not just in the sporting industry but in any business. It is about making a good impression, having good values and a good work ethic. When you do this consistently you start to build a strong network and relationships and this can propel you moving forwards.

I also believe working in something you are passionate about makes it less about a job and more about living your interests and passions every day and how you can make an impact on other people.

Any final words?

A massive thank you to all of the teachers, coaches, lecturers, personal trainers for all the advice, experience gained over my four years. I had an incredible time which I will never forget which I have made friends for life, memories to cherish and it helped instil a fire in me to strive to be the very best in the sporting industry every day.