What is it like to manage your son in the Irish League? Three fathers give insight into the special relationship

It’s something which a number of families have had to navigate in recent times – Paul and Josh Kee are helping H&W Welders set the platform for a Championship title bid this season while former Northern Ireland international Ivan Sproule’s teenage son Sam is showing goals run in the family by impressing at Dergview.

Also, Johnny Law has recently departed Premier Intermediate League outfit Portstewart, where he managed son Glenn, winning multiple trophies together and continuing a journey which started in the youth ranks of East End and Bertie Peacock’s over 20 years ago.

We spoke to all three of those aforementioned to get an insight into what it’s like managing family, how easy or difficult it is to leave football on the pitch and how special it is sharing these memories together.

PAUL KEE AND JOSH KEE

Just like most footballing fathers, Paul has played a big role in Josh’s development from an early age, passing on experiences from his own time as a player at the likes of Mansfield Town, Nottingham Forest, Southampton and Charlton Athletic.

Kee had a unique insight into one of the more high-profile father-son relationships having watched the legendary Brian Clough direct the career of striker Nigel at Forest and with Josh progressing through the ranks at Maiden City, where Paul was manager, the pair are now hoping to fire Welders into the Premiership.

Josh, who enjoyed a spell with Chesterfield, has seemingly taken his game to another level this term, playing a crucial part in a team that has scored 24 league goals in only seven matches, but Paul admits it’s a dynamic that requires attention to thrive.

"How many sons do you know that plays for their dad and are successful? It's really tough,” he said. “That's a relationship we work on all the time.

"He's a level-headed young man. It's easy for me to say that because I'm his dad and really proud of everything he does, but he gets on with his job, is very committed to his teammates and he knows if he doesn't play well he won't play.”

During car journeys and family dinners, it would be easy to get into discussions about the minutiae of Saturday’s result, but it’s important that when football is over Paul and Josh go from manager and player to father and son once again.

"We try and keep away from talking about football in the house,” adds Paul. “We do talk about it a bit but not that much because his mum - my wife - is caught in the middle and she isn't interested in football!

"That's good for me, she respects my work but she has no real interest. One of the first times she came to watch Josh when he started to take it seriously about 13, she said after the match 'all I could see is you went up one side of the pitch, then back down the other and back up again!' so we still laugh about that to this day. She's the first to be happy for him when he's doing well too."

Having Josh in the changing room and starring in the Welders’ current run also makes the success even more special for Paul, who beams with pride at his 21-year-old – not only the football player but also the man he’s developed in to.

"That makes it even more worthwhile,” he said. "He's just a member of the team and I'm really lucky that I have so many good young players.

"The work ethic has to be spot on every game and we've good momentum at the minute which brings confidence, but at the same time we have to keep the players' feet on the ground.”

JOHNNY AND GLENN LAW

Johnny was only intending to go along to watch one of Glenn’s first training sessions at East End, a club he joined at the age of six, but little did he know that moment is what would spark a now 21-year coaching career which his son has played a starring role in.

Through time then spent in the Bertie Peacock youth ranks to signing for Coleraine’s reserves aged 15 to winning consecutive Craig Memorial Cup crowns with Portstewart, the Law’s have done it together – they even work in the same company too.

"It wasn't different for me in terms of managing him to any other player,” says Johnny. "You can't cross professional with personal and I've taken that into football.

"I've Glenn and a daughter, Kirsty, and she comes to support the team too. That's what I love about football - my family don't get involved in picking the team but they are really supportive for me, you'd be lost without it.

"The Craig Memorial is a competition which has been good to me and the first final we were going to with Portstewart against Moyola was great because I was on the bus with my son and grandson who was doing mascot.

"It only really hit home about the family when someone came up and said 'get a photo with Glenn and Chad with the cup' and it was only when we took that picture that I was emotional. It was brilliant. One year later we won it again and we took the same picture!"

Glenn was always talented – a fact which was shown by him earning a move to Sheffield Wednesday’s academy in 2013, spending two years with The Owls, and when things got off to a tough start with international clearance failing to come through, Johnny was there supporting and fighting his corner.

"There isn't enough done for those boys who go across the water and come back,” he reflected. “Glenn came back a broken young lad and even the weeks leading up to getting the decision on whether you're staying or not and the heartache of that.

"I tried to make it clear to Glenn that none of this was his fault. I rang the Irish FA about Glenn's international clearance everyday Monday-Friday for four months and the English FA every day for two months.

"If I'd known at the start what I knew at the end...Glenn's more than happy playing football where he is now and he has a smile on his face, but for me, at 16 it was too young. It was a harsh, harsh lesson for me and Glenn and it's something we'll never know if we did right or wrong.”

Just like any parent, Glenn’s happiness is the number one priority for Johnny and getting to spend years watching his son from the touchline has been a privilege.

"I'm really proud of what he has done,” he said. "Glenn and I talk about football every day of the week.

"The main thing is he's happy playing football. I treated him the same as everyone else...Glenn was a shining light for me because you need boys that can see a pass and I would never blow smoke, but he's one of the best passers in the league without a shadow of a doubt. He has been a joy to coach from day one."

IVAN AND SAM SPROULE

Former Northern Ireland striker Ivan developed an impressive reputation for scoring goals in the Irish League, Scotland and England – and it appears that’s a trait which runs in the family with 16-year-old son Sam showing signs of early promise at Dergview.

Ivan began his senior career with Omagh Town and Institute before earning a move to Scottish Premiership side Hibernian and also went on to represent the likes of Bristol City, Ross County and Linfield.

The 43-year-old is now enjoying his second permanent spell in charge of hometown club Dergview as they look to bounce back from last season’s Championship relegation.

A 4-0 Irish Cup victory over Tobermore United earlier this season was inspired by Sam’s hat-trick, marking his competitive senior debut in fine style having came off the bench with 20 minutes to play at Fortwilliam Park.

"He's quick to remind me he's a better finisher than me - I never was a finisher though I was known for my pace!” laughs Ivan. “He has that eye for goal and is an old-fashioned centre-forward.

"He had a good pathway in junior football with Ardstraw and Dergview, then he went to Dungannon but didn't like the travelling.

"As a dad first and foremost it's about making sure my lad is happy wherever he plays and it's not about pushing him. I'd be happy to see Sam playing at any level.

"He certainly has talent and it's how he works away from the pitch and looks after himself. He has seen things his dad was doing when I was playing at a high level.

"He's a young boy and Sam, along with the other young players, will get out of football what they put in. Work rate is massive and he's willing to work hard, he's humble and has no fear.

"Youth is respectful but doesn't fear and I love that - there's a beauty in that and we want to bring through our own young players at Dergview."

While managing your child is a unique situation, Ivan insists Sam won’t be treated any differently to others at Darragh Park as he looks to fulfil his undoubted potential.

"Away from football he's my son and one of the most important people in my world and when he walks through the gates with the rest of the players he becomes a player,” he added. "For him at 16 to have a hat-trick in the Irish Cup is great but he's young, humble and he'll keep working hard.

"Hopefully he has a bright future ahead of him. He's the one that holds it in his hands and feet now...his destiny is where he wants to take it."