Cambridge United Hall of Famer, Dave Kitson paid a visit to the Club’s Training Ground recently to deliver a talk to our Under 21 and Under 18 players regarding the lessons he learnt throughout his career as a footballer...
Dave shared how he had had several high and low points throughout his career and how each and every moment has led him to where he is today. He touched on how important it is to have an identity both as a footballer and also a person; an incredibly important message and one that is consistently reiterated to the boys.
He had the boys engaged from the beginning, speaking about his journey and career, including his time with the U’s. The transformation at the Club and Training Ground from his time was stark, as he recalled when they sometimes had to train on Parker’s Piece when there weren’t any pitches available around the City!
Throughout his talk, Dave touched on key themes and lessons he has learned by utilising stories about the players he has swapped shirts and discussing how even this gesture of respect is diminishing in the game.
Using real life stories Dave was able to teach the boys several important life lessons, including resilience, and importantly how being kind to others costs nothing. The boys were incredibly impressed by the shirt selection, some even wearing the shirts during Dave’s talk.
To have a Club legend, such as Dave, come in to deliver such an important and impactful talk to the boys shows the strength of the Academy’s Education and Life-Skills Programme and this opportunity will only build on the holistic development of our boys as we continue to develop both the person and the footballer.
A heartfelt thanks goes out to Dave and we can’t wait to welcome him back again soon.
