Whilst sportsmen and women at university tend not to venture far beyond the reaches of their own sports unions when looking to get involved in a team, two men from Edinburgh University are making an impact on football outside of the BUCS leagues.

David Griffiths, an associate professor in management of training and development, and Tiwa Cardoso, currently studying for an MSc in the same subject, are the manager and assistant-manager of East Lothian-based Haddington Athletic FC, a semi-professional club currently competing in the South Division of the SFA’s Junior Eastern League.

Griffiths, a qualified UEFA A-licensed coach, is a native of Wales and has been involved in coaching football for almost 20 years. Beginning his career in the USA, he was later involved in coaching programs with Liverpool FC and Icelandic club KTH Reykjavik, before returning to his homeland where he was appointed as a football development officer with the Welsh FA. He has since worked alongside a number of well-known football coaches including former Bolton Wanderers general manager Frank McParland and ex-Liverpool legend Steve Heighway.

After the resignation of former Haddington manager George Bowmaker, Griffiths was appointed as club manager in January 2009, charged with the task of reversing the club’s fortunes following relegation to the lower tier of the Eastern League in the 2001/02 season.

Assistant manager Cardoso, a former player and manager with semi-professional London-based side Princes Park FC, enjoyed success as a central midfielder, but a serious knee injury in May 2008 prevented him from continuing his playing career. During his recuperation, he began the early stages of training to become an FA-accredited coach and presently holds a Level 2 licence.

In an interview with The Journal, Cardoso explains: “David and I first met as at Edinburgh University as a student and lecturer respectively. Long before he took the Haddington job, we had discussed football at length, so I was very excited when he offered me a trial as coach.”

The assistant-boss also admits that he did not intend to ply his trade as a coach during his spell at university, but the opportunity to work alongside a seasoned professional like Griffiths proved too good to turn down: “I wasn’t going to get involved in any serious coaching while I was in Edinburgh,” he says, “but the chance to work with someone of David’s experience doesn’t come often. I’ve already learned so much from him that will stand me in good stead should I ever want to move up a level and take my coaching more seriously. To be his assistant manager has been challenging and rewarding, and has definitely been a steep learning curve.”

Recently, Griffith and Cardoso have been faced with selection difficulties having inherited a squad that had lost a number of key players prior to their arrival. A recent spell of injuries and suspensions has also made picking a starting eleven particularly tough, and results over the past few months have not been what the managerial pair would have hoped for, with the team currently lingering at the lower end of mid-table. However, the two coaches are fully aware of the job that lies ahead:

“Considering what this squad has been up against—having to use amateurs, trialists and youth players in every game to overcome the injury crisis—I’d say there’s pretty good justification for our position,” says Griffith. “We haven’t been in a position to start the same eleven players since I took over, that's how bad the situation has been. We know that we need to match passion with ability, and we are under no illusions of our need to expand the playing staff.”

Unsurprisingly, given the current tribulations of the club, the managerial duo are now looking to recruit new players, and intend to use their connections with Edinburgh’s universities in order to discover new talent.

“The project at the club is definitely a long term one,” says Cardoso, “and this is why we’re keen to get students involved as they are often able commit to two, three or four years at a time. We are extremely keen to forge links with students from around the Edinburgh area – Edinburgh University, Napier, Heriot-Watt. We’re always on the lookout for new talent. As well trying to recruit new players, we're also looking for physios and fitness coaches.”

Though despite the proven quality of university football, the Haddington number two emphasises the difference between playing football at university and competing at semi-professional level:

“University football can often be played at an excellent standard,” he says, “and having watched a number of games, I’m aware that the standard is extremely high this year. However playing at semi-pro level is a different type of challenge. When you’re getting paid to play, the pressure and scrutiny you’re under is totally different. Your approach to everything from training through to match-day routines has to be spot on and you know that apart from the manager expecting you to justify your place, fans paying money will also have high expectations.”

Despite facing the difficulties with which so many of Scottish lower-league clubs are confronted, Griffiths and Cardoso are confident that the club can bounce back next season, and the two managers clearly have every intention of pushing for honours next season.