Town academy coach Steve Foley has turned down the chance to join the coaching staff of Miami FC, who play in the North American Soccer League (NASL).

Foley, 64, was offered the role by new head coach Paul Dalglish, who he knows from their time together at Norwich City.

However, Clacton-born Foley, who as well as working at Playford Road is the head coach at Needham Market’s academy, has opted remain close to his family in North Essex.

“I feel honoured to have been approached by Paul,” he told the Colchester Gazette. “It’s a golden opportunity and one I’ve given serious thought to.

“Miami is a beautiful place - like a different world - and it would be an amazing experience to go and live and work out there.

“At a different time in my life, I might have gone but it’s not something I want to do at my age.

“My wife and I had a good chat about it but I’m rooted here and have a young great grandson, who we look after every Tuesday and Thursday.

“I love him to bits and miss him on the days he’s not with us, so couldn’t imagine being so far away.”

Foley, who made close to 300 appearances for Colchester United during his playing days and was Town's first-team coach under Jim Magilton, has recently reduced his working hours.

“It’s the same thing with the opportunity Paul has given me," he added. “But I can’t thank him enough for wanting me by his side and in many respects, I wish circumstances were different.”

Miami FC had a highly successful 2017 in which they won the Spring Season and Fall Season Championships, breaking a number of modern-day NASL team and individual records along the way, as well as progressing to the quarter-finals of the US Open Cup.

Photo: Action Images

Bluebell added 10:08 - Jan 31 Good for him. I always say family comes first. But what an opportunity!
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Dalty added 10:13 - Jan 31 Thought it was Beckham's Miami team at first before realising it was Maldini's! Great opportunity, can imagine if he was ten years younger he'd have gone for it. Indicates he's doing a good job here if he's being offered positions elsewhere.
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Wallingford_Boy added 10:35 - Jan 31 I guess Ipswich is a lovely part of the world..
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 10:57 - Jan 31 Sunny Suffolk over Miami any day for me.
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terryf added 13:31 - Jan 31 I know Steve well and he's a great guy and coach. He was also a good footballer in his time with the Us Family has always meant a lot to him so I can understand his decision.
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