EPL Academy Coach Joins Placer Coaching Staff
Posted On May 25, 2018 by PUSC
Placer United welcomes Burnley FC Academy Coach Rory Pendergast to our 2018/19 coaching staff. Rory is a UEFA A licensed coach with over ten years coaching experience working at EPL clubs including Burnley FC, Watford FC, and Leicester City as well as English championship clubs Bristol City and Sheffield Wednesday.
Rory Prendergast, Barnsley (Photo by Mike Egerton/EMPICS via Getty Images)
Rory also played professionally for over ten years throughout the English leagues, making over 100 league and cup appearances for the likes of Barnsley, York City, Oldham, Accrington Stanley and Blackpool. Achievements include reaching the FA Cup third round and appearing in News of the World Team of the Week with Accrington Stanley. It was while playing for Accrington Stanley in 2005 Rory caught the eye of the then Blackpool coach and former Scottish international player Colin Hendry who signed Rory to try and help Blackpool push for promotion from the English league one division to the Championship division.
Blackpool’s Rory Prendergast (r) crosses the ball versus Leicester City in the Carling Cup (Photo by Joe Giddens – EMPICS/PA Images via Getty Images)
“I’m sure everybody at the soccer club will be looking forward to seeing Rory on the soccer field as he is a very passionate about his coaching,” said Director Paul O’Brien. “He comes highly recommended and having talked to him quite a lot over the last few weeks I know he is looking forward to working and living in Placer County.”
Aldershot’s Dean Hooper and Accrington Stanley’s Rory Prendergast battle for the ball (Photo by Adam Davy/EMPICS via Getty Images)
“Rory worked with us at the Watford Academy and during his time with us his playing and coaching experience came through strongly. I found Rory to be dependable, reliable, hardworking, conscientious and honest. He is knowledgeable in our field as you would expect from a former professional footballer. He was appreciated by players and staff alike. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his efforts. We would welcome back Rory at any of our facilities.”—Barry Quin, Head of Coaching, Watford FC
“Rory has participated in a lot of FA courses and brings a good knowledge to the game.” —Dick Bate, Coach Educator, and Former Elite Coaching Manager, FA