Greg Returns to Railhawks

"It is like living in a bubble. .. "I have been offered the position of Assistant Player Manager at Railhawks and I am pleased to take it.

Even though he was back in Fife, former Pars defender and captain, Greg Shields sat up and watched the Superbowl into the wee sma' hours. Losing several hours of sleep was a pleasure for him and just demonstrates how much he has integrated into the lifestyle and sport Stateside since he made the move to Carolina Railhawks in 2009. Before he left to return to North American Soccer League team the following morning he watched Dunfermline and Kilmarnock draw 1-1 at East End Park. But he returns to take up a fantastic offer that he will only be too pleased to accept:-

"I have been offered the position of Assistant Player Manager at Railhawks and I am pleased to take it. Our Manager Martin Rennie left in November with his assistant Paul Ritchie to go to Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS and now Colin Clarke, formerly with Dallas is the Manager. He used to play for Northern Ireland and played in the same team as Jimmy Nichol. I spoke to Jimmy Nic and asked him to put in a reference for me and it must have gone well"

Colin Clarke, Manager of Carolina Railhawks

Greg is looking forward to the new challenge:-

"I can't wait really, it is a great opportunity. I wasn't really interested in coaching before but since I went to the States, coaching kids and seeing how they do it, it is great. I have had a really good taste of it and have taken a few senior sessions last season as well. The plus is that they would like me to play, if I can still play after having a fusion in my back."

The injury incurred when an opponent put him up in the air in a challenge and meant he was out of action for a year and a half. His chances of playing again were slim but now at the age of 35 he feels good to play.

The new offer means that Greg's children will not be returning to Donibristle Primary School this year. They and mum, Lorraine can look forward to enjoying more of the American lifestyle for a little while longer.

WakeMed Soccer Park

The training and playing facilities Greg describes as the best he has ever had in his playing career which of course includes Rangers, Kilmarnock and London side, Charlton Athletic. Railhawks play in the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, a stadium that holds 10,000 but regularly attracts crowds of 6,000.

"They have the best surfaces that I have ever played on. It is a great place to play, the weather is great and in the summer it can be 95 degrees but you acclimatise quite quickly. Even right now it ranges between 60 and 65, it is great for the kids and just a completely different life. It is strange - it is like living in a bubble - kids there don't know what outside life is like."

Greg Shields and Stephen Glass at East End Park

Railhawks attracted other Scots in recent seasons - Allan Russell ex Kilmarnock and Airdrie and Paul Ritchie ex Hearts, Man City and Dundee United.. Stephen Glass was another and he has recently agreed to become assistant manager at Shamrock Rovers under Stephen Kenny.

East End Park was base for Greg Shields for over eight years. He had some highs and some lows but he was fortunate that cup finals were part of it. He is pleased that he took up the offer to go to America in the first place and that initial decision was made just as his team mate Scott Wilson had decided to try football in Australia.

"We both had a year left on our contracts but it was the right time to move on. My wife and kids miss home and the family but the education is great for the kids and we all really enjoy it. We even all go and watch American Football and basketball.

"It is harder for Lorraine and the kids but I have settled in really well. I am travelling a lot as well - sometimes we are away for ten days at a time. We can fly from North Carolina to Texas, back to Florida, on to Puerto Rica and back to Raleigh again. It is a long time when you are away but that is part and parcel of sport in America."

Securing support in North Carolina for soccer has been an enlightening experience, Greg added:-

"I have done a lot of things that I have never done in my career before. We definitely build relationships in our area with local businesses. I want to pass on my experience coaching and I am delighted to be given that opportunity under a coach who has won a lot of things in our league. I have always been good with other players and it is great to get the opportunity."

Greg has a B Licence coaching badge but will return in the summer to complete his A Licence at Largs. He has been back home four times in the last year and takes in Dunfermline matches. At the end of January Jim McIntyre allowed Greg to watch his training sessions and shadow him. He has also used his time back in Scotland to have conversations with Jimmy Calderwood, Dick Campbell, Jimmy Bone and Jimmy Nichol.

"I look up to these guys who coached me early on in my career. You are always there to learn and listen. Hopefully this is the start of something for me. I would love to be a manager, that's every one's dream but we will see how I do as an assistant. If it works out it will be fantastic."

Carolina Railhawks kick off their season with a home friendly against Vancouver Whitecaps on 4th March and their NASL season commences on 7th April against Minnesota.Stars in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis. Good luck to the former Dunfermline Athletic captain; Pars fans will be looking out for both the Railhawks and Greg Shields success.