England football superstar Steven Gerrard has taken on the job of mentoring Coventry teenager Conor Thomas since his move to Liverpool.
The Merseyside club’s captain has taken the 17-year-old Coundon lad under his wing this week after he joined from Coventry City.
Staff at Coundon Court School has been told their former pupil is getting lifts to training and one-to-one sessions with one of the best footballers in the country.
Conor joined the Premier League giants on a season-long loan during transfer deadline day on Monday – to the disappointment of many Sky Blues fans.
He had been hailed the brightest young prospect the club have produced for years but left days after making his first team debut.
His former PE teacher at Coundon Court School Marc Thomas said: “Steven Gerrard is his mentor. Dalglish just rang him and said ‘Steven Gerrard will pick you up’. He’s kind of taken him under his wing.
“It’s just one of those things. He would probably have got more game time at City but when you have one of the biggest clubs in the world banging on your door, it’s an opportunity that might not come along again.”
The season-long move with a view to a permanent deal came after Conor made his Sky Blues debut in the FA Cup defeat at Birmingham City.
It’s been quite a week for Mr. Thomas – no relation to Conor. He also taught rugby player Tom Woods at Woodlands School, who made his England Debut in the Six Nations opener against Wales last night.
Mr. Thomas has been teaching for 17 years and joined Coundon Court School on the same day as his talented namesake six years ago.
“We knew he was supposed to be a good sportsman because we co-ordinate with the primary schools,” he said. “He’s a big engine in the middle of the park and a big personality on the pitch.
“If you want to achieve at the top in sport you have to have the desire and the personality for it.
“He has all the attributes and he’s going to be working with some outstanding people at Liverpool. If he keeps developing his game then the world’s his oyster.”
Conor started out playing minor league football for Christ the King before joining City’s Academy under-sevens.
He left Coundon Court School at the end of his Year 11 studies last July. “He was never big headed, just a really nice lad,” said Mr. Thomas.
“He hasn’t got an arrogant bone in his body. We would love to see him playing in the Champions League or on Match of the Day.
“Everyone at the school is so proud of him.”
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