MANCHESTER City captain Andy Morrison - whose discipline record on and off the football field is far from exemplary - has become an unlikely role model for class 6R at Chickenley community school, West Yorkshire.
When the Dewsbury school sought the help of Kirklees behaviour support service to work with the difficult class of 10 and 11-year-olds, they called in the footballer who has had counselling for his own problems.
Now in the third term of his regular anger and behaviour management sessions at the school, staff say the 28-year-old has made a significant difference.
Sheila Rourke, a teacher at Dewsbury, said: “These children need to trust people working with them and he has built a lovely relationship with them. He has been honest with them, told them about his own experiences and they appreciate that.”
Andy was captain of Huddersfield Town when he began visiting Chickenley last September. The footballer, who transferred to Manchester City for pound;80,000, admits his temper had caused problems. He was involved in nightclub fights and earlier this month was fined pound;600 and warned by the FA after getting 14 yellow cards at City.
Andy teaches self-restraint through ball-control skills, suggests alternative ways of dealing with anger and gives out good behaviour awards. He also helps the children maintain “keep cool” work booklets.
Andy said: “It’s good for the kids to have someone other than the teacher to listen to.
“I’ve talked to them about my bookings for dissent and told them that although it’s not wrong to get angry in some situations, it’s how you deal with it that matters.”
