WITH the excitement of the quarter-final of the FA trophy clash at Exeter City in prospect, Salisbury City footballer Andy Cook could be forgiven for taking his eye off the ball when it comes to the day job.

But that wouldn't be a good idea because the ball is very much what his job is all about.

Andy is the city's football in the community officer and his remit is to provide good quality football coaching to as many youngsters as possible across the district whether in schools as part of the curriculum, at after school clubs or via soccer schools run by Salisbury City FC.

"We try and get around, so that it's not just central Salisbury," he says.

In fact, the job takes him all over south Wiltshire covering an area from Hindon and Steeple Langford to Farley, Pitton and Downton.

Andy, who lives in Romsey, enjoyed a career in professional football, including seasons at Southampton, Portsmouth, Swansea City and, ironically, Exeter City before signing for Salisbury in 1999.

"We started the football in the community scheme about six years ago when I finished playing professionally," he says.

"It gave us the opportunity to make good quality football coaching available to everyone regardless of their ability."

Girls as well as boys are welcome.

"When we initiated the scheme, we contacted schools across the board and got a lot of positive response, so we started to schedule sessions," Andy (36) says.

Andy says that having a player/football coach attached to a club, who can foster and channel enthusiasm for the game as well as spot potential soccer stars of the future, is a facility offered to the community by many of the big professional clubs.

The consensus was that there was just as much need for it in Salisbury even though the city doesn't have a professional football club.

"But it is primarily there for the kids to enjoy the activity," he says.

While much of Andy's work takes place in term time, he also runs soccer schools over the holidays.

Those held at Salisbury City's home ground, the Raymond McEnhill Stadium, have the added bonus of a chance to look round the dressing rooms and play on the pitch.

Andy also works with Salisbury district council's community initiatives section to develop and offer special events.

In October, a football festival involved around 30 primary school teams from across the district, hosted by St Edmund's Girls' School, in Laverstock, and the Trafalgar School, at Downton.

"They had a six-week coaching period and it was absolutely fantastic," says Andy.

"It's building year on year and students at those schools can become involved in the organisation."

Andy says youngsters are important to the future of the sport.

"I've been involved with football from an early age and this is a chance to give a little bit back," he says.

"The grass roots are so important.

"We want kids to have a good experience at an early age so they will take it forward and stay involved with the sport."