THINGS might be going well for Wanderers at present but that hasn't stopped a handful of Reebok stars looking to the future. Gudni Bergsson took the lead, of course, when he qualified as a lawyer in his native Iceland and now, in between training sessions and matches, Dean Holdsworth, Robbie Elliott, Jimmy Phillips and Gavin Ward are also preparing for life after football - or at least life after playing.

Holdsworth is plotting his second career on two fronts. He is halfway though a year-long diploma in sports management at the University of Central Lancashire at Preston and is aiming to combine that with the UEFA 'B' coaching qualification, which is essential for anyone planning to coach at any level of the game.

Elliott is in the first year of studies for a Higher National Certificate in sports science at Preston following Ward, who is in his second year, while Phillips can give Holdsworth a tip or two having completed the bulk of his UEFA 'B' course at Manchester United's training headquarters at The Cliff. "It's changed quite a lot from the old FA qualification," Phillips explained, "and covers a lot more on education, players' fitness and injuries and social aspects. It's not just going onto the pitch and coaching kids.

"In March I'll have to put on two coaching sessions on consecutive Thursdays and you pass or fail on the strength of that.

"And it's not just a question of having played the game. It's one thing having the knowledge and another to be able to pass on that knowledge to others.

"But if I'm going to go into coaching when I stop playing I'll need this qualification."

Holdsworth certainly wants to stay in the game when his playing days are over. "I love football, love being involved in the game and to be able to carry on when I stop playing would be brilliant. These qualifications are the ones that stand out the most. I've only just turned 30 and I've a long way to go yet but I don't think it's ever too soon to get these things under your belt."

Elliott, who put an end to A level studies when he signed professional forms at Newcastle, also hopes to get the coaching qualification but for now is keeping his options open.

"I'd like to stay in the game in some capacity," he confirmed, "in fitness training, for instance.

"But the sports science course I'm on at the moment covers a lot of aspects and I haven't picked a specific topic yet."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.