Former Hearts coach reveals a new deal with local Edinburgh football club

Former Hearts coach Darren Murray has entered a new coaching parternship with local Edinburgh club Hutchison Vale. Through his DM Elite Football Academy, Murray will coach young Hutchie players aged eight or nine to enhance their development.

The Capital-based coach spent 15 years in total honing teenagers within the Hearts youth academy and also worked at first-team level before moving to Coventry City. He is now ready to expand his DM Elite company, offering one-to-one coaching and a small group service.

Following talks with Hutchison Vale officials, Murray has agreed to work with some of their younger boys and girls. He told the Evening News he is excited returning to the club where he played as a child. "I was at Hutchie Vale in the same team as good players like Allan Preston and George Wright. I was there from age 10 to 15 and I actually broke my leg. It was nice to go back and see the pictures of that team on the wall," he recalled.

"I just wanted to give something back so it's great to have our first DM Elite partnership with Hutchie. They are one of the biggest boys clubs in the country. I will go into the kids' school on a Wednesday night. There are about six or seven games that they play with a wee bit of coaching on the side. The badge system is being implemented again where the youngsters have to do specific skills and then put them into a game to progress in the badge system

"I think it's good thing for kids because it's something for them to aim towards. I'm looking forward to trying to help the players, coaches and parents - and trying to give something back. I want to grow the DM Elite brand so it's a win-win situation for everybody."

Having worked at senior level in Scotland and England, Murray is under no illusions about where his talents are best utilised. "I know what I'm good at, which is developing young players," he said. "The majority of players I work with are boys and girls at grassroots level. I try to provide different coaching and I hope the messages they receive stand them in good stead. It's not just about football on a pitch, it's about enhancing their lives through football.

"Being selfless, having compassion and working together as a team is really important. When you build that mentality by training in groups - taking 'me' away and thinking of 'we' - we have had big success with that. Everybody makes mistakes and you need to understand that, but mistakes are really opportunities for young players to learn.

"I want kids to have a positive mental attitude so that, when they come through the gate into our sessions, they just remember to have fun. Kids love football. They want to get better, be part of a team. That goes for me as well. I want to be part of a group and that's why I'm getting involved with Hutchie Vale."