In the spotlight - Riteesh Mishra CAWFC

In the spotlIght RIteesh MIshRA, CAWFC MAnAgeR

Riteesh Mishra CAWFC Manager Under the guidance of manager Riteesh Mishra, Charlton Athletic Women who are sponsored by the BiKBBI, are enjoying a thoroughly successful debut season in the FA Women's Championship. Mishra has helped steer the ‘Addicks’ to the upper echelons of the table with just six league fixtures remaining.

So, with the season reaching its climax, we sat down with the ‘gaffer’ to get a unique insight of what it’s like to be involved in professional sport and how he came to be working with the South East London club. He began by telling us about his earliest memories of the sport: “I grew up living in a house with three uncles, my Granddad, and my Father, who all loved sport, so I wasn’t exposed to just football but a lot of sports from a young age.

When nine, I attended an open trial for Notts County who at the time, had a really good reputation for its centre of excellence and so as my trial proved successful, I signed for them. I stayed with the club for three years but in truth, I didn't enjoy the last year there. I couldn't put my finger on why, but I seem to have lost the fun factor, and it showed in my performances, subsequently, Notts County released me that season.

I then spent a full season playing for my school and local side and we had a great team who won everything that year, and it was exactly what I needed as it was a season to enjoy playing again. I ended up getting a lot of attention from the local clubs once more, but it was Nottingham Forest who showed the most interest and at 14 I decided to join them, where I stayed for nearly seven seasons.”

Following a valuable 7 year development period with Forest, Mishra opted to move north of the border to Scotland showing his desire to keep maturing in the sport.

“I had some great years at Forest, probably my most important as it’s where I learnt my values and benefitted from some of the best possible coaching; however, I also discovered how ruthless it can be at the elite level. I was suddenly surplus to requirements, and subsequently I trialled at a whole host of clubs. 

Unfortunately, injuries hampered his career as a player and he explained to us the challenges which he was forced to overcome during long spells on the sidelines.

“Sadly, it happens to so many players, lengthy injuries are very tough as you feel like you lose your identity and purpose, and you are no longer seen as a player with the capabilities that you had before.

It initially made me feel quite resentful to others and what they were achieving ahead of me and at that age, you don't open up and talk to people, instead, you just try to get on with things and looking back, I feel that was the wrong thing to do. It made me become quite insular and I struggled really with my purpose and it was hard going in every morning, knowing I was not training or playing. In all honesty, I don't know what level I could have gone on to play at; I certainly don't think at the top, but at the time before I got injured, I had belief that I would, but now looking at the graduates around me at the time, most are either no longer playing, or, at the other extreme, some are competing in the Premier League!

As a young man it was hard to watch players leave you behind in their development whilst you are stuck in rehab, really hard. However, with hindsight and maturity, and especially as a Manager and Coach, I can now look back and think that it helped me positively in other ways.” 

I never actually set out to venture into women's football. I had finished my B License and therefore wanted to coach as much as I could.”

We asked Mishra what his next steps were: “Being Scottish, I trained with a few clubs north of the border and I was also offered a number of scholarships in the States to play and take a degree, which was something I seriously considered but eventually, I decided to do the something similar closer to home at Stirling University with Mike Jolley (now Grimsby Town Manager), and decided to try and stay within the game in the UK by taking up coaching.”

Back in 2014, Mishra began his journey with Charlton Athletic as he made the transition into women’s football. He explained to us how the opportunity came about to make the switch from men’s game into women’s. “I never actually set out to venture into women's football. I had finished my B License and therefore wanted to coach as much as I could. I had moved down to London and was doing a lot of voluntary coaching within boys academies mainly.

I sent my CV to the boys set up and I think it got sent on to the women's team at Charlton. Out of the blue, I got asked to support as an assistant to Kim Dixson the club captain for the first team, and it intrigued me. So, I gave it a go, and have been here ever since. I have been pretty fortunate, and I know that as it's been quite a steep learning curve and so. I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity and to those who have given me a chance.” 

I have been pretty fortunate, and I know that as it's been quite a steep learning curve and so. I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity and to those who have given me a chance.”

Having played and coached at a high level of both men and women’s football, we asked Mishra to give us a unique insight to the differences between the two. “To be frank, there is a lot of difference, but the thing that stands out the most for me is the structure. Having been brought up in one of the best academies in the country, I saw everyday what professionalism was and what quality looked like behind the scenes. I think women's football is now getting much better with the introduction of RTC's and changes to the women's pyramid.

There's still a lot more to do of course but those of us who are involved have a duty to keep improving the level of professionalism and to try and produce better players and people for the future. We strive to do this here at Charlton every day.”#

The Addicks play in the FA Women’s Championship after winning the league and play-off last season to gain promotion. So how the professional divisions compare?

“The quality has not surprised me, I knew it would be a big step up from last season but we are coping well, and yet we realise that there is an even bigger difference between tier 2 and tier 1 (Women’s Super League), which hopefully will reach in time.”

So what did you do to ensure that you weren’t overawed? “This season we have tried to repeat all the good things that we applied last season but with improvement as we are playing against better players and management. We are learning this season that 

Be open-minded and be prepared to be inspired. I have learnt so much more than I thought I could from females, both as players and people. Their stories are often inspiring and they have challenged my thinking of society and life.”

the margins are much smaller. Especially since Christmas as we have been punished for unnecessary mistakes that we have made and this is going to take some time for everyone to understand.

With women’s football enjoying a hugely successful rise over recent years, Mishra offered us his advice for anyone considering becoming more involved in the women’s game.

“Be open-minded and be prepared to be inspired. I have learnt so much more than I thought I could from females, both as players and people. Their stories are often inspiring and they have challenged my thinking of society and life. My advice to anyone following a similar path it to avoid bringing any pre-conceptions or you may not be able to see the true talent of the people involved. Women's football is growing, it is not a finished product by any means and so people should not expect it to be, rather, they should want to come in and help improve the people within it and its structure.”

Following a spell with the club’s Under 16s, Mishra eventually managed to earn his opportunity to step up to first-team. Speaking about how he has managed to reach the level which he is at today, he told us: “I think hard work is a part of it. I've always been fully prepared in everything I do and I try to make sure that what I do is reflected in my behaviour. I know I have also been lucky with the opportunities that have come before me and will never forget the people who have taken a chance on me. Importantly, I have been able to grow myself throughout my time here. I don't think people realise how much I actually learn and take from others including the players and staff here. I think hard work has definitely and luck has created opportunity for me. So far it has worked out well, albeit with a few hurdles along the way of course.”

However, the women’s side isn’t the only focus for Mishra, who alongside coaching the women also holds down two other jobs. He passionately spoke to us about the challenges of dualcareering.

Mishra has grown to be a very successful and popular figure during his five years at the Valley. He has the respect of staff, players and fans throughout the club and we look forward to periodically checking out Mishra and his team’s journey.