Belfast boxer ready to take football club 'to new level' after landing new role
The 31-year-old is relishing the challenge with club close to his heart
Belfast boxer Sean McComb is aiming high after landing a new role with his local football club. The 31-year-old has been added to the coaching team at St James' Swifts.
McComb has a long association with the club, and is still registered as a player. Now he aims to bring his wealth of knowledge from boxing and the fitness industry into his new backroom position.
He told Belfast Live: "Big Soap (Eamonn McCarthy, first-team manager) came to me and asked me to come in and help him with some coaching, in terms of strength and conditioning. I have a bit of knowledge of football, too, and I know all the lads, having played alongside them.
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"That was it, really. They approached me and asked, and I said yes. I love the club, and have played for them for over 10 years. I am still signed to play next season, if my boxing schedule permits.
"I want to see the club going forward. And I believe the lads have a different respect for me than any other coach coming on board. They respect what I say and what I do, and I believe I will get the best out of them. I respect them, too. It is a two-way street."
McComb has watched the growth of St James' Swifts, from its early formation as a seven-a-side team to keep kids off the streets, to its current position in the Ballymena and Provincial League.
"St James' Swifts has only been affiliated since 2011 or so, and they have grown so much over the years. It is a special club, and ambitious. And it is the community that makes it. Everyone gets behind the club," he added.
"Big Limbo (Damien) Lindsay started the club initially as a seven-a-side thing to keep us kids out of trouble. And then the numbers kept growing and they ended up putting two teams into the league.
"We then entered the Belfast and District Football League and we won it the first year we had an 11-a-side team. And it has snowballed since then.
READ MORE: Sean McComb explains how he was put in straitjacket by police a day after controversial Madison Square Garden defeatREAD MORE: Sean McComb breaks silence following controversial defeat in New York"We have had tough times as well. There were a few times the club was ready to fold, but the lads rallied together and kept it going. Everyone cares for the club, and we persevered.
"It has grown from strength to strength, and now we are in the Ballymena and Intermediate League and we are attracting some quality players. I believe big Soap, Jim McMenamin and myself, along with the players, can really push on next season.
"This could be our most successful year, and I back them all the way."
St James' Swifts have attracted some former Irish League stars in recent years, including former Cliftonville title winner Ryan Catney and ex-Cliftonville and Portadown defender Garry Breen who joined the club last year.
"The likes of Garry coming here attracts other top players. They see the ambition we have," McComb added.
"The club is in talks with some top names at the minute, so it is exciting. It is a good experience for me. I am confident, and I won't be winging it.
"Everything will be planned on my end to make sure things go well."
McComb - who last fought in April when suffering a controversial points loss to Arnold Barboza Jr - remains undecided whether he will play next season. It will depend on his boxing schedule, with the super-lightweight hoping to return to the ring in September.
Before that he is getting married this summer, and will then enjoy a short honeymoon before getting back to the gym.
"I am looking to fight around September. If I do, then I will probably play up to Christmas. But it all depends," he added.
"I would still like to play for St James at some stage of the season, and help out on the pitch. But obviously I can't jeopardise my boxing plans."
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