Student becomes one of the youngest to manage non-league football match

A University of Suffolk student has become one of the youngest managers in non-league football.

Second-year BSc (Hons) Sport Performance Analysis student Alex Riches took charge of Lowestoft Town’s match against Mildenhall Town at the end of February.  

On the day of the Isthmian League North Division match, which Lowestoft won 2-0, Alex was aged 20 and 335 days – joining a list of other 20-year-old debut managers.   

Alex, who lives in Great Yarmouth, said: “It was a surreal moment taking charge of my first game.  

“Coming into this season, if I was told I would have an opportunity like this, I would have said ‘you’re lying!’  

“Having that buzz of a victory, and a good performance to go along with it, I couldn’t have asked for a better feeling really.” 

Alex is currently an intern at Ipswich Town Football Club, working as a goalkeeping analyst for the Under-18 and Under-21 teams.  

He added: “The internship has also been massive. Working with professional goalkeepers at Ipswich Town has taught me so many details, little and big. 

“Being able to bounce off some of the best coaches in the game has been eye-opening.” 

“The Sport Performance Analysis course has also been beneficial in building contacts with students and staff, and the modules have within the first two years have allowed me to gain new knowledge, as well as further build on my current knowledge.” 

Due to an injury at the age of 18, Alex decided to stop playing football, but instead he found a passion for the analysis of tactics. Since then, he worked for a season remotely for a Swedish Under 19 club as a match analyst and as a goalkeeper coach with Great Yarmouth Town for a season and a half.  

Dr Mikael Jamil, Senior Lecturer in Performance Analysis and Sports Science, said: “We are extremely proud to see the achievements of our students, both past and present, and Alex’s managerial debut is a strong reflection of the dedication and professionalism we seek to develop. 

“Success stories such as this highlight the value of our partnerships with organisations like Ipswich Town Football Club, which play a crucial role in providing meaningful opportunities and supporting progression within the game.” 

To find out more about BSc (Hons) Sport Performance Analysis, head to the website here.