Iffy goes Pro

Talking to the FA website, he explained: "I can't think of anything I didn't enjoy. I spent most of the year out of work, so it was a good chance for me to stay in touch with everyone through this course.

"There's different elements to it, and it's always thought provoking and stimulating. At some point every aspect of everyone's job has been relevant. Someone like Steve Rutter with his FA hat on will obviously have relevant things to say about tournament football that a club manager might not have dealt with. Someone with the youth hat on will have something different to offer in discussion. So at some point you touch on all those experiences and I'm far richer for that."

As well as picking up valuable coaching experience, Iffy's time on the course also gave him the opportunity to meet and interact with many other Football League coaches who were also studying for the licence.

"Until you meet people in person they're just a name, but coming here I've been fortunate to interact with so many people who work at a high level in football. It's invaluable to be able to phone someone for advice, knowing them and being able to speak to them about anything."

Both Iffy and manager Ronnie Jepson now hold UEFA Pro licences, and the former Gills striker is looking forward to the new season - and an improved way of playing.

"It has been great. All three of us [Iffy, Ronnie Jepson and Mick Docherty] have the same sort of ideas on how the game should be played.

"We all want to play in the right areas and don`t just want to boom it."

Which should be music to the ears of Gills fans everywhere.

Congratulations to Iffy and we wish him all the best for the coming season with the Gills.