A Unique Bond: Father-Son Duo Co-Manage Street FC

Craig Laird and his son Scott are making their mark as co-managers of Street FC, a non-league club competing in the ninth tier of English football. Their unique partnership stands out in the world of sports, particularly as it is uncommon for fathers and sons to manage a team together.

The duo was appointed last month following the departure of former manager Ben Watson. Craig expressed his excitement about the opportunity, stating, “For Scott and I to be able to do this is fantastic; it’s a dream come true. Not many fathers get the chance to work alongside their sons in any profession, especially in football, so I feel incredibly proud.”

Scott, a former left-back for Preston and Stevenage, has been with Street FC for the past 18 months, serving as a player and assistant manager under Watson. Once Watson left the club earlier in the autumn, Scott immediately thought of inviting his father to join him in the managerial role. “We wanted someone who believed in our philosophy and understood how we want to play. My dad was the perfect fit,” Scott, who is now 37, shared. He added, “It’s quite special to have him on the sidelines with me.”

Football runs deep in the Laird family. Craig started his career at Plymouth Argyle and has managed various non-league teams, including Weston-super-Mare and Bridgwater Town. Scott has had a prolific career in the English Football League (EFL), most notably winning promotion to the Championship with Preston in 2015. Football talent seems to prevail in the family, as Scott’s brothers, Callum and Jamie, have also played at the non-league level, while another brother, also named Craig, played football at the university level in the United States.

Though they are early in their managerial journey—recording one win, one draw, and one loss in their first three league matches—Craig and Scott are harmonizing well in their roles. “We may have our disagreements, but right now we share a similar view of the game, and we’re aligned in our recruitment efforts,” Scott commented. “We’re working closely to bring in players that fit our vision.”

This managerial role also allows Craig to learn from Scott, creating a role reversal in their football journey. Craig remarked, “Growing up, Scott absorbed my views on how football should be played. Now, he brings his own experiences to the table, which I can learn from as well.”

For Scott, the significance of starting his managerial career alongside his father is profound. “He was there at the beginning of my career, and now at the end of my playing career and the commencement of my coaching career, it feels like a full-circle moment,” Scott reflected. “He has taught me everything I know about football.”