Old Bonaventurian and successful former professional Footballer and Football Manager Martin Ling came back into school today to visit and spentĀ time with students.
West Ham born Martin has enjoyed a successful career playing professionally for Exeter City, Swindon Town, Southend United, Leyton Orient and Brighton and Hove Albion. He went on to become a Football Manager and worked at Leyton Orient, Cambridge United, Torquay United and Swindon Town.
Curriculum Leader for PE, Mr Bartlett, invited Martin in. Mr Bartlett is an alumnus of St Bon’s himself.
Martin, 50, spent time congratulating our Year 8 football team on their 4 – 0 win against City Heights Academy on Wanstead Flats yesterday, November 3, and was happy to pose for a group photo with the excited boys.
Martin joined St Bon’s in 1977 and left in 1982 and spent time looking around school before going into the Sports Hall to coach a Year 10 class who were having a PE lesson. His expertise and knowledge of the game was invaluable and he really encouraged the boys, spending time chatting to them.
Afterwards, Martin was amused to find his name entry still in one of the school’s old Admissions Record Register along with his old school chums and was given a copy of the record and a school mug.
Mr Bartlett added: “He said lots of old memories came flooding back walking around school and that whilst things have changed somewhat he could still recall his schooldays as a lot of the classrooms in St Antony’s building are just as they were.”
Martin will be returning to conduct masterclasses in the near future.
