Colum Curtis Explained

Colum Curtis
Fullname:Colum Curtis
Birth Date:21 October 1989
Birth Place:Belfast, Northern Ireland
Clubs1:Cliftonville
Clubs2:Donegal Celtic
Clubs3:Glentoran
Clubs4:Knockbreda
Clubs5:Ards
Manageryears1:2019
Manageryears2:2020–2021
Managerclubs2:Visakha FC
Manageryears3:2023-2024
Managerclubs3:Kaya–Iloilo
Youthclubs1:Lisburn Youth
Youthclubs2:Manchester United
Youthclubs3:Notts County
Clubs6:Loughgall

Colum Curtis is a Northern Irish football manager who is last known to have managed Visakha. Besides Northern Ireland, he has managed in Cambodia.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

Early life, playing career and education

Curtis was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on October 21, 1989. He attended St. Mary’s Christian Brothers Grammar School.  

In his youth, Curtis played as a central midfielder or winger for Lisburn Youth and attended Manchester United’s Academy from the ages of 9 to 15. Following his release from Manchester United, Colum made the move to Notts County in 2008, where he stayed for one season before returning to Belfast after the club was facing financial difficulty. Colum began coaching at his local grassroots club Immaculata F.C. He combined his coaching with his playing career, Colum represented his country at the U18 level and represented Northern Ireland in the 2013 and 2015 UEFA Regions Cup. He had spells with Cliftonville, Donegal Celtic FC, Glentoran FC, Knockbreda FC, Ards FC, and Loughgall FC before retiring at the age of 25 to take up a Full-Time coaching role in China.

Curtis began his UEFA Pro License in June 2021 and completed in November 2022.[8]

Managerial career

PKR Svay Rieng

Curtis was then appointed as the Assistant Coach to Connor Nestor at Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC in 2019, where he helped guide the club to the 2019 Metfone C-League championship.

At the end of the season, Curtis was unable to agree terms and parted ways with the club.

Visakha FC

Not long after, Visakha FC signed Curtis as Head Coach on a two-year deal for the 2020 campaign, where he won the Hun Sen Cup, in a convincing 2-0 victory over Nagaworld Fc in the final. This was the club's first major trophy.[9] During his tenure, Colum brought in marquee signings in the form of Canadian International, Marcus Haber, veteran Cambodian player Thierry Bin, and seasoned English journeyman Charlie Machell.

In 2021, Curtis’s Visakha team began to make headlines for their possession-based attacking style of play. He parted ways with the club, despite Visakha being at the top of the league.[10]

Kaya–Iloilo

In August 2023, Curtis was appointed as head coach of Philippines Football League club Kaya–Iloilo.[11]

Honours

PKR Svay Rieng

Visakha FC

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Meet Colum Curtis: Belfast's New Manager In Cambodian Football. balls.ie.
  2. Web site: Meet Colum Curtis, the West Belfast coach relishing his first managerial job 7,000 miles from home. belfastlive.co.uk.
  3. Web site: Who is Colum Curtis?. khmernights.com.
  4. Web site: Interview with Colum Curtis. khmertimeskh.com.
  5. Web site: Belfast native Colum Curtis is history maker after leading Visakha FC to cup glory in Cambodia. belfastlive.co.uk.
  6. Web site: អតីតគ្រូបង្វឹកវិសាខា Colum Curtis ខកចិត្តរឿងមួយ មុនចាកចេញពីកម្ពុជា. freshnewsasia.com.
  7. Web site: ៥សំនួរជាមួយលោក Colum Curtis ក្រោយក្រុមវិសាខា ឈរកំពូលតារាងបណ្ដោះអាសន្ន. troryorng.com.
  8. Web site: 2021-03-28 . Visakha coach accepted into UEFA Pro Licence programme - Khmer Times . 2023-05-02 . en-US.
  9. Web site: From Black's Road to cup glory in Phnom Penh - the future is bright for Colum Curtis. irishnews.com.
  10. Web site: 2021-09-27 . C- League: Visakha abruptly parts ways with Irish head coach - Khmer Times . 2023-05-02 . en-US.
  11. News: Co . Adrian Stewart . Kaya-Iloilo taps new coach, players . 11 August 2023 . Panay News . 11 August 2023.