Trevor still driving force behind Becks

Elvin King

FORMER Ipswich driving school instructor Trevor James remains a key figure at David Beckham's MSL club Los Angeles Galaxy.

James assists first team coach Ruud Gullit as well as being in charge of player development at the most high profile USA football club.

A former youth player with Ipswich Town, James originally went to Galaxy on the invitation of ex-Ipswich defender Frank Yallop, who was then first team coach.

He was Yallop's assistant from June 2006 until the former Canadian international departed Galaxy last November.

James took over as interim head coach, leading the club in a couple of pre-season friendlies, and under Gullit he assists with first team coaching, match day preparations and team and player scouting.

In addition, he is also director of player development, overseeing the club's official youth development programme.

The Under-15 and Under-18 teams began training under James' control last October, and James oversees all aspects of the youth development teams' creation and development.

James is Galaxy's longest-serving coach, having began his career with Ipswich in 1975 before joining Viking Stavangar in Norway in 1978.

He was involved with Colchester United on a part time basis, doubling up as a driving instructor at the same time.

The 49-year old, who was born in Norwich, first went to the US in 1984 to conclude his career with the Los Angeles Lazers of the Major Indoor Soccer League.

A year later he moved into the coaching ranks working with Ipswich, Colchester and Cambridge United before linking up with Yallop and re-crossing the Atlantic.

James holds coaching licenses from US Soccer, UEFA and the Football Association where he was on the coaching education staff.

He is the founding director of School Of Soccer, USA; a youth soccer coaching school in the Los Angeles area, which is run by his wife Tiffany.