Peacock: “Award Was One Of My Career Highlights”

John Peacock says being inducted into the Football Association’s coaching Hall of Fame is one of the highlights of his career.

John Peacock says being inducted into the Football Association’s coaching Hall of Fame is one of the highlights of his career.

Derby County’s First Team Coach, who is 59, was one of four new inductees announced during Sunday’s FA Coaching Awards event at St. George’s Park.

Peacock previously worked at the FA as National Coach, Head of Coaching and England Under-17 Head Coach, as well as Head of Elite Senior Coach Development, in two spells between 1990-1998 and 2002-2015.

He became part of Paul Clement’s backroom team in June and was also given a specially-produced international cap to mark overseeing over 100 games at UEFA Youth International level as a coach.

In his time at The FA, Peacock led the England Under 17 side to two European Championship titles in 2010 and 2014.

He told Rams Player HD: “It was a special night when you consider how long I spent at the Football Association, over two spells, with some fantastic people.

“To get the recognition, in front of them, was a wonderful feeling and some of the memories, both good and bad, came flooding back.

“I had a great journey with some of those people in the room and sometimes you need some adversity to make you enjoy the good times - and we certainly had that.

“It was a real surprise as well to go into the Hall of Fame - I just thought I was coming down as a guest to enjoy the evening with my wife!

“This is one of the highlights of my career, without any doubt, and it is really special.”

Peacock’s experience and coaching credentials were one of the key reasons why Clement brought him to Derby so soon after his arrival in the summer.

Clement was also honoured at the Coaching Awards by claiming the Senior First Team Coach of the Year accolade.

Peacock says, in his first management role, Clement is evolving all the time and he feels he has tackled the responsibility well.

He said: “The award is a great accolade for Paul and I think he is doing really well.

“I’ve seen him evolve and he is holding himself in high regard - he is going about things in the right way.

“He is making a good job of being in charge at a top club in Derby County; he has a great relationship with everyone and it’s a very good environment to work in.”

Derby have won 10 and drawn three of their last 14 games in the Sky Bet Championship and sit on the edge of the automatic promotion places in third spot.

Peacock says although the side are in a good moment he insists that everyone’s eyes are fixed on the long term goal over the course of the 46-game season.

“We are doing well right now but we know it is a long process and we are fixed on where we want to get to,” he said.

“We are moving in the right direction and Paul keeps raising the bar for the players and the response every time has been fantastic.

“Even when the results weren’t what we wanted early on we kept doing the right things with the belief things would turn, which they have.”