Elton steps down as Fort Payne coach

Phil Elton didn’t want to do it, but real world demands simply forced his hand.

Elton announced recently he’s stepping down as Fort Payne High School’s girls soccer coach after five years. Elton, a non-faculty coach, said other responsibilities led to the decision.

“The primary reason was the increasing demands of my day job made it impossible to devote to the program the time it deserves,” he said. “Not only do I love soccer, but I love the girls. It has been the most emotional decision I have ever made.”

Elton led Fort Payne to four league titles and one state Final Four appearance during his tenure, and the number of Final Four trips could have easily been quadrupled. Fort Payne suffered to 2-1 losses in the second round of sub-state to Arab in 2010, Briarwood Christian in 2012 and Athens in 2013.

Elton’s 2013 squad saved its best soccer for the end of the season, winning three one-goal decisions — including two that went to penalty kick shootouts — in a span of four days to set itself up for an area championship. The Lady Cats then defeated Hartselle 2-1 in the first round of sub-state.

“This season has been my proudest moment as a coach with the program,” he said. “This year, I saw new-found belief and self-motivation and a fighting spirit. I saw the re-emergence of the mindset of a champion, which is, of course, a vital ingredient to our future success.”

In his rookie year of 2009, Elton led Fort Payne to its first Final Four appearance in five years. The Lady Cats defeated Athens in a semifinal before falling to St. Paul’s in the championship match.

“When I look back at that year, I always think about how little I knew about the 5A high school girls program,” Elton said. “So, I went into that year clueless but fearless. That allowed us to express ourselves.

“We had the lost the entire defense to graduation, and I think the level of expectation was slightly lower, which relieved some of the pressure. My first two games were 10-0 and 9-0 losses to 6A schools … but the team was amazing and showed improvement, and we made the championship game against all odds.”

Fort Payne Principal Brian Jett praised the outgoing coach.

“I hate to lose to Coach Elton,” Jett said. “I thought he brought a lot of knowledge and experience to the girls side of soccer. I wish him the very best.

“We’re going to do our very best to try to find someone with high quality experience that has knowledge of the game and a passion for working with women’s sports.”

Elton oversees Fort Payne’s youth program and plans to continue in that position.

He would also like to get more involved with travel soccer.

“It’s my intent to coach a Fort Payne-based U-13 travel team on an annual basis to prepare players for the 11 vs. 11 high school [competition] they will not yet have been exposed to.” he said.

Youngsters play eight-on-eight until reaching the U-12 division. Elton said he would like to field one boys and one girls travel team.