Trevor Dwyer-Lynch is a coaching legend at Manchester United and a former Coronation Street favourite, but after he suffered heartbreaking tragedy, he turned to a new sport – padel
Trevor Dwyer-Lynch built his life on football after more than 20 years coaching at Manchester United. But after grief, injury and a loss of purpose, it was a lesser-known, emerging sport – and a local club in Stockport -that helped him overcome his “dark moments”.
The 67-year-old has spent his entire adult life in motion. Born between Moss Side and Salford, the self‑described ‘Mosfordian’ boxed, played squash and chased a football wherever he could find it. By his mid‑thirties, he was on the staff at both Manchester United and Manchester City, guiding local youngsters toward professional futures.
Acting ran alongside coaching for Dwyer-Lynch, with work on stage and a run in his home city’s famous soap Coronation Street, playing Patrick, the Streetcars cabbie, for several years. The mix of training pitches and film sets gave him identity, structure and constant adrenaline – until it was knocked off course.
He said: “As an actor, you have to supplement your income when you’re not working. I was lucky enough to work in City and United’s Community, Centre of Excellence and Academy programmes – just a spoke in the development wheel for plenty of lads who went on to play professionally and internationally.”
A full knee replacement ended his acting coaching days, and by 64, he required a full titanium knee replacement. “I had to stop coaching because I couldn’t be as active on the pitch as I wanted,” he explained. Losing that daily rhythm left a hole, and grief soon deepened it. “Then my son passed away,” he added, quietly. “I couldn’t be bothered doing anything.”
No team-talks to give, no match days, no whistle-blown mornings, Dwyer-Lynch’s life-long outlet had disappeared as he grieved Jordan, 41. It was at that point he stumbled across padel – the fast-growing doubles racket sport that blends squash and tennis.
“I heard about it, Googled it and thought it looked interesting. A mate of mine was going to play and I said I’d go with him.” One session was enough. “Straight away, I loved it,” he added. “I play four or five times a week now. My mates call me a padel nerd – I’m forever watching games online, learning new techniques.”
Padel offered everything the star of Emmerdale, The Bill, Casualty, Peak Practice and The Royal had lost: movement without impact on his knee, a fixed timetable, and – crucially – people.
The beauty of padel is that it’s a very social game. The rallies are short, the chat constant, the post-match coffee automatic. “Padel has been a great distraction for me. Being with the lads and having a bit of banter helps me stay out of dark moments.”
It was at his club of choice, the newly opened, community-focused Soul Padel in Stockport, that Dwyer-Lynch noticed plenty of over-50s turning up but no sessions specifically built for their pace.
Dwyer-Lynch and a handful of senior padel players took it upon themselves and suggested a dedicated slot. “There are loads of us now,” he told club staff. “Sometimes we’re playing 20-year-olds – we’re giving away 80 years between us!”
The idea became Soul Timers – Stockport’s first over-50s padel programme that lets players set their own pace while still scratching that competitive itch. But aren’t over-50s better suited for sports like golf or bowls? Dwyer-Lynch can’t help but laugh at the suggestion.
He jokes he has “given the golf clubs away” because padel’s the only sport that keeps him genuinely active: two quick steps, a swing, a laugh – repeated for 90 minutes.
The Soul Timers meet a couple of times a week, and those fixtures anchor their routine and lift their mood. The court’s easygoing vibe lets the group bond through rallies and friendly digs – no soul-searching needed.
Padel also beats the elitism Dwyer-Lynch sometimes felt in traditional racket sports. “I’ve played tennis at clubs where, as soon as you walk in, you get that ‘What are you doing here?’ feeling,” he said. “Let’s look at tennis and the LTA – it’s still not really a diverse sport.”
At Soul Padel, he plays with doctors, bricklayers, students and retirees from every background: “No one cares where you’re from. You’ve got a racket, you’re in.”
Ask if the Soul Timers could humble the current United squad, and Dwyer-Lynch snorts. “No. They play a lot at the Trafford Centre and they’re very good.” But he reckons the seniors would still make the pros sweat – and probably out-banter them.
Dwyer-Lynch’s message is simple: if age, injury or loneliness have pushed you to the sidelines, give padel a go. You don’t need to be fit or sporty – it’s easy to learn, low-impact on joints and driven by enjoyment rather than pure fitness. It rebuilds routine, sparks friendships and quietens low mood.
“But be very careful,” he added with a grin. “Because you become addicted.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
