I was buzzing to get the job says top boss
CAERNARFON Town boss Sean Eardley has just been named Huws Gray Alliance Sportjam Manager of the Month for December and January.
And the award is totally deserved for a man who has lost just once in 10 matches under his managership since taking over at The Oval in November.
Three months into his tenure with the Canaries, Eardley did a question and answer session on his progress.
Caernarfon are four points clear at the top of the HGA ahead of this Saturday’s trip to FC Queen’s Park.
I was a little shocked at first, I remember sitting down in the board meeting with Fish (Richard Davies - assistantmanager) and the chairman asked me to take over until the end of the season originally, I’d barely sat down!
On the way home I was buzzing though and excited for the challenge ahead, not to mention honoured to lead such a big club within the Welsh system.
How important did you feel it was to ensure that Richard Davies and Mike Innes stayed on with you as part of the management team?
Very, I wanted to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Originally Rich was in the board meeting with me and I contacted Mike the following day so they were both aware of the positions I wanted them to take up. They have been brilliant on the football side and become great friends off the field.
What have you found to be the main differences in stepping up from assistant-manager to being in the hot seat?
Obviously your responsibilities increase, I’ve maybe become a little more serious but not changed too much as that’s not me, what you see is what you get.
I take it upon myself to greet everyone on a matchday, everyone has a crucial role to play in moving the club forward and everyone is as important as each other. Win, lose or draw I like to keep the players out of the spotlight as we dissect the game as a group then I’ll see the media guys to speak about the game itself, knowing the players have had their say.
The players have been unbelievable. I received messages off every single player when I took over wishing me the best and I’ll never forget that.
I’ve got to know the players more on a personal level and I know that if things are good in work and at home they excel on the football pitch, so that balance is crucial.
As a group no stone is left unturned, we are honest post-match and in training if there are any issues, a line is drawn and it’s down to business again. They’re fantastic to work with every week to be fair.
I’ll always remember my first game in charge for as long as I live.
Being 3-0 down at Airbus at half time was disastrous, but we showed fantastic character to claw our way back in the game to a 3-3 draw, and we followed that up with wins against a tough Holywell side and WPL team Barry Town in the Welsh Cup, with 1,100 in attendance. We had a good December, with over 1,200 in attendance for the Boxing Day win against Porthmadog, then the mettle was tested as we came from behind in three games to salvage draws, but it proved our never say die attitude and fantastic spirit as we never gave in.
We’ve had suspensions and injuries like any other team, but we’ve found a way to get points on the board and we look forward to the run in. ● For the full version of this interview log on to: www.caernarfontown.co.uk