‘Danny’s new role didn’t surprise me’
Hawks boss tips Kedwell to be a managerial success
Danny Kedwell will prove a success after taking his first step into management at Cray Wanderers.
That's the verdict of the striker's former manager and friend Paul Doswell, who has spent the past two pandemichit National League South seasons working with the ex-Gillingham and AFC Wimbledon ace at Hawks.
Kedwell, 37, has been appointed player-manager at Isthmian League Premier Division Cray.
Doswell believes the level he reached as a player will ensure he has the immediate respect of the dressing room at Bromley-based Cray.
Doswell said: ‘It’s a great first job for him. Cray are a good club and I think the chairman has got big plans for a big stadium and other bits and pieces down there.
‘It’s an area that he knows well as well, it’s local to him, he’ll know the players around that area as well.
‘I’ve got no doubt in my mind that he’ll be a success.
‘I think he’ll be a very good manager. I know that he’ll demand a lot from his players.
‘I’ve known him for a long, long time and it doesn’t surprise me as he’s always had it in him to want to continue in football.
‘We had a really nice chat for around an hour on Saturday and I think it’s a really good move for him.
‘Danny has been in some big dressing rooms at Gillingham and Wimbledon - he’ll have instant respect from players because he’s played at a really good level - he’s also carried on playing until 36 and 37.
‘Ultimately, he’ll get instant respect because of the level that he’s already been at and rightly so.’
Doswell has long known the striker after coming up against him during his time as Sutton boss, and he says the pair are similar in terms of their football 'obsession'.
And Doswell would be more than happy to offer help whenever he can as Kedwell takes the leap into management.
Doswell added: ‘He’s forever out watching games. He’s always out with his son taking him to Charlton to watch how Charlton do it.
He’s very much like me, sort of obsessed with football. ‘It’s something which didn’t surprise me. I’ve known Danny for donkey’s years, he played against me at Sutton for years but he’s just a great lad. He’s football mad, he’s a very good coach as well - people don’t know that - but he does a lot of coaching up to the under-16s with his academy at Ebbsfleet which is going very well.
‘We all go through those two or three games on the trot (without winning). When you’re a manager it’s always nice to have someone on the other end of the phone that’s experienced the highs and lows in the job.
‘He’s a mate of mine so I’ve got no issues with helping him whatsoever, I’d love to help him.’
Ultimately, he’ll get instant respect because of the level he’s already been at
Paul Doswell