Ex-Grove boss’ new challenge
Wayne Grant is looking forward to the ‘new challenge’ of managing in the Wessex League.
Less than a fortnight after his shock decision to resign as Paulsgrove boss, Grant has been unveiled as Infinity’s third permanent manager in a year after Gary Wheatcroft and Mark Dugan.
That was after Grant had received a phone call from Infinity owner Jody Hoare asking if he would be interested in returning to the Wessex, having previously played in it for Horndean and Petersfield.
‘I probably wouldn’t have applied for it,’ Grant conceded. ‘I was looking to take some time out, spend some family time.
‘But the kids are going back to school and the more I thought about it, the more it appealed. It was a challenge that I could get my teeth into.
‘It’s another project they’ve got the new ground being built at Wickham - that’s what appealed the most.
‘I’ll be challenging myself. I had a good record at Paulsgrove, we were a top two side for my duration there.’
On his decision to leave Paulsgrove, where he had been in charge since the start of 2019/20, Grant said: ‘It was a really tough decision to be honest - my heart will always be at the Grove.
‘But it wasn’t just the 90 minutes on a Saturday - it was getting to the ground at 10am and not knowing what you’ll find (regarding possible vandalism).
‘I told Jody I wanted more family time, and Infinity
have more of a structure in place they have people to help out behind the scenes.
‘The volunteers at grassroots level are so, so important - and they are the ones that always go unnoticed. The people that wash the kit, the tea ladies - people that give up their time for free.’
Grant has brought in Lee Jones - a close friend of his with ‘a wealth of football knowledge’ - to help out at Infinity.
‘If Lee feels I’m getting stressed about something, he’ll give me a slap to get me back into shape!’ the boss quipped.
Grant takes over an Infinity side third from bottom of the Wessex Division 1. Having won their opening step 6 game 2-0 at East Cowes, they have lost their last four - scoring just three times and conceding 15. In their last three matches they have lost 3-0 at home to Millbrook and Verwood and 4-0 at Ash United.
Infinity were at AFC Portchester last night in the Hampshire Senior Cup. Grant was there but was not callling all the shots.
‘I know some of the players, but some I don’t know. It will probably take five to six weeks to get to know everyone,’ he outlined.
Asked if he will return to Paulsgrove in a bid to sign players for Infinity, Grant replied: ‘Who knows?
‘Certainly not to start with, as I want to give all the players currently at the club a chance, even the ones not playing - everyone’s got a different opinion.’
Hoare said: ‘The stars aligned on this one.
‘Wayne had left Paulsgrove and we were looking for a new manager.
‘We’d had about 10 or 11 applications but we knew we had to get the right person in.
‘We need stability and continuity - we’ve had so many managers the players don’t know if they’re coming or going.
‘I’ve known Wayne for a while. We’re similar people - determined to do well for our clubs. I know it was a grudge match when we played Paulsgrove because we were both at the top, but I always got on well with Wayne before and after games.’
Reflecting on Infinity’s Wessex League start, Hoare added: ‘No disrespect to those who played, but the game we won (at East Cowes) was probably the weakest side we’ve fielded. We have played better since and lost.
‘I’ll probably get slated for saying it, but I haven’t seen a side wanting to get it down and play. I know Millbrook like to play but I didn’t see that game. There’s been a lot of long ball rather than getting it down on the deck.
‘We like to get it on the deck and play, but so far it hasn’t been working - whether that’s down to personnel or tactics we’ll soon find out.
‘Hopefully with Wayne we will hit the ground running, but realistically it will take a few weeks before we see the fruits of his labour.
Grant’s first Wessex 1 game is at Whitchurch this Saturday with a trip to Baffins Milton Rovers next Tuesday in the Wessex League Cup.