MOORS MERRIER FOR BOSS MARCUS
IN Marcus Bignot’s second season at Solihull Moors, he had to convince his players to take a 15 per cent pay cut of not a lot, and persuade his staff to go without a penny. Those financial bombshells – he was told there was a £30,000 hole which later turned out to be double that – led to him insisting on working on the business side of the club too. And that’s what he did. Learning about the day-today side of a Non-League football club – the catering, the bar takings, and the monthly bills. In the four years since, he’s helped turn the club into a community interest that boasts more than 30 youth teams, an academy and a disability section. On the pitch, he’s transformed them from relegation fodder to National League North champions, and sold his best striker, Omar Bogle, to Grimsby Town. Now they’re battling with the big boys in the National League. It’s no fluke. The former Kidderminster and QPR defender has done a similar job with the Birmingham City Ladies side, where he also discovered future England centurions Karen Carney and Eni Aluko. In practical terms, he took the Blues from a park side to the Champions League and, despite not being named officially as their manager, is still heavily involved. In an interview for the Women’s Football Weekly section that appeared in The NLP during the summer, he laughed that in women’s football he’s “old and grey”, but in the men’s game he’s “the new kid on the block”. Bignot has never had a contract at Moors, but he told the Birmingham Mail this week that uncertainty over his future is unsettling. He’s had talks with the board but is still waiting for an offer. When AFC Telford United came calling in 2014, he stayed loyal to the cause. Moors should put sorting a deal for one of Non-League’s brightest managers at the top of the ‘To Do list’.
MARCUS BIGNOT has asked for some assurance over his future as Solihull Moors manager as he continues to work without a contract.
The former Birmingham City Ladies boss, 42, has been in charge of the Moors for over five years and says he has never signed a deal at Damson Park.
The West Midlands outfit have progressed under Bignot, going from Step 2 relegation fodder to National League North champions after strolling to the title last season following a summer of heavy recruitment.
The club announced recently that controversial former Banbury United and Swindon Town owner Jed McCrory had joined the board of directors and Bignot is seeking some security as the Moors look to become more professional.
“I must be the only manager in this league that’s not got a contract,” he said. “At the moment I haven’t got any security. It’s unsettling.
“I’ve always worked without a contract, but the way the club is changing off the pitch I feel it’s only right I have some security. I just need to know either way.”
Solihull started the National League season – their first ever in Non-League’s top division – positively and despite a dip in form, recent draws against Lincoln City, Gateshed and Boreham Wood have given cause for optimism.
Bignot is still looking to strengthen his squad, especially in defensive areas, with captain Theo Streete still missing after picking up a knee injuryin a pre-season friendly at Barwell.
But the boss admits that there will be no extra cash available for new recruits and that current players may have to depart before he is allowed to add to his ranks.
“Hopefully we can bring in a couple of players to freshen it up and that’s what we’re working towards,” he said.
“The players are giving me everything, but hopefully we can bring in a couple of additions to give them a boost.
“I won’t be asking for any more money because I understand the business side of the football club.
“The budget is the budget and I’m working to that. I have to look at ways to generate the money to bring in players.”