GRIFFIN TAKES SIR BOBBY’S LEAD
CHARLIE GRIFFIN will be drawing on inspiration from the late Sir Bobby Robson as he targets progression with his Cirencester Town side in the Evo-Stik South West this season.
Ciren missed out on a play-off place on goal difference last year and former Salisbury, Stevenage and Forest Green striker Griffin is determined they put themselves in the mix again.
It was, however, a good start to life in the dug-out as he draws on those he’s played under and those he hasn’t.
“The lads learnt a lot last year and so did I,” Griffin said. “I look back on my career as a player and I was really fortunate to play under some good managers and with good players.
“From my first manager at Chippenham, Tommy Saunders, to John Gorman, Jimmy Quinn and Graham Westley. I played under Gary Owers, Jim Harvey and Dave Hockaday was good with his coaching methods so you learn loads, how to look after players and speak to them.
“There was something on the BBC during the World Cup with Bobby Robson’s wife speaking about his 12 important things of being a manager. Every time we play I look at that because you’ve got to understand players, be gracious if you get beat and if you win not get carried away.
“So it was a good first season, we’ve added to it, the club has an academy now and the future looks bright. I just want to get them back to where they were.”
Left-back Louis Spalding, 19, has signed following his release from Swindon along with midfielder Jack Freeman and ex-Forest Green man Jordan Morris, while Tommy Anderson, who was on loan from Forest Green, has signed permanently.
And there’s also been the welcome news of keeping 47-goal striker Ben Whitehead.
“There’s been enquiries for him but he’s only 23 and he knows there is a bigger picture,” Griffin said. “It’s got to be right for Ben if he does move on. He’s ambitious, which I am for the club, but at the minute he’s signed with us for the new season.
“As I’ve said to him, this year he’s a marked man. People will know more about Ben so we’ve got to work harder to help him and see if we can get better than what we did last year. With the rest of the lads we’ve got a great group who want to learn.”
Outside of last season’s top three, Ciren scored the most goals but Griffin wants his side to be more ruthless in defence after they missed out on a play-off spot by a goal difference of seven.
Griffin, left, is happy with the platform and with the club on the up following the instalment of a 3G pitch, hopes are high.
“It’s going to be tough because the teams are all going to be fighting for the same sort of positions,” he said. “We’ve got to maximise and make sure we hit the ground running.”