BOBBY’S MISSING TROUBLE & STRIFE
‘Save my marriage’, jokes Wilko
BOBBY Wilkinson joked he fears for his marriage if he doesn’t return to management soon!
The passionate boss left Wealdstone in May after guiding them into the National League South play-offs and is now itching to get back in the dugout.
“I’m missing it like crazy,” Wilkinson told The NLP after stepping down to look after his poorly son. “He had an infection in his eye which started going towards the brain and had to have emergency surgery. It was scary times last season and the recovery was quite a while. It took its toll on me a bit and I just wanted a couple months away from football. I didn’t think I’d miss it as much as I am.
“When my brother passed away I went to football that day. I’ve never forgiven myself for that because you’ve got to be with your family when they need you. The problem is I get so driven into my football; you don’t want to let your chairman down. I needed to bring it back to family come first.
“But I think my wife’s going to divorce me if I don’t get back in the dugout eventually!
“I think the kids are bored of me being around now, but I have been watching a lot of games.”
Wilkinson spent two seasons at Wealdstone, taking over from legendary boss Gordon Bartlett in August 2017 and led the Stones to the FA Trophy semi-finals the same year.
A late run for the play-offs last season saw them into seventh, where they won at Bath City before losing in the semi-finals to eventual winners Woking.
Challenge
It was the sixth time he has reached the play-offs in the last nine campaigns following a successful seven-year spell at Hungerford Town where he won two promotions.
“I’ve got nothing bad to say about Wealdstone but thank them for two great years,” he said. “I feel like I achieved at both football clubs, now I’m ready for a new challenge.
“I don’t mind where I have to work, I don’t care how far I’ve got to travel, I’m dedicated to my job, very loyal to my work but I’m not just going to jump at the first job, it has to be right for all parties.” While spending more time with his family this summer, Wilkinson has still been involving himself in the game. He spent three valuable days in the Netherlands with Jaap Stam’s Feyenoord learning different techniques and methods.
“I’ve been in to quite a few pro clubs to watch a bit of training and learn,” he added. “I’ve picked up a lot more. I am so, so proud of what I’ve done - my record is up there with some of the best in Non-League.
“I miss the pressure, I miss the 250 phone calls a day from agents, I miss not being abused by away fans, I just want to get back in to what I love.
“The only problem I’ve got now, and I hate this, is that I need someone to play bad for an opportunity. That’s the ruthlessness of the game.”