OUR CHANCE TO MAKE A BOLD MOVE
WITH THE FA VASE AROUND THE CORNER HOW IMPORTANT IS A GOOD CUP RUN FOR YOUR SEASON?
The Vase is a fantastic competition. With Step 5 being the highest level of involvement, every team at Step 5, and even Step 6, begins the season with the belief that it could be their year. In recent years the Midland Football League has been heavily involved in the latter stages of the competition, albeit without success, so every team within wants to be that first team.
STOURPORT SWIFTS ARE THE VISITORS NEXT WEEK. WHAT WOULD YOUR TYPICAL MATCH PREPARATION BE FOR THAT UPCOMING WEEK?
Like most Non-League sides, we train twice a week. This week we have a midweek fixture, so we will train on Thursday only. We have done some homework and will have played them already this season, so we will work on shape and pattern ahead of the game.
YOU PLAYED THEM YESTERDAY IN THE FA CUP. YOU’RE IN THE SAME LEAGUE BUT IS THE MENTALITY DIFFERENT IN THE BIG CUP GAMES?
I hope not. We want to achieve things here and to do so every game is a big game. We’ve not had the start we hoped for so the pressure is on, I protect the players from outside pressures, but your own personal ambition and pride, whether it be a player, a manager, a coach is the biggest drive.
DO YOU USE WEMBLEY AS A MOTIVATION OR IS IT PURELY ONE ROUND AT A TIME?
I’m sure every manager will use ‘Wembley’ as part of his team talk this weekend, players will joke I’m sure. But in reality, it is one game at a time, it is a cup competition at the end of the day and if you don’t focus on what’s immediately in front of you then it could be suddenly all over.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE FA VASE MOMENT?
As a player with Stourbridge we reached the quarter-final in 04-05, losing to eventual finalists AFC Sudbury. We hit the post with minutes of normal time remaining, a goal would have sent us through but it wasn’t to be. The hype and attention that came with that run was fantastic, you were living the life of a pro for a short time, appearing on TV news channels and so on, a great experience for the nonleague player.
AFTER A SUCCESSFUL SEASON LAST TERM WHAT ARE YOUR REALISTIC AMBITIONS FOR THIS YEAR?
We had a great year last year, with a team that we had developed over a couple of years, with players that had matured with us through from our youth team. Our summer has been tough, every man and his dog has come after those players, It’s hard to accept, but part of your job is to develop players and help them better themselves, sometimes that means they move on, with every one of those lads moving to a higher level, I suppose we are doing our job. This season has become a slight rebuild, so recruitment has been hectic and we need to give those new lads and those lads moving through our own youth system, the time to settle and perform.
WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF BEING A MANAGER AT STEP 5?
Every manager will tell you it’s hard work, but more often than not, the highs outweigh the lows. Every win clouds any negativity that comes with the territory, thus the satisfaction the game can provide is at times beyond words. As a man in my forties, it helps keep me young, I try and train with the lads at times still, so it helps keep you fit.
The negative is the impact on your family life, having a young son that wants to spend his Saturdays with you and a wife that’s put up with playing second fiddle since she met is the hardest!
HOW HARD IS IT TO JUGGLE WORK AS A PARTNER AT THOMAS AND YOUNG ACCOUNTANTS AND ALSO MANAGING BOLDMERE ST. MICHAELS?
I work hard to ensure my ‘hobby’ doesn’t impact my day job, having a strong management team working with you is important. I’ve worked in a way that being a Non-League manager has enhanced my day job, it has provided myself with opportunity and recognition. I understand the world of football and that is an asset. I have football clubs, sporting organisations, charities, managers, players, physios as clients, therefore they have been able to go hand in hand. I am lucky in that sense, but I’ve worked hard to establish that.