DAN’S GIVEN US SCOPES FOR MORE CUP GLORY
CONCORD RANGERS chairman Ant Smith says the Beachboys’ run to the Buildbase FA Trophy last eight is reward for everyone at the club – especially returning boss Danny Scopes.
The National League South club are enjoying a history-making run to the quarter-final stage after beating Leamington last weekend.
Penalties were needed to separate them from their National League North opponents, with a home tie against Step 3 Royston Town up next for a place in the semis.
Smith – who has overseen the club’s rise from the Essex Senior League – admits it still hasn’t quite sunk in.
But he couldn’t be happier for manager Scopes, who took the reins again in the summer.
“It’s for everybody,” Smith told The NLP. “And, for me, it’s fantastic for Danny Scopes. He’s come back in, he’s had to build a completely new side other than two players and he’s done incredible.
“With the games in hand and our league position, we’ve still got a shout of the play-offs, we’re in the Essex Senior Cup semi-final. It’s been a fantastic season however it ends up.
“I’ve known Danny for about 15 years and he’s been involved with the club for about 12. He was a bit hesitant about taking the job again because he was worried about that [friendship], but I said, ‘Listen, it won’t ever affect it, we’re too good friends for it to’.
“I’m just so pleased for him. He took gambles on players two levels below and they’ve come through for him. You can see them grow with every game. The squad is getting better and better.”
Scopes, who was joint-manager alongside Danny Cowley for their promotion out of
Step 5, was the number one choice following Sammy Moore’s departure.
“The decision with Sammy going was made before the end of the season and I didn’t really look at all,” Smith said.
“Dan had got involved with Sammy and I knew what he’d been doing behind the scenes for three or four months so minds were made up and the job didn’t get advertised at all.
“Even when he had the time to go and run his boys’ side, he was still coming to help out if we ever needed – he’s never been away from the club.
“I think he felt he had a bit of a point to prove after working with Danny Cowley in the early days and then letting Danny take the reins. I think he himself felt he had a point to prove still, so there’s that side of it as well. I’m well pleased for him.” Cowley brothers Danny and Nicky – now in charge of Huddersfield Town – sent their good wishes immediately after the penalty shootout. And for Smith it made a quick dash back from the ski slopes even more worthwhile.
“I was out skiing in Italy near Turin,” Smith, who admits he couldn’t watch the shoot-out said. “I planned the trip a few months ago and hadn’t looked at the date. When we won in the last round I asked when the game was and realised – I had a couple of days skiing!”
The Beachboys know exactly what they’re in for with Royston. The Crows have knocked out higher opposition Wealdstone, Boreham Wood, Chester and Ebbsfleet United to reach this stage.
While it will make for a fascinating cup tie, Smith says Concord’s own fine run has got the whole club bubbling with excitement.
“You can tell there is a bit of a buzz, everyone pulling together again,” he added. “I’m not going to lie, we put a bit more money to it last year.
“This year we’ve gone back to a reasonable budget and it’s worked really well for us. It has brought that Concord camaraderie back.”