JOHN TAUGHT ME KEY TO SUCCESS!
lers who knew their jobs. You didn’t have to coach them.
Peter and John would pick the team and then trust the lads to go out onto the pitch and that has been a big part of my managerial style. Once I bring in a player, I trust him to know what he is going to do.
Set-ups and picking horses for courses come into it but in general, people who have seen my teams play over the years would say we were exciting to watch. We probably let in too many goals but we were always sure of getting a few as well.
ANY OTHER INFLUENCES?
I played under Brendan Phillips at Nuneaton, I was on my last legs really and owe a lot to him for bringing me in as player-coach. He got me a foot on the managerial and coaching ladder, I’ll always be grateful for that.
AND NOW YOU’RE AT HEREFORD…
I had been scouting fulltime for Fleetwood Town for six months when Josh (Gowling, Hereford manager) got in touch, I said straightaway my days as a manager are well and truly over but I always wanted to stay involved.
I never ruled out being an assistant to help someone and this came at just the right time. This is what I want to do now, put to use my experience with a young manager.
Things were looking good before the lockdown, we had got clear of the relegation zone and started getting the lads playing some decent football.
It was a no-brainer for me to say I would be happy to carry on if Josh wanted me to, at this stage of my career it is just the sort of thing I am looking to do.
Once I had made my mind up about retiring from managing I wasn’t going to go back on that. I had offers but it is not for me. Helping someone like Josh, someone who has done his badges, has had a good playing career and is looking to be successful as a manager, I’m happy with that.
It is a big club and we will do our best, it is going to be tough because there will be a lot more restrictions than this time last season but I am looking forward to it. It fits perfectly for me.