I HAD A TAYLOR MADE MENTOR!
WHO inspires the inspirations in the ever-changing world of football? Which traits stand the test of time?
In the latest of our series, we pick the brains of Dover Athletic boss Andy Hessenthaler.
He picks ex-England under-21 and Leicester City manager Peter Taylor, the man who launched his professional careers on the pitch and in the dugout.
It all started with an impressive performance for Corinthian in a Kent County Cup match against Taylor’s Dartford and the pair would be reunited when Taylor was appointed as Steve Perryman’s assistant at Watford following a spell managing Enfield, plucking the midfielder from Redbridge Forest.
After captaining the Hornets, Hessenthaler moved on to Gillingham under Tony Pulis and was later offered the player-manager’s job, something which brought together protégé and mentor for a third time.
WHO WAS YOUR GREATEST GAFFER AND WHY?
Peter Taylor gave me my first opportunity in professional football. When he first came in for me at Dartford, I knew who he was from his career with Tottenham and England and everything started to evolve from there for me.
Pete wasn’t the manager at Watford, Steve was, but I still classed him as the gaffer because of what he had done for me.
After they left, I became captain and later signed for Gillingham. We lost the playoff final to Manchester City in heartbreaking circumstances, losing on penalties after being two goals up.
Tony (Pulis) went on to manage Bristol City so the chairman, Paul Scally, asked me to become player-manager. I was coming up to 34 and wanted to focus on playing. Peter had been pretty successful with England under-21s and there was a bit of an outcry when he was relieved of his duties.
I knew he was away on holiday but I called him and said I didn’t feel ready for the opportunity. I asked if he would fancy it if I spoke to Paul.
It was 2 o’clock in the morning when he rang to say he had agreed a deal, I became player-coach and we had a fantastic year, getting to the quarter-final of the FA Cup against Chelsea and winning the play-off final.
He got the Leicester job a year later and it was then that I felt I had the tools to take over.
He has played a massive part in my life, he is a family friend as well but I learned so much from the way he dealt with me and players in general.
I class him as a top manager but also a fantastic coach. He can do both and was the catalyst for me to become a player and a manager.
He is a player’s manager, he had a great career at the top level but you can have a laugh with him and he creates a relaxed atmosphere while being serious when it is needed.
Everyone knew what we were doing in training or on a match day, no stone would be left unturned. You can only learn from people like that.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORY OF PLAYING FOR PETER?
It would have to be the year we got promoted. We had a chance to go up outright but blew it at Wrexham and ended up going through the playoffs again.
After losing to
Man City the way we did, he changed everything around, brought in some good players and we saw it through.
He is a bit of character, Pete. Talking to people that played with him, you find out he got up to a few tricks and he brought that to the group as well. We had some fun and games. Ady Pennock stole his phone on the coach one day. That wasn’t the smartest thing to do because as much as he liked a joke, Pete didn’t react too well. He was fuming, not a happy man, he didn’t know who had it and with me being a player and a member of staff I remember staying pretty quiet.
He threatened to take away our day off if he didn’t get it back and the phone quickly got returned to the front of the coach.
You can imagine what sort of numbers he has on there and Ady managed to get into it. I think he phoned Glenn Hoddle and a few others as well.
Pete saw the funny side in the end and that was him, he would enjoy the fun and games as I’m sure it was the sort of thing he would get up to as a player.
HOW HAS HE INFLUENCED YOUR STYLE OF MANAGEMENT?
His honesty was a big thing. You need that as a manager because there are so many tough decisions.
It was not easy when I became player-manager. You go from being everyone’s mate to their manager too and leaving out players isn’t easy at the best of times.
Peter taught me to just be honest, sit people down and speak to them. Don’t just pick your team, if someone is left out tell them why.
They just want to know. Okay, they might not agree with you but if they can see you’re being straight with them, they will respect that you’re making really tough calls.
People respected Pete and I believe they respect me. I do things the honest way just as I did as a player.
I am a passionate guy and believe I bring that to the management side. Doing that in the right way was something I learned from Pete as well.
PETER HAS REMAINED IN THE GAME UNTIL RECENTLY. DO YOU THINK HE WILL RETURN?
He’s had a great time and I don’t think he would moan at me saying he is getting a bit older now.
I still stay in touch with him and think if he had the opportunity to come back in at the right club he would take it. If I had the opportunity to manage in the Football League at some stage, Pete would be the first person I’d call to help.
He is enjoying time with the grandkids but is still hungry to have another go, definitely.
ANY OTHER INFLUENCES?
My family, I know a lot of people say that but my dad watched me play a lot. He has passed away now but would always be about. Unfortunately my mum died when I was 26, she saw me turn professional and was a big influence as well.
They followed me around the country and I have taken a lot from my dad and the way he dealt with life.
I learned a lot from Glenn Roeder and Steve Perryman at Watford, Tony Pulis as well, you pick up bits and pieces from all the managers you work with.
While Pete stands out, they have all had an influence on me.