UPHOLD LAW AND YOU WILL SUCCEED
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 Rushall Olympic boss Liam McDonald.
His first job was at Redditch United, turning around a struggling club to go agonisingly close to delivering a return to Step 2 within three seasons.
Hednesford Town came calling but his stay there was brief, jumping two tiers with Solihull Moors and inspiring them to beat the drop from the National League in 2017.
A tough start to the following season led to his departure but he was quickly snapped up by the Pics where he has remained ever since.
McDonald was on course to deliver the highest finish in club history and potentially a play-off berth when the 201920 season was curtailed.
As a player he featured inNon-League’s top flight under his pick Marcus Law but it was his days as part of Barwell’s invincible Midland Alliance title-winning side that stand out.
SO, WHO WAS YOUR GREATEST GAFFER AND WHY?
Marcus Law inspired me to want to go into management. His philosophy and style was a massive influence on how I wanted to be as a manager, you develop and change your characteristics over time but he was someone I looked up to and still look up to a lot.
He was the best manager I played for. I learned a lot from him and we remain good friends now. We speak a lot outside football and if I ever have a problem or if I’m not sure about a player, training or tactics he is generally the first person I have a conversation with.
WHAT IS YOUR BEST MEMORY OF PLAYING FOR MARCUS?
At Barwell we went 65 league games unbeaten which is something I have never heard of before.
We were due to play Coleshill Town at home, we were unbeaten that season, top of the league and flying.
He pulled me to one side and said I would be on the bench, I was a little bit confused as to why and at the time I didn’t understand. I just wanted to play, as players do, and was gutted because I had played every week.
The half-time whistle went, we were two down and he told me to get ready.
I came on and we won 3-2 with a last-minute winner. In fairness, I didn’t play a part in any of the goals, I was just on the pitch but afterwards I quipped: ‘Next time have a little think about it.’
He replied: ‘I don’t think I’ll be doing that again’. I laughed to myself. I played for him after that but he still put me on the bench, though!
HOW HAS HE INFLUENCED YOUR STYLE OF MANAGEMENT?
It was how he could put a whole room of lads on the edge of their seats.
Every dressing room has a lot of different personalities, people are motivated in different ways – money, trophies, individual success.
He had this habit of making sure his team talks spoke to everyone and that we all went out there with the same goal, everyone was on board and knew what they were pushing for.
Everyone was motivated to play whoever we were playing. Looking back we would be going to Biddulph on a Tuesday night, some really tough places but he would always make sure we were ready for whatever we might face.
Motivation was the key to sustained success. Liverpool have won the league but can they replicate that next season, will the motivation be different now?
I watched something about boxing the other night and they were talking about Joe Calzaghe going 46 fights without loss, then there was Roy Jones Junior getting disqualified so his motivation was not about staying unbeaten, it became different.
Players have their own dreams and ambitions but to be able to make one big collective goal and keep that fire burning was something Marcus was really good at.
It was no surprise to me that Kettering went on to win the league (in 2019), he just has that habit.
ANY OTHER INFLUENCES?
Marcus made me fall in love with football again, I had been on a downward spiral until he signed me and he gave me my best years as a player.
Going into management he has always been there as well and I will always be grateful for that.
It has always been that master-and-apprentice scenario so when I was at Redditch in my first job and we beat his Kettering team it felt weird.
He gave me my passion for playing again and going into management so I would have to say just Marcus to be honest – I’ll be getting him another job at this rate!