STURROCK KEPT HOUSE IN ORDER
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 one of the best from the west, former Bridgwater, Weston-superMare, Yate Town and Dorchester Town gaffer Craig Laird.
Laird started out with Bridgwater as a teenager and caught the eye of Bristol City only to tear knee ligaments before being awarded a contract.
He continued on the nonleague circuit with Bridgwater, Taunton Town and Minehead during their successful stint in the Southern League prior to realising his long-term ambition of moving into the dugout.
WHO WAS YOUR GREATEST GAFFER AND WHY?
The one who really took me under his wing was Alan Hurford, he was my main mentor.
He played for Bridgwater for years, I played with him and for him as a manager, he taught me so much of what I needed to know when I finally went into management myself.
We won quite a lot, a couple of leagues and county cups on the way back up through the system. I didn’t play in all the leagues, I joined a bit later on and he was just a really great manager and an approachable guy with it.
Paul Sturrock was really good as well, I worked under him while coaching at Plymouth, so was Kevin Summerfield (Sturrock’s assistant).
They had a lot to do with the youth side and got really involved, Paul always knew everything that went on at the club. They were both very open and inclusive so it was great, I have been spoiled really.
WHAT IS YOUR TOP MEMORY OF PLAYING FOR ALAN HURFORD?
It was something that he had all the way through, his honesty.
I played in most of his sides but I got dropped along the way as well, there was no taking advantage of his friendship and I think that was one of the biggest things I took from him. You had to play well and not take anything for granted.
HOW DID ALAN AND PAUL INFLUENCE YOUR STYLE OF MANAGEMENT?
Alan was so unpredictable. That’s one thing I remember, you might have won 10 games on the bounce with a similar side and all of a sudden he would change it all.
I think it is important to be unpredictable so other teams can’t know for sure what you’re going to do.
There are so many memories and some would be from his time as a player but I always wanted to be a manager so I didn’t pay too much attention to the playing side of it, more how he operated as a manager.
Even though we had success it wasn’t all about winning, we had a great team spirit.
He didn’t have any cliques, it wasn’t that lot from Bristol over there and then another group from somewhere else, everyone was together which is something I took into my management as well. If I ever saw anything like that forming I would be on it straightaway.
He knew good players and got them in, and they wanted to play for him.
Paul and Kevin were really professional but also happy to share their knowledge.
Kevin’s son (Luke Summerfield) came through the system at the same time as mine (Scott Laird) so we became quite close, I coached Luke for some time.
Paul was great, he’d allow you into the changing room and shared everything he had. The biggest thing I got from him was his discipline, whether it was the players, the club or himself, everyone knew what had to be done.
WHAT ARE YOU UP TO NOW? ARE YOU SEEKING A MANAGER’S POSITION?
I am helping down at Elmore (South West Peninsula League). Steve Orchard, one of my old players from Bridgwater, has gone into management and asked me to go along.
I’m more than happy to share the knowledge I have. Some people might think my ideas are right, others might think they are wrong but I think it is important to pass on that experience.
Steve will take the good bits and throw away whatever he doesn’t like, the same as we have all done over the years. I would like to have another go at management but jobs at a good level can be pretty few and far between in the south-west and there are lots of people after them. Hopefully one will come along.
I would love to work for Weston again, I did well there before and would like to think I could again. My son is there as assistant manager now but I enjoyed my time there.
ANY OTHER INFLUENCES?
When Scott was at Stevenage I would watch Graham Westley, I admired the discipline his sides had on the pitch, his set pieces and the way he managed the games from the first minute to the 90th.
I saw how Scott developed under him and it was very good. How he did things didn’t suit everyone but his record speaks for itself. It was similar with Simon Grayson at Preston North End.
There are always lots of good ideas and you take them for yourself.
Every good manager watches, I have been to Sunday league matches and seen teams defend slightly differently or warm up in ways you haven’t seen before and you adapt it for the level you are at.
My favourite manager is Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp as well. They play the game how I think it should be played.There isn’t a right or wrong way but it’s exciting and with possession of the ball.
Maybe Man City have become a bit boring now, you know it is going to be pass, pass, pass and in time they will have to adapt, Liverpool are more exciting to watch.
It goes right back to Paul Sturrock, he would say never become predictable because teams and managers will watch you, find out what you’re good and bad at and the good managers will counteract what you do.
Alan didn’t say it, I just remember him doing it and that is something that has always stayed with me from both of them.