Davies admits he nearly ‘jacked it in’ before revival
Slough Town FC: Player/manager reflects on a memorable season for Rebels and that incredible home run
If Scott Davies had been told by someone after the Rebels 5-2 defeat to Tonbridge Angels back in September that his side would finish the season in the top 10 with an unbeaten home run of 23 matches having also advanced to the first round of the FA Cup, he probably wouldn't have believed them.
But that is what's materialised after a remarkable recovery from the Rebels lifted the side out of relegation danger over the winter months and briefly put the team on course for a play-off finish.
While that dream proved just out of reach for Davies and his players - with their momentum checked badly by their abandoned game against Bath City in early March - they have still had a National League South campaign to remember.
However, Davies admitted that as he trudged off the field following that humiliating 5-2 home defeat to Tonbridge on September 2, he was considering stepping down, and only the encouragement and belief of the people he spoke to that evening prevented him from doing so.
It was the Rebels' sixth defeat in their opening seven matches, but the players managed to weather the storm and then went on a 10-game unbeaten run that laid the groundwork for what's been an impressive campaign.
Speaking with Connor McNeish after the final whistle for sloughtownfc.net, Davies reflected on the doubts and insecurities which preceded his side’s incredible recovery.
“I probably wouldn't have believed it (after the Tonbridge game). I really did struggle with it, as I alluded to on the pitch during the end of season awards,” he said.
“I did try and jack it in that day. Not from a personal point of view. I didn't want to make it all about me and keep turning up and losing matches and thinking that was acceptable because it wasn't.
“But there were a lot of good people who I spoke to that evening who believed in me, I guess. And fortunately, as a young team, we came through the other side. We went 10 unbeaten after that game which was an unbelievable achievement.
“But I did struggle, of course I did. I remember walking off the pitch after the game against Tonbridge thinking everyone had their eyes on me, questioning me, thinking I'm not good enough or that I didn't know what I was doing. But thanks to the lads, they were able to turn it around and make it a brilliant season.
“I think 10th place is an incredible achievement for a club like ours and it's a joint achievement by everyone that's supported us, whether it's the board, the players, the staff, the volunteers. It's been a joint effort and it's one I'm extremely proud of.”
Their form in the second half of the season, backed by new impetus following the takeover of the club by the A23 Football Ltd Group, also suggests Davies, the management team and players can take Slough to even greater heights next season. They've already convinced several key players to remain on board next season as they look to build a squad that can compete for the top seven finish that was only just out of reach this season.
On Saturday they rounded off the season with a 1-1 draw at home to Welling United, stretching their unbeaten record to 23 games in all competitions in the process. Their top goal scorer this season, Johnny Goddard, ensured their fabulous copybook at Arbour Park wouldn't be blotted on the final day as he swept home a second half penalty – his 19th of the season - to ensure the spoils were shared.
Davies added: “We should have been four or five-nil up at half-time. I think their manager would have said that was fair. I thought the first 45 minutes was like our performance against Bath (when the Rebels led 4-0). Today we could have done it comfortably as well.
“I thought their keeper was brilliant. I'll give him massive credit. Second half, they changed their shape tactically and it worked well for them. In the end we got a goal which gave us a draw.
“Had we been beaten today and lost our unbeaten record, that would have really hurt me. We're off to Dublin tonight and I probably would have jacked Dublin in and not gone.
“But I thought the performance in the first half was good. It was as good as we’ve played in the past few months, but we just couldn’t get the ball past the keeper, who like I’ve said was brilliant.
“There were so many good performances and a crowd of 1,849, was it? We could only have dreamt of that. I think we played Concord when I first took over and the crowd was only 329. It sticks in my memory, but I remember thinking, this club is only going one way. We’ve got so many people to thank for turning it around and making it a great place to be. I feel extremely proud to be manager and be able to steer the club on the pitch and pick the team and things like that. I’m forever grateful to everyone who’s played their part.”