SPIRITS FROM THE PAST CAN HELP LIFT GAZ
ROOKIE Brackley boss Gaz Dean might have limited experience in the dugout but he will have an old head to call on when his side head to Chester for today’s National League North play-off semi-final.
The club captain was put in charge of the Saints on an interim basis following Roger Johnson’s dismissal last month.
And the 33-year-old defender was immediately on the phone to the man who took him to the Northamptonshire outfit.
“I have some great guys around me here including Gavin Cowan who was my mentor,” Dean explained.
“But outside of the club I have some good people that I can confide in and I can honestly say that Kev Wilkin is the first person I turn to and was my first phone call when I agreed to take on the role here.
“I will always tap into his knowledge, his expertise and his opinions because I would be naive not to. He is just a great person. He could dig his heels in and not want to help because of certain things that went on but he’s not like that.”
Dean was referring to when Wilkin, who guided the Saints to FA Trophy glory in 2018, was sacked as Brackley boss earlier this season.
But the long-term manager was there to see many of his former players book their trip to
Chester after seeing off Gloucester City on penalties after the sides drew 2-2 in midweek.
“He is like a second father figure to me,” Dean added. “It was probably difficult for him to come and watch the game after all that has gone on but I’m delighted that he was here to see us win and ultimately he has played a massive part in where we are.
“He deserves more credit than me. He has brought the players to the football club and created an ethos and I am just taking on the reins for a short period of time to try and get them to fulfil their potential. The club owes a lot to him and I certainly do as well.
“He has nurtured me to become the man I am today and the leader I am and I owe a lot to him.”
Brackley took just one point off Chester in their two league meetings this term, finishing 15 points behind them in the league, and Dean knows the play-off semi-final will be another tough test.
He said: “They have been pretty consistent all year and they have a nice balance between defence and attack.
They will be a tough nut to crack but hopefully the lads can take a little bit of momentum and a bit of belief and put on a display.”