BERRY: WE HAVE TO JUST GET ON WITH IT

ROOKIE boss Jordan Berry will urge his Harrow Borough players to ‘roll up their sleeves’ as they prepare for an unexpected shot at Step 3 football.

Boro were gearing up for life at the tier below after relegation from Southern Premier South in the season just finished.

However, Met Police’s decision to take voluntary relegation paved the way for the Earslmead outfit to be handed an 11th-hour reprieve.

Having started to make plans for life at Step 4, Boro contemplated an appeal against the decision, but, ultimately, decided to go with the hand that was dealt them.

It all means that former Egham Town boss Berry is preparing for third tier Non-League management at the age of just 29. However, he’s relishing the extra responsibility.

He told The NLP: “Firstly,

we had no indication of this happening – it took us by surprise. Saying that, when I first heard about it, I was pleased. It will be much more of a challenge.

“There are big differences between the Steps – the travelling is one of them – and there are some really big clubs in Southern Premier South, some that are trying really hard to get out of that league.”

Former Boro midfielder Berry admits that the club’s recruitment plans have had to change in response to the unexpected reprieve.

“In terms of personnel it has changed, but nothing has changed in the qualities we want – the principles are still the same,” said the primary school PE teacher. “We need players with the right mentality, players ready to work and roll their sleeves up. There’s a lot of work to do to get the right characters in.”

At least there won’t be quite as much travelling in the widespread Southern Premier South next term.

Berry added: “With Truro, Weston and Yate going out and the likes of Basingstoke and Walton & Hersham coming in, it has changed a bit. As for the players, a lot of them want to play as high as they can and compete with the best they can. Overall, I think players like that opportunity.”