BAYERN’S BAZ ALWAYS LOOKED THE PART - P8
GARY Flinn says he will never forget his ‘amazing time’ in leading Newport Pagnell Town to two Wembley finals – but felt it was the right moment to move on.
Flinn’s hopes of recording back-to-back FA Vase successes with the Swans were dashed by Ascot United last Sunday.
And the following day it was announced that both he and his trusted assistant Gary Chance would be leaving Willen Road.
It was subsequently confirmed that the managerial duo – who led the Buckinghamshire club to third place in the United Counties Premier Division South this season – would be joining new Southern League Division One Central outfit Leighton Town. It means Flinn and Chance are stepping up one rung of the Non-League ladder to Step 4.
“It was very difficult,” said Flinn of his decision to part ways with the Swans, “and it was nothing to do with another job. I had already spoken to people in-house and said that Wembley was going to be my last game.
“As much as we were doing well on the pitch, there’s still a bit more to do off it if the club is going to be a Step 4 team. Hopefully that happens in the next two, three or four years and they can build a team that gets them out of the league. I hope they go on to have massive success.”
Flinn can certainly leave with his head held high after his four memorable years at the Newport Pagnell helm.
“There were two non-seasons due to Covid and then two full seasons – both with Vase runs,” the 44-year-old told The NLP. “The Vase will forever be in our lives, they are memorable occasions that you will never forget.
“It’s something I will look back on forever and to do it alongside my son Presley, who’s eight, and family was extra special.
“When myself and Gary first took over, we lost every player. We managed to get two back and started again. It’s been a good rebuilding process.
Respectful
“There have been massive financial rewards for the club, building stands and improving the ground, and bringing the community together.”
Flinn is now looking forward to his new job at Leighton Town, who, ironically, were beaten on penalties by Newport Pagnell in the Vase in both of the last two seasons.
The Bedfordshire club are on the crest of a wave having won the Spartan South Midlands Premier and League Cup double this year.
However, they were on the lookout for a new boss following Lee Bircham’s decision to resign earlier this month and join Bedford Town, who will compete in the same division as the Reds next term following relegation from Southern Premier Central.
“The Leighton job came up and they called me,” said Flinn, who runs a building company away from football. “I told them I had another game to play and I would speak to them after that, and they were respectful of that.
“I just thought it was a good club. It’s the next level, it’s still local for me and it would be a good move.”
As for whether he will be able to call on the majority of the current Leighton players following Bircham’s departure, Flinn admitted: “I’m not quite sure yet – I have a few meetings coming up. As the manager has left, a few players may go with him.
“I don’t know whether it’s going to be a complete rebuild or stabilising what they’ve got. The players have got good momentum and are used to winning. Hopefully lads want to stay.”
There’s also the possibility that Flinn may be able to recruit from the Newport Pagnell ranks if needs be.
“There’s players that have played for me before Newport and have been there,” he explained. “But I really need to see where the Leighton Town players are at first. They have the shirts.
“We had a successful team (at Newport Pagnell) and a few would have been moving up with me or someone else. If they do decide to move up, hopefully it’ll be with me.”