BEAVERS ON TO A GWINNER
MEL GWINNETT has a longterm vision for Hampton & Richmond Borough – but even he admits they’re punching above expectations.
The Beavers’ FA Trophy win at Step 1 Southend United last Saturday extended their unbeaten run to 13 games.
It’s a stretch that has seen Gwinnett’s side win nine of 11 National League South games to move them up to third in the table.
Yesterday, they travelled to leaders Yeovil Town and, regardless of result, the boss couldn’t be more pleased with the strides they’ve made since he walked through the door in January.
“What attracted me into the club was that they want to build, they want to develop,” Gwinnett tells The NLP. “It’s not about ‘win at all costs’, it’s about development.
“You can go down the route of signing players, they don’t quite work out, move them out, sign more players…or you can say: let’s build something sustainable. It takes longer, it’s harder work, but, ultimately, the business is more secure at the end of it when you get to where you want to go. You’re developing your own players, bringing young ones through – you’ve got that structure underneath that supports the club for the long term. We’ve gone down that route.
“My teams tend to get better as the season goes on. That doesn’t mean we won’t hit a bad patch at some point, but it’s about growing the club and continually looking to evolve as a team and a club.
“We’ve got a bit of momentum at the moment. It’s been hard fought for. But it can as quickly change as keep going.”
Gwinnett’s changes have to shown in results. Voluntary Monday and Friday training sessions have been added to the traditional Tuesday and Thursday nights.
Players also have opportunity to put the work in now for life after football be it coaching, analytical work or physiotherapy.
Infrastructure
Gwinnett, who as well as a solid football career brings a experience from a successful period spent in retail, sees the bigger picture for the club.
“When I step down I hope I will have someone lined up to replace me or someone to replace my first team coach, someone to step into the analysts role,” Gwinnett says.
“So as people move on, for whatever reason, you’ve got people ready. That takes a lot of hard work from everybody – and a real dedication from the club to stick with it.
“The one thing you hear with football generally is very few management groups get long to build anything. It’s about win at all costs or we’ll change it.
Personally, I don’t agree with that. I think if you want sustainability going forward and you want a successful club you’ve got to build and have an infrastructure that allows you to do that.
“Or you’ve got to have a lot of money that is going to continually come into the club over again because mistakes are made, new managers come in and don’t like the players there and things moves on.
“Everyone is entitled to do it their own way. The way I like it is all about development. But you’ve got to give people time.”
While it’s been his first full taste of Non-League management – he admits he had to get his head around non-contract players and seven day approaches – players are similar through all levels. And to make sure the right signings are made, his recruitment process includes an interview.
Those who have signed enjoyed a special moment last weekend when they came from two goals down to beat Southend on penalties and set-up a fourth round trip to Hartlepool United.
“The lads dug in and got a result and you’ve got to enjoy those moments,” Gwinnett says. “We’ve got a great draw away at Hartlepool again so we’ll go up and there and have a go.
“That’s why, in my opinion, it’s the best sport in the world. Late goals, strange things happen, I’ve been on the other end where that happens against you and it feels devastating. On the other hand, you’re elated when it goes for you.
“I said to the lads, ‘Go and enjoy the weekend. But on Monday we start the preparation’.”