HOLLERAN MILESTONE FUELS FIRE FOR MORE
PAUL Holleran can relate to Jurgen Klopp’s need to take a break – but he intends to keep adding to a 700 not-out at his own LFC.
Leamington boss Holleran took charge in November 2009 and chalked up his latest milestone in style as his Southern Premier Central playoff chasers beat Hitchin Town 3-0 last Saturday.
The BBC’s Football Focus highlighted his achievements in yesterday’s show that falls on Non-League Day, breaking away from the traditional focus on top-tier matters such as Klopp’s imminent exit from Liverpool.
But while all of that is a world away from life at The New Windmill, there are some parallels.
“Being honest, it is a tough job, I am getting older and the players are getting younger,” said Holleran. “I am 53. I started early so that helps but the gap is still there. When you have done so many years – not just here but at Solihull, Rushall and Halesowen – it takes its toll because you sacrifice so much.
“You do have moments where you think ‘can I keep doing this?’ but the players and fans keep driving me on at the moment.
“Even at this level you don’t stop. Regardless of whether you are Jurgen Klopp or Paul Holleran, it is relentless, and I do 50 hours per week on top of that as well which I imagine is a bit different to Jurgen!”
The two-way loyalty of Holleran’s tenure is unheard of in the Premier League – he has seen through two promotions from Step 3 and toughed out two relegations from National North, moving on a wealth of talent to the professional game along the way – but he never dreamed of being around for this long.
“Not after some of the early results,” he quipped. “You don’t expect it but something has always happened to keep it ticking over, whether that’s promotion, relegation or selling some players, there has always been a reason to keep going.
“You keep ticking along and maybe become part of the furniture – it is a bit like your wife, they begin to like you, you begin to like them.
“The fans have always been good with me, as the years have gone by the bond has certainly grown. We have had a lot of good times and seen a lot of good players here.”
Aiding unexpected moves into the EFL and bagging his first Southern League title in 2013 are Holleran’s standout successes and while he suggests he doesn’t envisage going on forever, he clearly still has the bug to try to repeat them.
“It does cross your mind as to whether you can do any more, there is no doubt about that,” he added. “When we got relegated last season, in my eyes I felt I was the best person to stabilise the club and get it back on track.
“You are always looking for the next project, the likes of Callum Stewart, Ewan Williams, that might be the next that we can move on to full-time.
“It has been a real challenge in a tough league this season, we have had to rebuild and I am looking forward to the last few games. Hopefully the boys can keep the levels up and see where we get.”