Right people,asan exiled sand-dancer myself I was over the moon to have the chance to sign up as manager for my home town club. Settling in the Northern League Division 1, they just managed to scrape staying up with a late run at the end of the season.
Due to a falling out betwen Gary Steadman the ex-manager and chairman Bob Jones, (in real life Gary Crutwell) Mr Steadman decided his future lay away from Filtrona Park. I took over on 7th July and was unveiled at a poorly attended press conference on Tuesday 8th July. By this time I had already announced to the board that I intended to achieve a top half finish in my first year.
In the obligatory game againt the reserves I saw just how woeful we were. The reserves running out 1-0 winners, and this was achieved due to their tough tackling approach to the game and a well taken goal from a young trainee. Fortunately this game was behind closed doors, so no-one outside the club saw the humiliation.However he is certainly one to watch for the future.
Next up was Newcastle reserves at home and after taking the lead in an even game just before half time through one of out strikers, but Newcastle came back and equalised just after the break - a good game and one that boosted my confidence in the post. However,due to forgetting to do the post match team talk I alienated some of the players - ******!
The displeasure was seen in the next game - Jarrow Roofing away, we just were not at the game at all losing 0-2 to a goal each side of half time. That defeat hurt. We had signed Christian Moore, a jobbing striker the day before and as a result of pitching him in too soon, there was no cohesion uo front.
The following Sunday we were away again, this time to Darlington Rise Carr Rangers.We played absolutely great football - totally dominating the game, yet unable to score the simpleast of goals. Like kids football where the entire team follows the ball, so the Rise Carr defence followed the ball out to the near side and when a fierceshot was fired in I thought "This could go anywhere." It did - off the post - and fell to the feet of an attcking midfielder near the penalty spot, he controlled the ball and took a step forward. The defence was all over to their left, keeper lying down on the ground my midfielder was clear and just had to roll the ball forwards .... it went about ten foot over the bar. :'(
Two days later we entertained the Glenn Hoddle Academy and in a pulsating game we got a very good 0 - 0 draw where we actually outplayed our illustrious visitors. Things were looking good, but still woefully goal shy - only one goal to date, even if it were agains Newcastle Reserves wher of the 23 players they used, 14 of them had first team experience.
On the 4th August we held a staff meeting where several options were presented to me ... a few potential signings and tweaks to existing players style of play were suggested and surprisingly some of them tallied with my own notes. As a result we signed central midfielder who the supporters recognised as being very talented. the pick of the quotes from being asked if his signing will benefit the team long term, I responded "I think that what we want to do here will serve the club well going forward."
On 10th August we signed 32 year old right winger and an attacking midfielder from Whitton Albion. Further transfer delight lay in my capture of Grimsby Borough's left winger. So effectively I have brought a new midfield. I also brought in a scout a coach. They would not let me buy any more coaches, I would like to have had one more to look after the fitness side of things but in lower leagues you have to cut your cloth accordingly.
Due to a falling out betwen Gary Steadman the ex-manager and chairman Bob Jones, (in real life Gary Crutwell) Mr Steadman decided his future lay away from Filtrona Park. I took over on 7th July and was unveiled at a poorly attended press conference on Tuesday 8th July. By this time I had already announced to the board that I intended to achieve a top half finish in my first year.
In the obligatory game againt the reserves I saw just how woeful we were. The reserves running out 1-0 winners, and this was achieved due to their tough tackling approach to the game and a well taken goal from a young trainee. Fortunately this game was behind closed doors, so no-one outside the club saw the humiliation.However he is certainly one to watch for the future.
Next up was Newcastle reserves at home and after taking the lead in an even game just before half time through one of out strikers, but Newcastle came back and equalised just after the break - a good game and one that boosted my confidence in the post. However,due to forgetting to do the post match team talk I alienated some of the players - ******!
The displeasure was seen in the next game - Jarrow Roofing away, we just were not at the game at all losing 0-2 to a goal each side of half time. That defeat hurt. We had signed Christian Moore, a jobbing striker the day before and as a result of pitching him in too soon, there was no cohesion uo front.
The following Sunday we were away again, this time to Darlington Rise Carr Rangers.We played absolutely great football - totally dominating the game, yet unable to score the simpleast of goals. Like kids football where the entire team follows the ball, so the Rise Carr defence followed the ball out to the near side and when a fierceshot was fired in I thought "This could go anywhere." It did - off the post - and fell to the feet of an attcking midfielder near the penalty spot, he controlled the ball and took a step forward. The defence was all over to their left, keeper lying down on the ground my midfielder was clear and just had to roll the ball forwards .... it went about ten foot over the bar. :'(
Two days later we entertained the Glenn Hoddle Academy and in a pulsating game we got a very good 0 - 0 draw where we actually outplayed our illustrious visitors. Things were looking good, but still woefully goal shy - only one goal to date, even if it were agains Newcastle Reserves wher of the 23 players they used, 14 of them had first team experience.
On the 4th August we held a staff meeting where several options were presented to me ... a few potential signings and tweaks to existing players style of play were suggested and surprisingly some of them tallied with my own notes. As a result we signed central midfielder who the supporters recognised as being very talented. the pick of the quotes from being asked if his signing will benefit the team long term, I responded "I think that what we want to do here will serve the club well going forward."
On 10th August we signed 32 year old right winger and an attacking midfielder from Whitton Albion. Further transfer delight lay in my capture of Grimsby Borough's left winger. So effectively I have brought a new midfield. I also brought in a scout a coach. They would not let me buy any more coaches, I would like to have had one more to look after the fitness side of things but in lower leagues you have to cut your cloth accordingly.
