Searching for success

Two months later...
Two months had passed and I was still at university. I was doing a lot better this time without the distractions of the coaching courses and possibilities. I had said to myself I would wait till after this year, so till the 2016/17 season before trying to return to management.

But that is when I received this email:
"Dear K.Mitchell,

Here at Harrogate Town we are looking for a new manager and we would love if you could come in for an interview. We are aware of your current situation which is why we have proposed the following plan.

As we are only a part-time, semi-professional club we would manage our schedule around your university education for the next year. We would be willing to add a number of staff members in order to help you and hopefully aid you in your success.

We are very interested in developing your skills and helping build your career and we are happy with what we saw in your first two management jobs with Clyde and Ards.

Kind Regards, Harrogate Town."

This was a perfect opportunity. They had given me the chance to help stabilise my backup plan whilst also pursuing my career in management. It was close to the university, only an hour on the train and it meant I could stay with my girlfriend and continue to see family and friends regularly unlike my previous two positions.

After the interview which was light hearted and just talking about the role and specifics I was offered the job. I had to take it, it was my only offer in 6 months and I couldn't throw it away.

I was going to manage Harrogate.
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Searching for Staff
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It was good to be back in management, it had been a long six months and I was happy with what Harrogate had offered me. How many other teams will have offered me the chance to continue university on the side.

The first thing I did was to ask something I had forgotten to ask when I was in the interview, I wanted a senior affiliate team. They said they would look into it but also noted that the previous manager asked for the same thing and they couldn't find anyone they found suitable.

Next on my list was to find my staff. The last manager obviously created a tight group behind the scenes and they all left with him when he was sacked meaning I had only 5 days to sort out my staff in order to be ready for the next game.

First thing I did was released our only senior staff member, scout Byron Townsend, he just wasn't good enough and I was confident of bringing in better. He understood.

Firstly I brought in Matt Lockwood as my assistant manager. He was 39 and unproven but after talking to him I was confident he could help make a difference when I wasn't here.

Then I hired two coaches. Paul McGuire was the first. He was a brilliant fitness coach but also very good at coaching the players in attacking and defending. The other was Guy Proctor, again brilliant in fitness coaching but also very good in the tactical and technical side of coaching. I was happy to bring both in.

Then I added a couple of scouts to replace Byron Townsend. Bradley Quamina and Stephen Kidd. Both of them were very good at judging players ability and potential and a great addition. Kidd was also brilliant at working with youngsters so he would be brilliant for scouting prospects as I wanted to build a team for the future, I promised the board I would be here for as long as possible.

The only other staff member I had now was Head of Youth Development Gavin Goodwin. The owner, Irving Weaver, demanded I kept him here if I took the job as he was very good at working with the youth squads so I stuck with him. I would look to hire some staff for the U21's and U18's later on.

I then realised I had no Physio and this was important. I tried hiring former Walsall Physio Jon Whitney but he wanted a role in a hire division, understandable. So I found this guy called Clive Topley. He had a national reputation and was willing to join for £65 a week so I got him straight away.

I decided to look at the youth staff, I had gone through everything quicker than expected so just started hiring a few coaches for the two youth squads. It didn't turn out successful as I couldn't find any coaches willing to manage a youth squad at this level so I will leave that to a later date, Gavin Goodwin seemed capable of coaching the youngsters and I would ask the coaches to help out.


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Meeting the Squad
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I came into today to be greeted to the squad for the first time since taking over, I had no chance to work with the squad yesterday so gave them a day of rest as I searched for staff.
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I had already brought in two players yesterday; striker Joseph Dodoo and Luke Hendrie. Dodoo probably wouldn't be ready for my first couple of games as he had fitness problems galore. Hendrie would be a game day decision depending on how quickly he got fit again.
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The two would be key players when ready and would be two of the best players at the club, with room to develop for both meaning they could be top players for years to come.

After looking at the squad I knew what I needed. I needed to improve at centre back and possibly bring in a goalkeeper depending how the ones we had developed, since we had 4 keepers who assistant manager Matt Lockwood saw as having 5* potential.

There was a lot of potential, maybe too much as it meant in some positions we lacked the star quality I would've preferred. There were some obvious key players though.

Charlie Bailey- CM/CAM - On Loan from Morecambe
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The 19 year old loanee would be a part of an extremely strong midfield.

Lewis Turner - RB/CB/LB/WBR/RM
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He would play right back and hopefully help to form a strong enough defence as he provides cover for a weak centre back core.

Danny Meadows - CM
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Another strong midfielder who would hopefully help me to control games and beat teams in the middle.

There were also a great player in Jimmy Lee (MR/AMR) who would hopefully provide some strong wing play.​
 
Tough Start
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When I took over the club were in a relegation battle and were one of 4 or 5 teams who were really in trouble at this point. We were 19th and although the manager had picked up a bit of form it wasn't enough to warrant him keeping his job.

Originally my first game was supposed to be 2 days after I took over on the 21st of November but the game against Matlock was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. I think that would've been the preferable start rather than a game against Tamworth who were 10th I could've been against Matlock who were below me.

Tamworth 5-0 Harrogate

So my first game against Tamworth. I wanted a draw, the players were struggling to pick up the tactics, it was like they'd never seen a formation before so for the first game I went for 4-4-2. And it did not work... I lost 5-0, 5! In my defence I came up against an unstoppable player, Jake Fowler who scored 4 and got an assist all from the wing. My defence really needed to improve.

Harrogate 1-0 Rushall Olympic (FA Trophy)

The next game was an easier fixture. Rushall Olympic in the FA Trophy. I remember going there as a kid to the pre-season games as a Walsall fan but this time it was my first home game. This time I tried 4-2-3-1 to try and add more going forward whilst relying on the two centre midfielders to provide cover to the back 4. 0-0 at half time and I switched it up to 4-5-1 to try and control the midfield and force them to make mistakes in the middle. Unfortunately that didn't work either, it was only a penalty in the 74th minute that gave me the 1-0 win.

Harrogate 0-2 Matlock Town

Now was the rearranged home game against Matlock, a team that turned me down months ago when they needed a manager. They were below me in the league but tied on points so a win won be a brilliant result. I tried 4-5-1 again and tried to control the game for the first half, which we did but it was all in the middle of the park as neither team managed to get a shot! So a switch to a formation I'd always wanted to use but never had the personnel. 4-1-2-3. I thought if I let them push up and forced the counter then I could win the game. It worked for the first 20 minutes of the second half as I hit the post 3 times but they then figured out my plan and despite changes in tactics they were on top and eventually came out with a 2-0 victory.

Review
It wasn't the start I wanted, I wasn't expecting much from the Tamworth game, a draw at best but the Matlock game should've been a win but the finishing was poor when we started to get shots. I was worried mostly about the back 4, despite strong full backs the two centre backs let us down over and over again in both losses allowing easy headers.

The keeper also seemed a bit of a problem. Our number one choice was out injured, and would be for at least another month, possibly 2! This meant I had two keepers filled with potential but not great at the moment were first and second choice.

I need to try and get the tactics sorted quickly. I think that was our biggest let down. The previous manager reportedly played with a back 5 leaving players out of position but it meant they were having to get used to playing with a back 4. It won't have helped that Gavin Goodwin, our head of youth, was the only coach here to sort out tactics and coach them after the previous manager left.

Once the tactics were set in place I knew I would pick form up with the squad I had. I would use 4-1-2-3 Counter, 4-5-1 Control and 4-2-3-1 Attacking as my tactics in an attempt to score goals and control the midfield leaving the back 4 to just clear up. I set all 3 tactics up and taught them to the players in the first training session after the Matlock loss.

Meanwhile university was going well. I had managed to keep a balance between uni life and manager life and kept them separately as well. Although I did decide to try and develop a manager's programme to help analyse things which I was doing for my courses final project.
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Learning Curve
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I was starting to realise that the players were struggling to pick up the tactics but I told them to keep at it and focus as we tried to push out of the relegation zone. I had worked at two clubs who had part time players but all key players were full time meaning they were always quick to pick up tactics.

Harrogate 2-0 Worcester

My next game was against Worcester who from what I had read were a rough team. The scout confirmed this and said to try and move the ball around them and keep away from them. So I told the team to control the game and keep it simple to try and wear them out and hit them when they were tired.

The first half was tough with them battering our players in a tightly contested game, our keeper Hewelt looked rough as he came into the changing rooms but said he was fine to carry on.

The second half got better, the first half tired them out and then we were running rings around them but still controlling the game from the midfield. Charlie Bailey scored both goals from crosses, one was a beautifully whipped in free kick which Bailey hit perfectly on the volley whilst the second was a more scrappy low cross resulting in a tap in.

My first league win saw us move out of the relegation zone and 3 points clear of Workington and Telford who were both on 17 points, whilst Histon were rock bottom on 8 points with only 1 win.

Review
I had only played one more game but I was a lot more confident. I had got my first league win and finally had a strong performance, the win against Rushall was scrappy and that was against a weaker opponent. This win showed I could control a game and tire a team out before striking and winning the game late on.

My next game would be against Kidderminster in a weeks time in the FA Trophy first round, I knew how I was going to play it out and what tactics I would use so it was now just a waiting game and trying to settle the players into the new tactics.

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Time for a big game
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It was time for the big game against Kidderminster this Saturday. I spent a lot of this week at university working on assignments but still found some time to start searching for a new central defender to try resolve our biggest weakness, it would have to be a loanee.

I was actually quite annoyed when the board found this out and told me about the link with Leeds! I had asked for an affiliate and they didn't think to tell me we already had one. I sent the scouts out to Leeds to look at a few options but nothing was likely to happen before Saturday.

I also told the scouts to work on finding some youngsters to sign at the end of the season on freebies, I sent Kidd out to do this whilst Quamina was sent out to look for centre backs to sign at the end of the season on freebies.

Kane, our left winger would be out for the game Saturday, he was cup tied as Chester didn't want him to be playing in cup games, I don't understand why. Swain will now start on the left wing whilst McCormick will be the winger on the bench (I have a system; keeper, defender, central midfielder, winger, striker).

I had set the tactics after last weeks game and it wasn't going to be the same. Rather than trying to control the game I will be trying to hit them on the counter and win the game on the break. Hendrie would play in the holding role of a 4-1-2-3 formation in cover for the back 4.

Harrogate 2-1 Kidderminster

Dodoo! What a signing. We dominated the first half and they just couldn't cope with the quick counter attacking. We were passing the ball around quickly and forcing them to chase us and that would pay off in the second half.

We continued to do the same for the first 15 minutes, they couldn't deal with it. Just before my 2 subs Dodoo hit the post and saw his rebound skim the post and go wide. They then scored straight from the goal kick in an identical move to the one for our first goal. Quickly hit the ball up, quick passes around defenders and an easy finish.

Once they realised this worked they threatened more but some brilliant midfield play, especially from Charlie Bailey again, and some brilliant keeping from Hewelt, again, saw us keep our lead!

What a win!

Review
It was a great win and it put us through to the next round where hopefully we would get another big draw at home. I'd now exceeded expectations of the competition and was ready to just play every game as it goes in the competition.

My focus would be required for Tuesday though as we travel to Leamington in the league, hopefully I could make it 3 wins from 3.​
 
Can we continue the form?
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The lead up to the Leamington was simple. I was going to play the same tactics we beat Kiddy with and hopefully get the same result. Bailey and Dodoo would be dropped to the bench because of fitness.

I also decided Richards wouldn't return. He had been poor under my management so I told him before the game he had to win his place back from Swain.

Leamington 0-0 Harrogate
I was convinced we should've had a penalty! Two of their players went through ours in the last 15 seconds as we looked to steal it at the last minute and their manager agreed as he stated in the interview after.

We had a couple of chances but Jordan Bove was poor. He wasted chance after chance including an open goal which he put wide. He also showed a lack of concentration as he was caught wandering rather than chasing down a defensive mistake which would've seen him through on goal.

Other than the penalty shouts it was an even game. 50/50 possession, we both had 9 shots and 6 on target. It was a good draw against a top 3 team and I was happy with the result, especially with a fitness struggle.

The only bad take away was that Lewis Turner was injured and will be out for up to 2 weeks with bruised ribs, he will definitely miss Boston.

Boston 1-1 Harrogate
With Turner out I had to make a few changes to the tactics. Hendrie was my only option at right back meaning that I had nobody to play in the defensive midfield role he occupied so I switched back to the 4-5-1 for this game.

They started the game strongly and forced us to push back and Turner being out was showing as the right side of the defence was weak for the first 20 minutes as Hendrie adapted to the role. They broke down the wing after a clearance and their left winger managed to cut into the box and slot the ball into the bottom corner.

We then did the same to them though as we broke down the left from a clearance and Swain gave the ball to Dodoo on the outside of the area and he crossed it in for Jimmy Lee to finish it with a superb header.

The rest of the game was very back and forth. Both teams could've finished with 3/4 goals each but we lost out to Dodoo being injured on the half hour mark meaning Speight came in and he was rusty after missing a few games. They just couldn't get the ball past Hewelt for a second time and he was my man of the match again!

Review

I asked Dodoo about his fitness after as he seemed to be struggling in the half an hour he played in but he said he was fine and he didn't need a rest. I'm glad he wants to play through the pain as he seems to be our best striker but at the same time I don't want him to suffer a long term injury.

I also told Bove he would be tutored by Speight as his finishing and mental side of the game were poor and he needed to improve in order to flourish here. He has bags of potential but seems to struggle to fill it for whatever reason, he is definitely playing for his place.

I'd also signed a new fitness coach, Alan Connell, after the Boston game. We needed another person to focus entirely on fitness as the other coaches were focusing on the tactics and technical training players were struggling with fitness. He would also help with general coaching as well as he was all round our best coach now.

I was now 2 points clear of relegation in 18th place and was happy with where I was going moving forward. I knew I would need to bring in a right back and a defensive midfielder in January in order to have a complete squad but also I had looked at loanee centre backs from Leeds with one possibly coming in within coming days.

I would also look at getting rid of a few players in order to sort out the wages as I was £400 over with the last manager giving too much money out to average players. If I bring in a loanee defender I can off load one and also a few of the reserve team players will be released if they can't impress me within coming weeks.​
 
Lets keep it going
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We were now unbeaten in 4 in all competitions after a rough start saw me lose 2 of my first 3. The aim here was to continue it. I didn't mind drawing games if it meant slowly climbing the table again.

Our next game was Hyde and with Turner back I reverted to the 4-1-2-3 system which saw us pick up our first league win. The 4-5-1 system was great for controlling games but we seemed to struggle to really make the most of our possession.

Harrogate 1-2 Hyde

Hyde were doing as expected so far as they currently sat in 12th place, they are expected to finish 11th. But I was worried about their main striker, Owen Story. The 31 year old was banging goals in and currently sat on 15 through 23 games in all competitions.

It was a poor start. They won a free kick 7 minutes in and in most situations it would've been passed or crossed in but our marking was superb meaning the taker had one option and he just closed his eyes and hit it. Straight at Hewelt who fumbled it into is own net.

Another set piece made it 2-0 to Hyde. This time a corner saw them somehow bundle the ball in after a poor cross seemed to just stop and fall into a group of 4 or 5 players who all just kicked at it.

At half time I knew I needed a change because the back 4, despite being covered were awful. I decided to just try and score goals and would test out my attacking 4-2-3-1 option in an attempt to try and win the game. Bailey would operate the attacking midfield role and Hendrie would push up into centre midfield. The main problem in the first half was the lack of supply for Dodoo and I thought this would help.

All I did in the team talk was give the defence a good talking to and all of them agreed they needed to concentrate and show some passion. Turner seemed to be struggling a bit in the first half so I would look at substituting him in the second depending on how it goes.

The second half started well. Within two minutes Swain had hit the post and then the ball fell back for Jimmy Lee who hit it but the shot was pushed wide by tiptoes of a defender.

On the hour I took off Dodoo who had run his heart out in any attempt to find a chance but today just wasn't his day and defenders just pushed him around and forced him out of the game. Swain went off too for Kane Richards as he had been poor, other than him hitting the post he hadn't made any threatening runs and seemed out of it. Hendrie was also tiring so I brought Lenighan on.

Yes! Speight picked up a goal after some lovely work between Meadows and Bailey. One-two, one-two, one-two lead to an easy through ball to Speight who just had to slide it either side of a poorly positioned keeper and he did. 1-2! Just one more goal!

A couple of minutes later a similar move saw Speight's shot pushed against the post by the keeper as Bailey and Meadows passed it around again before playing the killer through ball. He then had another couple of chances late on which saw a shot blocked and the bar rattling again.

In the end I was disappointed not to have picked up a point but I couldn't complain. We had cost ourselves the game in the first half with some awful defending and a lack of presence going forward. I had no idea what went wrong defensively but I can only blame myself for the attacking struggles.

The second half was better. The defence picked it up and Killock was the best player on the pitch for us. We managed to get a few pass and move moments which saw us threaten but the wingers weren't involved enough and eventually Hyde just blocked off the middle and with no threat down the wings we were stumped.

I was happy that we shut out Owen Story, the league top scorer was poor as Killock really stopped him in the second half and Hendrie dealt with him in the first half. Our problem in the first was just that their wingers were getting too much space on the inside and causing too many problems and winning set pieces.

Review
The loss sees us drop back into the relegation zone as Telford picked up a very unlikely win against top of the league Fylde which saw them rise a point above us.

Going into next week I would have to consider my options again. We look stronger defensively using the 4-5-1 formation as we control games and don't give the opposition any chances. The 4-1-2-3 formation provides cover for a poor defensive back line but leaves us with little threat moving forward. The 4-2-3-1 which we used in the second half today worked well going forward but I'm not sure how well the back 4 could cope without the cover, although that second half was the best I had seen our centre backs play since taking over.

I would also have to look at sorting out set pieces defensively. Ideally I would want to continue to develop the tactics with the squad as they were still learning them, but we were awful at defending dead balls today and it could cost us a lot in up coming games.

It would be a lot too consider and I had 3 days to do it before a game against 9th place Colwyn Bay. After the Colwyn game we have 3rd place Stockport, 21st place Workington, Tamworth in the FA Trophy and then a tough game against table toppers Fylde. Ideally from the next 5 games I would like 5 points in the league against tough opposition and to continue the cup run.​
 
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January Preview
This was not going to be an easy period. After a tough boxing day loss I will have to focus on picking up on form again and also getting the guys morale up as they were struggling to deal with being in the relegation zone when they were expected to finish 6th.

It also wouldn't help that I had my exams coming up at university. A tough period for me as well would see my levels of involvement slope a little bit but I would keep myself involved as much as possible.

We had 6 games coming up in January after we play Colwyn on the 29th of December. 3 of the 5 league games will see us face a top 5 opposition which will not be easy at all. I hope to get key wins against Workington and Telford and maybe a couple of draws from the other 3. From the Colwyn game I just want a draw, nothing less, after losing a winnable game against Hyde.

One thing I was worried about was the Workington game and being able to make it with a exam in the early afternoon the game is on the Tuesday evening. Would I have to miss it? My exam would finish at 4 whilst Workington was 3 and a half hours away via Harrogate meaning I would really have to rush out.

I had also been criticised following the Hyde game. Apparently the reason we are struggling is because our team is too young and I am relying on inexperienced heads too much and they buckle under pressure. From what I have been watching it is actually my experienced players who have been poor. Yes the younger ones have been inconsistent but they have put in better performances than the ageing players in the squad, including the experienced back 4.

Job Security
According to the boards most recent email my job is very insecure! I don't understand why, I have basically taken on a sinking ship. It isn't as if I have been given the resources to succeed.

I understand them being annoyed at me being over my wage budget but it is only £400 a week and even still I haven't got a great squad. They refused to find me another affiliate to loan players from and Leeds don't have what I need.

I had picked up form in the league but unfortunately so have the teams around me meaning it is just as tight as it was when I took over. And are they forgetting the fact I beat Kidderminster?!

If I got sacked I'm not sure where I would go from here, I mean this was my big chance to move up. Would I have to return to Ireland? Scotland? Or even go manage in the lowest divisions of Spain or France? I don't know, lets not think about it.

Transfer Window
It would be a tough transfer window with the lack of funds. I would need to look at offloading a couple of players but I don't really think there is anybody who doesn't play, I mean how can I get rid of useful players? It doesn't help that all my squad players how I would be happy to get rid of are on non-contract terms meaning they don't effect the wage budget anyway.

I needed to look for a centre back, somebody to really solidify the back 4. The type of player I was thinking is sort of an "Andy Butler" type defender. Somebody who will lead the back line and make the big plays from defence as a no nonsense defender.

I also wanted to sort out my left side. I had potential down the left but nothing great. My left back, Meynell is on £325 a week and I am convinced I can find somebody of a similar standard on a cheaper wage. Ideally as well I needed a better option than Swain, Richards was there but if I had no luck in lowering the wage budget then I would have to send him back as we are paying £325 a week.

Elsewhere...
In the premiership Man City were 5 points clear but the surprise of the season is newly promoted premier league returners Fulham and Blackburn were 7th and 8th!

In the championship Norwich were in a prime position to get promoted as they were 5 points clear of anybody whilst 2nd down to 6th were only separated by 4 points.

Sheffield United were in a tight battle in league one which saw only 3 points separate the top three which included surprise contenders Plymouth in 2nd place! My club, Walsall, were currently struggling though as they sat just 1 point above the relegation zone.

League 2 was being walked by Stevenage who had given themselves an 8 point lead with only 1 loss in 22 games. Gateshead were the surprise package though as they occupied the final play off space.

Only 2 points were between the top 3 in the conference which saw Lincoln ahead of relegated Southend and Exeter. I was most surprised by the fact that Kidderminster were bottom!

My last team Ards were currently fighting out for promotion as they found themselves in 4th 3 points off the top meaning I left a great legacy there.​
 
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I woke up to an email this morning from Sky Sports asking me if I would be interested in joining them for an interview in the afternoon. It was short notice but they said they would come to the ground and conduct it there.

I said yes. They were continuing to expand their coverage of the conference and I was willing to conduct an interview if it meant helping the lower leagues, club and my career.

Oh and I would get to meet Jim White!

"Welcome back, we are now being joined by the current Harrogate Town manager K.Mitchell. Hello"

Hello, nice to be here.

"So we are here today to talk about your career and ambitions as well as looking at what is an unusually odd situation for a manager"

Alrighty then, ask away.

"Firstly I need to ask this. How on earth do you manage and go to university at the same time?!"

It has been made easier by the fact I am just resitting a year, I know my stuff but I rushed it last time round to make sure I could get the management job at Clyde.

"And how have the club reacted to this, do they agree with what you are doing?"

It was actually their idea. After being out of the game for so long I decided to take the offer from university to resit in case my management career was over. When Harrogate contacted me they said they were fine with me continuing university alongside managing the team.

"How does that even work though?"

Well they are only a semi-professional club meaning all the players are on part time. The club offered to bring in a number of new staff members in order to help out with training and other bits whilst I was in uni and they also offered to fit the schedule around my times which the players are happy to do.

"Ah okay, so the club have really supported you?"

Yes actually. They said when they first called me that I had been a target since sacking their manager and as long as I was willing to stay for a couple of years at least they were willing to support me in other areas.

"Brilliant! Next though, your career has been tough so far by the looks of it, can you explain the moving around?"

It hasn't necessarily been moving around, Clyde had offered me the job after hearing about my quick coaching license achievements and they said they were impressed and wanted me to take the job. Ards also saw the same and were happy with what they had seen at Clyde so offered me the role.

"Now take no offence to this, why all the resignations?"

Well at Clyde they weren't supportive. They had told me I would be given housing and after 3 months they told me that I was on my own and kicked me out, at that point I felt like I was just doing them a favour. They then seemed to underestimate what I was doing for them and decided to give me an ultimatum to resign or be sacked and I thought a resignation would look better than being fired.

At Ards it was a happy mutual thing. I was a bit annoyed when we were coming to the end of the season and hadn't been offered a contract, I felt I did brilliantly getting them to a final and overachieving in another cup and the league. But after the season they offered me a new contract which I turned down, the time of being annoyed made me evaluate where I was and despite loving the job and loving where I was I wasn't with the people I wanted to be with so decided to move on and the board understood.

"Ah okay, so what about the long period inbetween jobs how has that affected you?"

At first I was struggling to understand. The way I'd seen it was that I had done brilliant work at both clubs and deserved a chance in England so when getting turned down it was a bit of a tough shot to take but then I realised that this was really management.

I mean it sort of clicked, I was a young manager with no playing experience, little managing experience and no real success. Once I realised that I almost grew up, realised there wasn't always going to be a job handed to me so I became more determined and it paid off.

"Yeah and now you are here what do you want to do?"

My aim for this season is to avoid the drop, the board want top half but looking at where they were when I came in I don't think that is an easy achievement. Once we have done that I want to succeed here, get them up a league or two and pay the club back for what they have given me, after all they have given me a chance nobody else was willing to.

Long term the aim is to achieve success, achieve greatness. I haven't had the easiest path into management. A lot of top managers are ex-players, former coaches where as I am just a kid with a couple of licenses and a dream to be a successful manager.

"One final question, would you ever like to manage Walsall?"

Well not many people will know but Walsall are my favourite side, I followed them everywhere as a kid watching games home and away for years and I still do now when I have the chance to. I suppose yes I would like to manage them one day, everybody dreams about managing their favourite club and it is no different for me as a Walsall fan.

"Alright thank you, that is all we have time for now, good luck with your career and in the search for success!"

Thanks Jim

"Now for more news on Andy Murray pursuing a career as a bin man!"

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Poor end to the year
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Colwyn Bay 3-1 Harrogate

It was time for the last game of the year, away to Colwyn Bay. As I said after the boxing day loss to Hyde I would have to make a few decisions about players and tactics.

For this game I decided to start with the 4-1-2-3 again, Colwyn were 9th so I was expecting to have to defend well and build from the back.

6 minutes in though they opened the scoring, some awful concentration at the back saw an easy finish for Marc Williams. They then controlled play for the next 10 minutes, passing it around me and forcing me to chase the ball.

So I changed to 4-5-1 on the 15 minute mark. I thought if I can try and control the game from midfield then I can press more and stop them from passing around me as the back 4 will only have to be there as a clearing line, it also meant the full backs could get involved going forward in an attempt to win the game down the wings.

This worked for 30 minutes until just before half time. The back 4 had been doing brilliantly at stepping up and clearing the ball out to midfield but another lack of concentration as they almost stopped in anticipation of the whistle saw Colwyn get a second. The full backs hadn't come back from an attack leaving the two central defenders alone to defend, a ball over the top saw them lose out on pace and Williams had another easy chance to get his second.

I couldn't believe it at half time though, they were all laughing as if they were winning 2/3-0. Just as I was about to tell them to get their fingers out their arses the Matt, the assistant manager did it for me and they listen with a lot of them seeming to realise what was actually going on out there.

I changed to 4-2-3-1 to try and win the game back by just attacking and this saw a strong start to the second half as a minute in we hit the post twice.

The only problem was Colwyn had already figured us out, they seemed to know everything we were going to try in order to win the game and they stopped it. And to be honest it wasn't helped by how poor our players were.

The game had sort of fizzled out when Colwyn grabbed their 3rd in the 90th minute, some scrappy, and quite frankly, poor defending saw them with another easy goal, this time Kyle Hardman. Speight added a goal for us in the 91st minute but I didn't care.

It was silent in the dressing room after, they knew they were poor and they knew that I was not happy. How on earth did we not get a point, it isn't even as if Colwyn were good we were just awful. Our highest rated player on the pitch was our keeper with 6.2, 6.2!

I didn't even say anything, they knew what I was thinking and they knew what needed to be fixed. I just walked out and left them to it.

Review
To be honest we deserve to be in the relegation zone after that performance. There was only one team below us in Histon who were basically already down.

We cannot put any more performances in like that, I mean all I wanted was a point and I had set up the tactics to earn a point but the team just didn't care, it seemed like they'd rather be at home. I get it, it's the festive period, you want to be celebrating at home but this is your job not a hobby and you are paid to play your heart out.

One thing that was clear now is that I knew there were some players who could go. Some of these performances made it clear that they don't deserve contracts and to be honest coming up to January, after a performance like that I am happy to get rid of players and build my own squad.​
 
Happy New Year!
View attachment 907885
It wasn't necessarily a happy new year for me as I was spending my new years eve alone at home figuring out contracts in order to try and lower the wage bill so I didn't get the sack for making the club go bankrupt.

The first job was to inform Chester I would be terminating the loan of Kane Richards. He is a good young player but he has been inconsistent since my arrival and he isn't adding anything to the team. With other wingers developing well I could afford to let him go especially as I was paying him £325 a week! He'd only scored 1 and got 2 assists in 11 starts so he wasn't worth keeping.

This meant a new contract for Louie Swain. The young winger had bee alright since I took over and he would play a important role for the rest of the season as I aim to avoid relegation. He can play anywhere on the left side and is developing well so I gave him a 1 and a half year, £200 a week contract.

Then it was to decide between Bove and Speight. Bove had been poor for me and he was supposed to be one of my best players whilst Speight had managed to become top scorer on 8 goals. Bove is on £325 a week whilst Speight is on £550, the top earner. I had Dodoo who had done well since arriving and Speight had age against him as he is 30 whilst Bove is developing quickly and still has room to develop into a great player so I decided it would be Speight to leave.

Now I had to make a move on keepers. Hewelt, Gyollai and Heath. All young, all great prospects and all good players. Hewelt was staying as he has been one of the best players for me since taking over and even though he is our highest paid keeper I cannot release him. Gyollai is a year younger than Hewelt and has just as much experience. Heath would be the one to leave as he was the oldest and his £100 a week was too much for somebody who is the same quality as our reserve keepers who could step in whilst Gyollai returns from injury.

There are still a few players on non-contract terms but their future would be decided based on whether or not I manage to add anything in January as if I struggle to add they will be useful players, or they could end up being squad players wasting talent.

Outgoing
Kane Richards- Loan Terminated
Jake Speight- Contract Terminated
Ben Heath- Contract Terminated

New Contract
Louie Swain- 1 and a half year, £200 a week deal

Non-Contract
Matt Heath
Jack Sowerby
Lloyd Kerry (wanted by Leamington)

First Day of 2016
It was a tough morning, telling the guys that Richards would return to Chester and Speight and Heath were leaving was not easy. They all seemed annoyed about Speight leaving but I personally think he makes no difference to our survival as other players can step up and do the same job as he does, it just takes confidence and that is what I instilled in them today as I told them we will avoid the drop and fight for promotion next season.

Some of them seemed to find that funny where as some of them agree, it was useful the captain agreed as he told everybody it was possibly with the squad we have and the potential, I'm glad he is here to back me up as Lockwood, our assistant manager, is ill at the moment meaning I don't have my usual support.​
 
New Year, New Signings
View attachment 909089
It had been a busy start to 2016. I had been in discussions early in December to try and bring three players in on free transfers and on the second of January I managed to close all 3 deals.

The first was of 20 year old Charlie Ward who was signed till 2017 on £150 per week. He would be a prospect and hopefully develop well behind a strong midfield. Next season would likely be his first chance to shine as he needs to develop before being ready.

Then I added 20 year old striker Tom Heardman on a freebie. A great prospect but also a brilliant player for this level, he would add to the strike force which now includes Dodoo and an quickly progressing Jordan Bove. The 3 of them would likely rotate in a one or two striker system for the rest of this year. He would be on £300 a week until 2017.

The final deal was the most important, important enough to get the board to expand my wage budget (AFTER LOWERING IT!). Anthony Furlong was a defender who could play on the right or in the middle. The 22 year old was highly thought of at Chester but he hadn't developed enough this season and I managed to get him on a freebie on £325 per week.

So three key signings who would hopefully help avoid relegation this season. I was definitely most excited about Furlong as he would be a key starter and either strengthen the centre of defence or allow Turner to move into the middle. I'd decide that later on.

Harrogate 1-1 Stockport
A good draw against a top 3 team. None of the signings were ready for this game. Stockport took the lead early on and continued to try push for a second in the first half but the defence tightened up a lot after their goal. The second half saw us attack more and force them to sit back a bit, they tried to hit us on the counter but a strong defensive performance stopped this. We then scored from a corner, McGurk with the header from a brilliant cross.

Tamworth 1-1 Harrogate (FA Trophy)
A good performance including 2 of the 3 new players. Furlong made his debut at right back with Turner replacing McGurk in the middle. Heardman also started up front with Bove. Bove put us 1-0 up on the hour but before we could finish celebrating they got an equaliser which would set up the replay.

Harrogate 3-4 Tamworth (FA Trophy) AET
A very interesting game. 4-4-2 again and a few changes from the original games starting 11 due to fitness. Lenighan put us 1-0 up and we kept this lead for 20 minutes before they made it 1-1. Heardmans first goal made it 2-1 only for them to score minutes later for 2-2. They opened up the second half quickly and went 3-2 up but a late own goal saw it go to extra time.

A tightly contested extra time saw them get the winner in the 109th minute. A big worry is all four of their goals coming from corners, something I would have to work on in training.

Review
Great few signings and the two that have featured have played well. Ward will probably get a chance in the next couple of games with the FA Trophy replay being the first of 3 games in 5 days.

The 4-4-2 system seems to be working as we are pressing more and stopping the opposition from scoring for fun. We need to work on set pieces if we are going to avoid relegation as all 6 goals conceded over the last 3 games have been from corners whilst none of our 5 scored have been from set pieces, big issue!

Good point in the league against Stockport who are going for promotion and a good effort in the FA Trophy, unlucky to go out but we cost ourselves in corners.

I came out of my exam to be greeted by a message from Matt saying the Workington game had been called off and would be rescheduled adding to an already busy fixture list for January. Hopefully we can pick up a win there before facing 3 of the top 4 in the next 4 games as well as fellow strugglers Telford.

Wins are a must against Workington and Telford whilst the other three games I would be more than happy to come out of each with a draw.​
 
Fighting Fitness
View attachment 909222
The next couple of games were going to be tough due to fitness. We now had the second and third of the 3 games in 5 days.

Workington 1-1 Harrogate
It was a tough game. We had a fully rotated side due to injuries and fitness which saw Charlie Ward get his first start since arriving and also Sowerby and McCormick appear together up top as our first 3 choice strikers were all deemed unfit to start by Alan Connell the fitness coach.

We went 1-0 up through McCormick as he had a cross deflected in off of 3 players, somehow he was given the goal but I took it. They equalised early in the second half in a fashion which made me burst with anger as they failed to defend another corner!

Jimmy Lee missed a penalty late on which would've claimed all 3 points but I am happy with a point as Heath and Meadows both went off about 70 minutes in meaning we ended the game with 9 men.

Harrogate 1-2 AFC Fylde
Fylde were fighting for top spot and still with a few injury and fitness concerns I just wanted another draw from this game. They went 1-0 up after some brilliant passing play which saw the first goal scored against us in open play in a long time.

Heardman scored another for us with a nice finish from outside the box but unfortunately they scored a second half free kick to claim the points. We did have one final chance with a penalty but Jimmy Lee, AGAIN, missed the spot kick meaning we went away empty handed.

Review
A tough couple of results to take but in the first game we were just unlucky and the second game we lost to a better opposition. However I can't help but feel we should've had 4 points rather than 1 from the two games so it is tough to take.

One thing I do know, Jimmy Lee is no longer taking penalties.​
 
View attachment 909225
I came into the training session this morning to be greeted by the board. I wasn't sure why but they immediately told me the training session had been moved to this afternoon as they had more pressing matters to talk about.

I asked them why they moved training without my consent but they just told me to meet them in their office once I had sorted all my stuff out...

"So you have been here for a few months now and we are still struggling, why shouldn't we sack you?"

Wait what?! That's why you have called me in here. I haven't had an easy run exactly. The last manager left the club in a state and now I am basically fighting for whatever I can!

"You were told to make a top half finish, we are still in the relegation zone!"

It is tight, we haven't had easy fixtures and the congested schedule has seen a lot of injuries and fitness problems. We have had to basically rebuild what was a poor squad left by the last manager and they are just starting to gel under my new tactics. You watched the last two games, we should've come away with a lot more but we were just unlucky with fitness!

"You have gone 9 games without a win, 9! You have only managed to draw 5 of them and it isn't good enough. We were expected to make the playoffs and we are being embarrassed as a club. This is your fault!"

How?! How is this my fault! The last manager left an absolute mess behind, I have sorted out the finances and done what I can. We have struggled for fitness and we have had no easy games since I arrived. I exceeded expectations in the FA Trophy which included a win against a higher division team. How can you be discussing sacking me?!

//And then I said one thing which automatically made them end the meeting and apologise...//

When I signed for this club you asked me if I was here for the long run and I said yes. I was willing to put higher tier football on standby to promise a few years here at least. Why should I stay here if you aren't willing to put your trust in me for the long term?

If we are relegated at the seasons end then sack me, it might be the end of my managerial career but sack me. It isn't going to happen though because we are surviving and then we will thrive.

//The board just showed me out without saying anything other than sorry. I can't believe what they had just said to me, how could they consider it!//​
 
View attachment 909229
I couldn't believe the board after this morning so I automatically told the lads I wanted them in now for a team meeting. I told them that they were expected better of and needed to do better to fight against relegation. We were not going down and they agreed.

With morale up and a bit of passion and fight from the squad hopefully I could start to turn things back around.

Chorley 0-1 Harrogate
4th in the league! They are 4th in the league! What a boring game.

We were basically playing for a draw and had all but earned it. We sat back and invited pressure with a healthy squad and then they came at us and we defended brilliantly. And just as everybody thought it was over, CHARLIE WARD! The 20 year old backup midfielder scored a brilliant goal from about 30 yards out to win the game in the 92nd minute!

Harrogate 1-2 Telford
A game we should've won but it was a brilliant effort by Telford. We had gone 1-0 down but Bailey equalised in the 80th minute. They managed to sneak a winner in the 89th minute. They were the better team though, they dominated the midfield and their back 4 was absolutely faultless.

I couldn't complain about losing today because we were just outmatched.

Review
Unfortunately after the Telford game I got an email from Morecambe, Bailey's parent club saying they were recalling him as they thought it was time to test him out at a higher level. Now I can't say I'm not upset cause he has been a key player for me in the system I have played but we have capable replacements.

As for the table we were now 19th and out of the relegation zone on goal difference. I wished we had of managed a point against Telford as we would've then been a point ahead of them in 18th but we were outclassed and they deserved the win.

February now saw us play four games all against top half oppositions meaning it would be a tough month but after the brilliant win against Chorley I expected more of the same this month as we looked to climb out of the relegation scrap.​
 
Freaky February
View attachment 909829
Stalybridge 2-0 Harrogate
This is a tough result to take. We dominated the first 10 minutes before Charlie Bailey got an injury which would end his time with Harrogate. Ward came on and did okay but the top of the table side won a penalty in the 21st minute to go 1-0 up. We struggled to create clear chances until late on when we threw everything at them and we almost equalised but they hit us on the break and made it 2-0.

Harrogate 0-1 Guiseley
Another tough loss to take as we hit the post twice. Meadows came in and was brilliant on his return from injury as he replaces Bailey. We should've been able to stop the goal but they scrambled around the ball and swung legs at it, sure there was a foul or two. Now 6 points from safety after other teams play games in hands.

Tom Heardman - Bruised Ribs - 8-12 days

Board Meeting
The board called me in for another meeting about my job. This time they set me a target to get 11 points from the next 5 games, 3 wins 2 draws or 4 wins. Not going to be easy as we face 9th, 7th, 22nd, 12th and 19th. A win against Histon (22nd) and Hednesford (19th) are a must as they will be key to survival and otherwise I can see relegation being almost certain.

Team Meeting
I called the guys in for a meeting before the game against Gainsbourough which is the first of the 5 I had to earn 11 points from. I told them we needed to pick up form and win a few of the next matches to survive and win our pride back. I also went over tactics and that we would be reverting back to our original 4-5-1 but playing counter football for this game.

Gainsbourough 1-2 Harrogate
Boom! The counter was working. We hit them fast on the break by launching out to Lee who worked 1-2's with Dodoo before he ran through and could only be stopped by being kicked down in the area for a penalty which he converted for 1-0! A brilliant free-kick made it 1-1, it was an unstoppable effort from 40 yards out and we just had to fight back now.

The second half saw us take the lead again. A brilliant ball in from a Turner free kick saw the first shot hit the post before substitute Ward knocked it in for 2-1! Get in! We clung on for the final half an hour and our best performance in ages saw us claim our first win in 4. We moved 4 points from safety.

Harrogate 2-2 Alfreton
The build up for the final game of February was tense. I would use the same tactics which earned us the win against Gainsborough. The extra instructions seemed to make it harder for them to break us down and stop us from getting forward quickly. I was also going for the same lineup for the game.

The game had been deemed as "El Sackico" by the media as we were both under pressure as manager despite them being 7th their recent form had seen them drop out of the top 5.

The counter worked again! One big ball forward to Dodoo saw him through on goal and he slotted it past the keeper for 1-0! Unfortunately they equalised quickly with a similar goal. This was followed by a screamer to give them a 2-1 lead. Build up from a throw in late in the second half saw us equalise through Bove. I tried to press for a winner but we couldn't hit a third.​
 
Three Big Games
View attachment 909854
Harrogate 1-0 Histon
I decided, same tactics and same players for this game. But if we hadn't broken through against bottom of the league at half time it would be more attacking. Dodoo got injured early on meaning Bove would come into the game in the first half.

It was 0-0 at half time setting up an attacking formation now, same 4-5-1 but push forward more. Killock scored from a corner early in the second half to make it 1-0. We clung onto the lead for another win, our second in 3. We were now 3 points from safety.

Brackley 0-0 Harrogate
The youth intake was this week and there were some very strong players including a 15 year old striker who is ready to backup the first team already and a couple of attacking midfielders. All of them will go into the under 21 squad for now, may try them out if we clinch safety early.

The first half was slow so I took the same approach as I did for the Histon game and went attacking at the half. The second half was just as boring and neither side could get a chance to win the game despite throwing everything forward meaning it finished 0-0. We were now two points from safety but I had to win my next game in order to keep my job.

Harrogate - Hednesford
Massive game for me in order to keep my job. A win keeps it and it is a must to keep the fight for survival on as well, I would hate to get sacked whilst we are hitting form under the right system. The same team again in an attacking style this time in an attempt to win the game early on and then defend a lead.

It was a boring first 45 minutes except for one move where Killock played a perfect ball from the edge of our box straight through to Dodoo who ran past the defenders and keeper to slot it home for 1-0! They equalised just after half time though. And then got lucky with a volley which hit a defender and a post before going in to take a 2-1 lead.

I was going all out now, I had to win this game. A stupid tackle by Lee gave them a penalty in the 80th minute which they converted for 3-1. Bove made it 3-2 with 2 minutes left but as we threw everything forward they hit us on the counter for 4-2.

Only 3 points from safety still but I could feel my job vanishing away as I walked towards the dressing room, I took one last look and whispered "bye bye Harrogate" to myself as I walked away.

8 points in 5 games was a good return considering who we played so I had a glimmer of hope.​
 
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