Worcester city – Memoirs of a Non League Gaffer

[adthefox]

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Worcester city have appointed Adam Fox as manager for the start of the 09/10 Blue Square South season. The youngster, unemployed since leaving a coaching role at Newport County
said , “I’m ecstatic to be taken on in this role. It really is a dream come true and I cannot wait to get started and make my mark.”

Worcester have been languishing In the basement of non league football for the majority of their history and many believe Fox will be no different to the other managers that have taken the reigns. Early predictions put Worcester in a relegation dog fight something Fox is not scared of facing. “I understand the challenge that I have undertaken and I will relish this opportunity to prove myself. Having to fight for survival is something that I hope will bring out the passion in the lads and have them working their socks off every game for the fans.” Its thought Fox will have a fight on his hands to win over the dressing room with sources close to the club saying a number of players don’t feel he has the experience to take the club further.
Exciting times ahead for Worcester City under Fox? Only time will tell. The ultimate goal must be reaching the football league and then cementing a place that they can build on.

(Unfortunately I started this story before discovering this forum so the first season will not contain as many screen shots as would be expected for a story. I apologise for this and hope to make up for it for the rest of the story. The first season is mainly what I can recall from memory)

Season 1 - Blue Square South 09/10

When I took over at Worcester there was a lot of local media saying I wasn’t up for the job, that I lacked experience managing at this level. Ill be the first to admit this. What a mess I made in that first season. Over the summer I brought in a few loan and free signings to strengthen the current squad. Unfortunately I seem to have lost my season notes for that first year in charge. Anyway luckly I have a good memory so Ill go into as much detail as possible.


Notable Transfers

In

Ben Fairclough –Striker - Loan – Ben , who was at Notts County at the time, was being watched by a couple of teams when I brought him to Worcester. I signed him on a 3 month loan as Rob Elvins was out for a few months after a ligament injury. He scored 13 goals in the time he was with us but once Elvins returned I had no need to keep him in the team. He was released by Notts County but went on to make his mark with Burton.

Mark Scott – Goalkeeper - Loan – Scott was brought in as I didn’t feel the previous keeper Meredith was strong enough to keep goal. He preformed very well for me during the first few months and I was sad to see him leave but I had a young keeper, Mace, who filled his boots rather well for the second half of the season.

Adam Brown – Defender – Free – On my arrival I had no strength at right back so Adam was one of my better signings. He preformed exceptionally well all season and became on of my rocks in defence for a few seasons.

Joey Jones – Midfield – Free – I needed some creativity in midfield and Jones was the man to do it. Signed in January and finished as one of the highest rated players by the end of the season. I credit Joey with turning our season around as we were in free fall during December.

Out

Craig Willdig – Striker – Free – Me and Craig never saw eye to eye. He thought that he was the number one striker in the squad. I gave him chance after chance but he never preformed. Eventually he was never picked in my starting line up and I was glad to let him go. Very disruptive to the team with his arrogance. As of January 2011, the last time anyone from Worcester spoke to him, he still hadn’t found a team

Overview

I wish I had those notes from my first season as I could tell you each result. Unfortunately I have miss placed them. Anyway, we eventually finished 10th, having played 42 with 15 wins, 9 draws, 19 losses. I was lucky that first season. Over achieving for a large part, deep down I knew it would fade and I was right. I tried to make out I was pleased with our final position but as I was trying to build my reputation up I felt disappointed I didn’t reach promotion. Getting the automatic spot was my dream for the first season, it was not to be. I kept my sights on the 10/11 season and I had great plans.



Just like to say a thank you to Kris who is writing Memoirs of a Solvak. Upon seeing the title of his story I thought I'd contact him to see if he was alright with me posting my story. Cheers Kris

Pre season and August coming soon for the 10/11 season.

 

[adthefox]

Season 2 – Blue Square North

We were required to move in my second season at Worcester to the blue square north division. This offered me a new challenge, new teams and new players. I felt a tactic change was necessary. I decided to opt for a 4 – 5 – 1 as I felt, in the first season, 2 strikers were not working. I decided a bit of creativity in midfield was what was needed and I knew Addiggo would be clinical in front of goal with the right players supplying him.

Notable Transfers

In

Tom Moncour and Phil Starkey – Defenders – Free – I brought in these 2 to be my rocks in the center. After loosing so many games in the 09/10 season I wanted a rock solid defence. I already had Browne on the right who was performing exceptionally and these two would really add to the squad.

Paul Heckingbottom – Defender – Free – Paul was the last piece of my defensive puzzle. At 33 he wasn’t getting younger and I felt he was a bargain. Loads of experience and he could command the back line. I named him as captain as soon as he arrived.

Paul Phillips – Goalkeeper – Free – Our young goalkeeper Mace didn’t have the experience to be our number one so I went hunting and found Phillips. He was an exceptional player at this level.

Kyle Hadley and Sean Evens – Midfielders – 3k each – The first bit of money Id spend since arriving at Worcester. Id let a few backup players go and the board allowed me to use the wage money Id saved to splash out a bit. As I’d changed to a 4-5-1 I needed to attacking wingers to add some width to our game.

Out

Mark McGregor and Matt Dinsmore – Strikers – Free – Mark was a great guy and had started a number of games for me but with Elvins back and Adaggio hitting the net with ease I just didn’t have a place for either of them anymore.


I had my team in place and I was happy with it. In my opinion id signed some real gems. Gems that I hoped would provide me with my dream season. I remember giving a conference at the beginning of the season. Actually here is the clipping.
“Many saw us as over achievers last season but I do not. The group of lads here could have achieved so much more; they had the passion and the quality. This year some of those lads are gone but in their place are players with more passion and more quality. I am confident that this is our season.”

What can I say, I was young, still learning my trade. Talking to the media was never a strong point for me in those early days. Heely, Worcesters assistant manager at the time used to do all my pre and post match press conferences. Id only attend if I was unveiling a new player. That was me back then. Young, brash, confident. I didn’t think the press deserved my time, getting promotion was all that mattered.


Pre Season Results

Vs GH Academy ​

Home​

0-0 ​

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Vs Hereford​

Home​

1-0
Goal scorer(s) – Jordan Fitzpatrick​

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Vs Bedford
Away​

1-2
Goals scorer(s) – Rob Elvins, Mike Wardle​

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Vs Grays​

Home​

1-1​

Goal scorer(s) – Kyle Hadley​

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Vs Windsor & Eton​

Away​

0-1
Goal scorer(s) – Marco Adaggio​

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Vs Mangotsfield​

Away​

2-2
Goal scorer(s) – Rob Davis, Matt Birley​

Preseason Overview

We hadn’t lost a game and I was pleased with the small amount we’d conceded but not with the amount we’d scored. There was obviously work to be done upfront before the start of the season but I didn’t have long.

Season 2 – Blue Square North 10/11 – August

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Results

Vs Solihull Moors​

Home ​

2-0​

Goal scorer(s) – Michael Wardle, Theo Streete o.g.​

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Cracking start to the campaign. Still lacked conviction upfront and it took an own goal to seal the 3 points. I was never in doubt of loosing as we dominated the game throughout.​

Vs Hyde
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Away​

0-1​

Goal scorer(s) – Marco Adaggio​

​

A cracking win for us that day. Away from home the team really did well. They bossed the game and the defence was rock solid again. It was nice to see Marco get the goal and I hoped our attacking game would improve from here.

​

Vs Stalybridge​

Home​

1-0​

Goal scorer(s) – Marco Adaggio​

Marco again getting another goal. Hes really started to find his feet and with the midfield controlling the game he wasn’t short of chances. Defence aswell were extrodinary. Every player rated high in my books that day. Ive written down here in my notes 7/10 for each of them.

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Vs Braintree​

Away​

1-1​

Goal Scorer(s) – Marco Adaggio​

3 games on the trot he’***** the net. Wonderful form he was on in that August. We’d fallen behind early on and the lads really stuck in the second half to pull it back. We were unlucky to draw really.

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Vs Llkeston​

Away​

0-2​

Goal Scorer(s) – Marco Adaggio (2)​

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The boy was really on fire but so were our defence. Again Browne had but in a cracking performance on the right and earned man of the match.​

August Overview

Played 5, won 4, drew 1, lost 0

Not one game lost. The defence were solid only conceding 1 goal and Adaggio had netted 5 of our 7 goals. What a start for us. I could have been made to eat my words from pre season had we not preformed in august. Luckily for me we did exceptionally well.

 

[Jake]

closed by request