WEYMOUTH could hardly have had a longer away trip on the final day of the season than a visit to Hartlepool, but at least it gave rookie manager Brian Stock plenty of time to reflect on an unforgettable first season in the dugout – and look to the future.
Plucked from Bournemouth’s academy to replace Southend-bound Mark Molesley, who had guided the Terras to back-to-back promotions to reach Non-League’s top tier, the 39-year-old knew from the off that he was taking on an almighty challenge.
The part-timers would be mixing it with a host of full-time ex-Football League clubs desperate to reclaim their place among the top 92. The spectre of Covid also hung over the season, but not even Stock could have predicted how it would affect the Dorset club.
An impressive 2-1 win at high-flying Stockport at the end of October made for a solid seven points from seven games in a hectic opening month of the season and left them mid-table. However, a nasty shock was to follow.
“It was a really good team performance, but virtually everyone contracted the virus after that,” he said. “Only one player – Tom Whelan (now at Chesterfield) – didn’t get it and he drove to the game himself, so maybe it was to do with the air conditioning on the bus.
“You hear about some clubs coming into contact with Covid – maybe it’s a player or the manager – but I haven’t heard of many where the whole squad has had it.
“It affected everyone and we had members of staff in hospital. After two weeks some of our players still couldn’t train and it took us ages to get back up to speed. We suffered big-time in the five games after that. Hopefully that won’t happen again!”
この記事は The Non-League Football Paper の May 30, 2021 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Non-League Football Paper の May 30, 2021 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
DOWSE FANS THE FLAMES
BOSS HAS HIS FIRE BACK
GAFFER DUTTON SALUTES YOUNG GUNS
SALISBURY may be kings of the late goal, but when Tony Lee put AFC Totton 1-0 up in the 78th-minute of the playoff final even manager Brian Dutton had his doubts.
THE BREAK IS OVER AS BRAKES GO BACK UP...
PAUL Holleran says Leamington are relishing another crack at National League football after enjoying a “gap year” at Step 3.
THAT ONE WAS JUST FOR YOU, CHIEF
PROUD Enfield Town boss Gavin Macpherson believes their promotion to National League South is a fitting tribute to ‘pioneer’ Dave Bryant.
BROMLEY BOYS ARE IN THE BIG TIME
HOW ABOUT these Bromley boys? The club immortalised in a much-loved book-turned film have been promoted to the EFL for the first time in their 132-year history.
'APPRENTICE' WOODMAN GETS REWARD FOR LOYALTY
ANDY WOODMAN has had history on his mind.
MY LADS ARE JUST 'EXTRA' SPECIAL!
WATCH OUT National League big boys, the Pub Team from Essex is back!
SPIREITES IN TUNE WITH DRUM-MOND
KANE DRUMMOND says he has been offered a “life-changing opportunity” after landing a dream move into the Football League with Chesterfield.
OLD PALS GIVE JOHN A ROOST
NEW Buxton manager John McGrath is calling on friends in high places as the ambitious Bucks gear up for a first-ever season of fulltime football.
AT LAST, OUR CUP HEROES HAVE EARNED THEIR SPURS
“THE BEST moment ever – better than playing Tottenham”.