In the third of our new series, we ask some of Non-League’s top bosses to name the gaffers who made the biggest impact on their playing days.
It is a testament to his legacy that Gary Hackett is perhaps as well-known for his 16 years as manager of Stourbridge as he is for his playing career.
Starting out in Non-League, the diminutive Black Country lad was picked up by Shrewsbury Town from Bromsgrove Rovers in 1983 before spells at Aberdeen, West Bromwich Albion, Peterborough United and Chester City.
He moved into management with Redditch United and Bromsgrove before heading back to rebuild Stourbridge after the previous boss Joe Jackson and many players left following two Midland Football Alliance titles that could not yield promotion due to ground grading.
Two promotions would follow in Hackett’s era with the Glassboys going so close to a third but it was the FA Cup exploits that really put the club back on the map, including wins over Plymouth Argyle and Northampton Town, the latter resulting in the club’s first appearance in the third round proper.
And while Hackett’s greatest gaffer comes from his professional days, it is fitting that it is a man who was plucked from Stourbridge as a player.
WHO WAS YOUR GREATEST GAFFER AND WHY?
It is very difficult but one guy I enjoyed playing under was Chic Bates at Shrewsbury. He is a Black Country lad like me and played at Stourbridge, he was player-coach under Graham Turner when I joined.
Being from the same area and having both come through Non-League football, he knew me, looked after me, and was always very positive towards me.
This story is from the June 14, 2020 edition of The Non-League Football Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 14, 2020 edition of The Non-League Football Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
WIN SETS UP FINAL MATCH TO SAVOUR!
THE Millers finished their home campaign in fine style with a win against a deflated Herne Bay side, whose play-off hopes disappeared last weekend following their home defeat against Sheppey.
TAYLOR'S DOUBLE SILENCES MARTYRS
AFC TOTTON continued their push to the top of the play-off picture as they triumphed over Merthyr Town.
HORNETS HEROES STUN THE CHATS!
HORSHAM kept their promotion hopes alive with a convincing victory against their potential play-off opponents.
LONG WAIT FOR HYDE AFTER HOME VICTORY
HYDE UNITED ended their league campaign with a win thanks to a brace from Matt Fearnley.
FIVE-STAR STONES STUN SAD BEAVERS
HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOROUGH had their play-off hopes dashed after they were thrashed by Maidstone United.
IT'S ALL OVER FOR GARRARD AS FLEET SEND WOOD DOWN
LUKE GARRARD’S last stand as Boreham Wood manager ended in relegation as Ebbsfleet United secured their National League status – just – on a tense final day.
KEV HAS PRIDE DESPITE A FALL
SOUTHEND United's faint play-off hopes were ultimately taken out of their hands by FC Halifax Town but they failed to keep their side of the equation by going down to Rochdale at Roots Hall.
HORNETS GOT SUCH A BUZZ!
DOM DI PAOLA has claimed the Football Association's decision to do away with replays in the FA Cup from the first round proper onwards is 'destroying their own competition'.
IT'S ABOUT CREATING MEMORIES
STEVE McKimm says the FA Cup replay storm isn’t about money – it’s the chance to make memories just like Cray Valley PM did this season.
A MARATHON EFFORT, JOE!
Robins ace runs London gauntlet after injury hell
