Ebbsfleet United (The 2nd League Team in Kent??)

Well that was that, over 30 years served in The Royal Air Force and it only felt like yesterday when Mum and Dad took me to Rainham train station and waved me off!! Before I had left loads of friends were asking me what will you do when you finish, I said "I haven't got a clue", but I had managed to use my resettlement grants on some FIFA Coaching courses. I had also played a lot of football in my time in the RAF and had gone on to manage a few teams when I had hung up my boots, but i had not done anything I called prolific in the management scene.

Like most people I had sent my CV to countless agencies and at the slightest hint of a manager being sacked I had sent it into the club involved but had received not even a letter back saying thanks but no thanks.

Was I dreaming that? I thought I had heard a knock at the door, I sat up and listened and sure enough another knock but this time louder, "OK, OK, I am on my way" I shouted as I reached the top of the stairs. I opened the door and said "Hello", "Mr Matthews" came the reply, "Please, let me introduce myself, I am Peter Danzey, Club Secretary at Ebbsfleet United, do you have a problem with your phone?", on that I quickly felt down to my shorts and looked at my phone, 7 missed calls and 4 messages, however, the phone was on silent. "Grrrrr" I moaned, "Sorry, that's a hang up from my previous job, I always had my phone on silent when in work", "Would you like to come in?" I asked.

Peter Danzey (PD): "Mr Matthews, You will probably be wondering why I am here this morning?"
Ian Matthews (IM): "Errrrm, I am a bit, I hope it's good news?"
PD: "I am here on behalf of the Chairman, and he would like to offer you the job of becoming the new Ebbsleet United manager".
IM: "I hope this isn't a wind up, as you are doing a great job in reeling me in" I nervously laughed.
PD: "No Sir, this is not a wind up, it is a genuine offer, We at the club would like to see it become the 2nd League club in Kent"
IM: "You do know that I am a lifelong Gillingham fan?"
PD: "Yes, we do, we have seen your Facebook page!"
IM: "Ah, all good I hope?"
PD: "Well Mr Matthews, do you accept the offer, or would you like some time to consider it?"
IM: "If you don't mind, can I sleep on it and I'll get back to you tomorrow?"
PD: "That should be ok, no later than 10am please, as we will need to sift another candidate"
IM: "Yeah, sure, no probs"
PD: "I will look forward to you getting in touch then Mr Matthews"

Well it didn't take too much thinking about that, I couldn't believe that I had a job offer so quickly. I had made my mind up and would take the challenge offered to me.



I thought to myself, your new chapter starts here mate, take it while you can!!

Pre-season didn't go as planned with only 1 victory and that came in the last game at home to Peterborough, hopefully this isn't a sign of things to come.....

The season kicked off with the visit of Havant and Waterlooville to Stonebridge Road, a crowd of 849 saw me take charge of our first league game as I made my way to the technical area.



An own goal by Hutchinson gave us an early lead and we managed to hold on until halftime. My halftime team talk obviously didn't do the job as Havant equalised on 56 mins. On 76 mins, I decided to shake things up and made a double substitution with striker Ben May and young hot prospect winger Tom Phipps replacing on loan Jon Shaw from Luton and one of my free transfers during the close season of Jon Wallis. The substitutes soon made an impact as Ben May chased a lost cause and crossed in from the bye line and on loan striker Michael Thalassitis opened his account on 83 mins. The game was wrapped up in added time when Justin Miller's cross cum shot squeezed in past the hapless Havant keeper on 92 mins.

Good luck with the story. I would look over your last couple of posts and edit some of the coding.

2014-02-25 14:19#163097 Jamesg237 : Good luck with the story. I would look over your last couple of posts and edit some of the coding.

Cheers James, have done now