It’s been just over a month since Josh Gallagher took over at the helm of Chertsey Town and it’s fair to say that he has been using the time since then effectively to learn about his new surroundings.
Having enjoyed a long and successful career in the non-League game as a determined midfielder, Gallagher went on to cut his managerial teeth at Raynes Park Vale, where he took the club from Step 5 to the brink of the play-offs at the higher level before finding out how ‘brutal’ football management can be.
Now refreshed and recharged, he is doing his research in preparation for what the Pitching In Southern League Premier South holds in store for him and his new club.
“It’s been great to get my teeth into preparations over the past month or so,” he told us. “I’ve been doing my research on the teams and players that we will be coming up against as well as evaluating what we have here and what was needed to add to it.
“Having people like Toby Little and Jack Mazzone around has been a big help. Both were part of the team last season; Toby has taken on a player-coach role and he’s been able to give guidance on the strengths and weaknesses of our opponents last season, which gives us something to work from even though there are sure to be plenty of comings and goings in terms of personnel throughout the League this summer.
“Meanwhile Jack is someone I know well having played alongside him at South Park and I’ve been able to lean on him about the core of players that the club has been able to keep hold of and what we needed to add.
“Even though I was only out of the game for a few months, it seemed like years and that feeling has made me appreciate things even more and how fortunate I am to have been given this position at such a well-run and well-respected Step 3 club.
“I had time to reflect and I’ve learned a lot, so now I want to use that to be successful here. It’s a step up in my fledgling managerial career and I am relishing the task ahead.
“The club has built something here over recent years and I want to be able to take it further. There’s a nice family feel around the place and that’s what drew me towards the club. Building those kind of cultures is how I see myself as a manager and this is the right environment for me to come into at an ambitious club.
“The fact that this is a new level for me only adds to the sense of excitement and anticipation. As I say, I’ve not been afraid to lean on the experience and knowledge of those around me so that we are as fully prepared as we can be.
“If we can find our identity and be what we want to be, then I am sure that we’ll be able to give a good account of ourselves.
“The club worked hard prior to my arrival to keep a core group of players together and then added to it with the return of three key former players, Gary Abisogun, Ashley Lodge and Darryl Harrison, who know what the club is all about and also bring higher level experience and know-how.
“Credit to those at the club for making it happen and since then I’ve been able to add some of my own players to the group and now we’ve got a competitive squad in place, which is ready to hit the ground running.
“Last season I am told that injuries, particularly in defence, cost us following a bright start to the season, so I have worked to address this and hopefully we will avoid these issues this time around.”
The Curfews ended last term in 16th place, just a point clear of the relegation zone and Gallagher is keen to start looking up the table rather than over their shoulders.
“We want to be able to take things in the right direction,” he added. “Our aim will be to push for the play-offs; from where we finished last season, we may not quite get there, but we need something to aim for and if we can create the kind of enjoyable environment which players look forward to being part of rather than it being a chore, we may be able to get that extra 5-10% out of them which can make all of the difference.
“We’ll be looking to entertain, be aggressive on the front-foot and also be adaptable. Preparations are going well so far; there’s a positive vibe around the place and long may that continue. Let’s see where it can take us.”
IMAGE: Chertsey Town FC
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