Glen Driver has returned to BetVictor Southern League Premier Division Central strugglers Leiston as manager.
Just over a year since the Ipswich-based manager quit Victory Road, he’s back, after last week leaving Vanarama National League South Braintree Town. Driver’s long-time assistant Tony Kinsella is joining him.
Driver quoted “Everyone knows Leiston is a club close to my heart and after leaving Braintree and knowing Leiston were interested, it was a no-brainer, to be honest.
“I had other clubs wanting to speak to me, but I had two-and-a-half good years at Leiston and while things haven’t gone well for them recently. I feel in some ways I owe it to a club whose fans have always been so good to me, to try and bring better times back.” Keen to stress his ambitions remain high.
“I had a good time at Braintree and I’ve had lots of messages from Braintree fans thanking me for what I and Tony did,” he added. “I’ve left Braintree with a young and exciting squad and now I’m looking forward to the challenge at Leiston.
“I’m ambitious, sealing our Step 3 future is the main thing and I want to make Leiston the top Suffolk non-League club again, not in the future, but this season.” He knows it will not be an easy ride back at a club who have had a tough start to the season and Leiston sit bottom of the table.
“There are going to be ups and downs and we will get a few hidings, but the fans know I’ll be doing everything to keep the team up,” Driver said. “Byron Lawrence is returning to us from his loan at Braintree and I’ll be adding two or three more faces, hopefully by the weekend.”
Leiston chairman Andy Crisp said: “When we knew Glen was available, we knew we wanted to get him back. “I want to thank Ian Cornforth who was in charge before Glen, for all he did and also our superb fans who support us home and away. “I know much has been written and said about Leiston’s demise. But I can assure fans that has never been the Board’s thoughts and we are looking forward to having Glen and Tony back”.
