Corby Away & My Baptism of Fire!

By Micky (Turka) Taylor, Author and Non-League Football Pundit

Saturday, 31st March 2001, the team St Leonards FC away to Corby Town at their now former Rockingham Triangle stadium in the Southern Football League Eastern Division, the ground Rockingham Triangle Stadium and Corby’s manager was ex-Crystal Palace and Republic of Ireland player Eddie McGoldrick.

How did I get to be here in the East Midlands as assistant manager to Andy Thompson? Let me explain.

The season 2000/1 was to be a very tough first season for us at Croydon FC in the Isthmian League Premier Division after writing the history books the season before and, as director of football, I had a lot of work to do regarding recruitment of players.

Having had a meeting with my boss, Ken Jarvie, and assistant manager Colin Turner, it was decided that I would find some of our players temporary loan moves to first-team football at other clubs while we were sorting out our playing staff.

The story starts here with me having a caravan down on the south coast, near Hastings, and it was agreed that if I was down at the van during midweek I would go and watch St Leonards play at The Firs.

It was at one of those games I met the manager, Andy Thompson, in the clubhouse, and we got talking about how he could do with some players.

With that I was all ears and decided that we, at Croydon might be able to loan some players to him for a period.

Also, at that time I was asked by Lewes manager Jimmy Quinn, the former Northern Ireland striker, and his side-kick Billy Nixon if they could also loan some players.

The problem with that was they were also playing Isthmian League football and, although not dismissing their request, the better bet was to loan our players to St Leonards so that I could keep an eye on them.

Thompson said he needed a goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forwards so I spoke to Ken Jarvie and he agreed that if some of the players wanted to go on loan they could do so.

A couple did go to Lewes, but, of course, on the understanding with both clubs that if we wanted them back at Croydon, then they would have to come back almost immediately.

This was agreed, and so some very good players went out on loan and with St Leonards near the bottom of the table, Andy Thompson was over the moon to have this extra quality in his side, players like Dominic Barclay (24 starts for Bristol City first team and still only age 24), Ross Venables, who had played in Raith Rovers first team age 21, Barry Kingsford, a former regular in Carshalton Athletic’s first-team and the very young, but very talented Des Boateng, Surrey youth and Woking.

Now I was keeping my eye on players at St Leonards, Lewes, and Croydon - a demanding role, but that is what being a director of football is all about.

You try your best to take the pressure off the management team and let them concentrate on the first team.

Of the three teams it was Lewes who were doing better having a good season in the Isthmian League but for Croydon and St Leonards it was a case of avoiding relegation.
It was then that something happened to me that was to be quite honestly a bolt out of the blue when, after watching St Leonards’ home game against Wisbech Town on Saturday 17th March 2001, Andy Thompson came up to me and asked me if I would see the season out with him as his assistant manager to help with the relegation battle that lay ahead, i.e., all eleven games and some tough ones at that.

Well, I must say I was quite flattered by the invitation but explained that I am a Croydon man and that I would have to speak with my boss, Ken Jarvie, and my great friend Colin Turner to explain the situation and, if you like, get their blessing.

That was easier said than done and I asked for a meeting with them because by now I was beginning to look forward to going back into management and in such a great league with the North v South games to test my ability, albeit as assistant manager but none-the-less, still with great responsibility.

The meeting went ahead, and I informed both Ken and Colin of my, by now, made up mind.

Ken Jarvie was silent for a moment and then he said “so that’s what you want to do. Leave a sinking ship is it? (a big smile on his face).

“Look, Micky, you have done a fantastic job here, but I know that management is what you love best so go down there and save them. We will be ok here.”

That was the man and that is why I had, and still have, the utmost respect for Ken Jarvie and Colin Turner.

So, from there we went off on the long journey to Corby for my baptism into Southern League football.

Thompson and I talked about the players on the journey as, other than three players, they were all new names to me.

In the dressing room before the game for the first time I had little to say other than we must get something from this game.

I was quite pleased with our performance as the game was heading for a 1-1 draw until one of our defenders decided to be Stanley Mathews in our defending third and give the ball away and with it the game, as Corby gained possession, crossed the ball, and scored the winner.

After the game, Thompson had a go and then asked me for my comments. I described it as a baptism of fire and did the fire come out of my mouth, like a dragon’s breath, as I dug out the player concerned for giving the game away in such an irresponsible manner.

He challenged my authority to be critical and I responded with “you’ve got nine games with me so best get used to it if you don’t want to be playing Sussex County League football next season.”

Funnily enough he rang me on the Sunday morning and apologised for his behaviour and that was that sorted.

We did escape relegation, however, winning three and a draw in our last nine games against, would you believe, ex-Manchester United and England player Paul Parker’s Chelmsford City away on a Saturday and Newport IoW, on the Sunday.

It was after that final game that Andy Thompson made it clear he wanted a rest and would I be interested in taking the first team job the following season 2001/02.

Of course, I was interested. All there was for me to do now was to have a ‘the job’s yours’ interview which I did and start making my plans for a new challenge.

All that needs to be said now is best wishes to Corby Town and their supporters as they currently sit proudly at the top of Southern League Division One Central and hope that Step 3 football in general can soon be back playing again and achieve promotion.

(Micky Taylor`s excellent book `Non-League Football - A Roller Coaster Ride To Beat Any` is available to buy from Amazon priced £12.99 (Kindle version £3.99. All proceeds to Cancer Research).

Corby Town Web Site