SHOLING | BIG SHOES TO FILL

Doswell on the dawning of a new era

A new era has got underway at Sholing with Paul Doswell taking over the managerial reins.

It’s the first change in the hot-seat at the Pitching In Southern League Premier South club for just over a quarter-of-a-century.

But if anyone can follow in the footsteps of the legendary Dave Diaper, it’s his good friend Doswell, who spent over a decade in charge of Sutton United and laid the foundations for their rise into The Football League before overseeing almost 100 games at Havant & Waterlooville.

Under Doswell’s guidance for the first time, Sholing came away from Dorchester Town on Tuesday evening with a 2-1 victory for their fifth League success of the season. They battled out the win despite being down to the bare bones in terms of player availability, but the spirit within the squad saw them through.

“This is the best dressing room I've ever walked into for the first time,” admitted Doswell to his club’s media. “These lads will dig in for each other and it's a tribute to Dave Diaper that he's created such a superb environment.

“I now know how David Moyes must have felt when he replaced Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United!

“What Diapes has achieved is unbelievable, it's a very hard act to follow. Whoever took over had big shoes to fill and I think it would have been too daunting for a younger manager, but as this will be my last job as a manager, I'm looking forward to spending many years in charge.”

Doswell is relishing the challenge that stands before him in the Premier South.

“This is what I would call a proper League, with some big, ambitious clubs and our goal is to be competitive this season and then push on,” he admitted. “We have a good squad with some amazing commitment shown by so many players to stay with the Boatmen for years.

“I don't think there's another club anywhere in the country that has so many players with over 400 appearances!

“I want to build upon the excellent work off the pitch by the directors and volunteers who have improved the ground and club infrastructure beyond recognition in recent years. It's vital to increase our revenue, attract more supporters to matches and hold more events. I want to see the ground busy and as a focal point of the community.

“I am a Sholing boy, born and bred, and no other club would have tempted me back to management.

“When Diapes first contacted me in the summer, I was very interested, but it's only been in the last month that after a lot of work by both sides, we have put together a plan to be progressive on and off the pitch.”

It’s another game on the road this weekend as they head to Didcot Town before Doswell’s first home game in charge takes place on November 4th with the visit of Walton & Hersham.

IMAGE | Sholing FC

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