NORTHWOOD | FIRST STEPS FOR DONNELLY

Scott Donnelly on his new career in the game in the hot-seat

Having enjoyed a stellar playing career which spanned two decades and saw him reach the second-tier of English football, Scott Donnelly, is ready to take on his latest challenge in the game.

The 36 year-old has been handed his first managerial role after being appointed into the Northwood hot-seat as they prepare for life in the Pitching In Southern League Division One Central.

Following a spell out of the game after hanging up his boots, Donnelly started his coaching career at Rayners Lane last season.

“I needed that break,” he admitted. “I was out for about 18 months and for the majority of that time didn’t watch much football at all.

“Then I gradually started to get my appetite for the game back and began to watch a few games here and there and it led to me agreeing to do some coaching at Rayners Lane last season, which I enjoyed.

“There were a few jobs which came up that sparked my interest and then came the opportunity at Northwood.

“I’ve always wanted to get into management and having spoken to the owner and secretary, I was offered the job. It didn’t take me long to accept; this is a great chance for me to show what I can do at a well-run and forward-thinking club who are beginning life in a new League.

“I’ve worked under a lot of managers and coaches during my career and I’ll be taking something from all of them, whether that’s how to do something or how not to do something!

“Of course, some of them have influenced me more than others, but I have learned a lot over the 20 or so years that I was a player.

“I’ll be looking for us to have an attacking style, but it has to be winning football and we have to have a Plan B to back it up.

“It’s been non-stop since I was appointed. We’ve lost some players and moving across from the Isthmian League to the Southern League means that there are going to be a lot of new faces come the start of the season as we adapt to our new surroundings.

“One thing is certain; we’ll be working extremely hard during pre-season to ensure that we are ready and I am really looking forward to the challenge that stands before me here.”

We welcome Northwood FC in to the Southern League family.

Northwood Web Site