I was pleased yet surprised when you took the role as manager given our financial situation, can you explain why you Did?PT: I probably surprised myself to be honest! I was at home and the only calls I was getting were from clubs asking if I'd go some scouting for them, which weren't the types of positions that I would really like to do. I've done a lot of work for Wolves and Portsmouth in scouting throughout the last few years so I don't mind it, but not as much as I enjoy managing or coaching. When I knew John was going to Barnet, I asked myself whether I'd fancy it and in the end I had an invitation to come and talk to the board. I knew then what a difficult job it would be; it will be very different and I was probably expecting to be at a higher level. I'm not one to say to myself ''am I this?'' or ''am I that?'' - I just want to be on a football field working with players. I knew about the challenge and the difficult areas, but came away from that meeting feeling that I really fancied it, even if I had to call upon young players or favours from people I've known over the years. The journey from here was a lot more pleasing than the one to here and I was left thinking that if I got the job, it'd be brilliant but if I didn't, I'd move on. Every second since, I've felt up for the challenge. I've done a lot of work for Portsmouth and Wolves in scouting throughout the last few years so I don't mind it, but not as much as I enjoy managing or coaching. When I heard John was going to Barnet, I asked myself whether I'd fancy it and in the end had an invitation to come and talk to the board. IN TERMS OF INVESTors, are we still talking to people and are you confident that somebody will eventually come in?ST: I'm always confident. Since January or February, we've spoken to around nine or ten what I would class as realistic people or consortia. A couple of those we got pretty far with but couldn't quite get it over the line for one reason or another, and we're talking to two lots of people at the moment, so I'm hopeful. We had a guy living in Spain who we were very confident about, but we're doing all we can. As they say you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince and that's what's happening at the moment, but there are two parties who are very interested. Since January or February, we've spoken to around nine or ten what I would class as realistic people or consortia. A couple of those we got pretty far with but couldn't quite get it over the line, for one reason or another. you can see the work we've been doing on the training ground, with good passing and approach play, but there's no striker.PT: You're absolutely spot on but what I have to say is that to lose Michael Cheek two days before the start of the season was nightmare timing, not just for us but also for Ebbsfleet because if you're going to spend money on a new player you'd have thought they'd want him to have a bit more time with his new team-mates. To do that two days before the first game, I suppose they can afford to have that sort of player on the bench whereas we can't. As soon as I know there's something going on, I always asked the player and so I asked Michael what he wanted to do. As soon as he told me that he wanted to go, I said to Steve that we needed to get as much money as we can for the football club because Michael Cheek wants to go. He's a good guy and wanted this challenge, so I wish him good luck and hope he does brilliantly, apart from when he plays us. I don't blame him, and it just means that I have two days to get a player which is impossible, and what I don't want to do is spend the money too quickly because the money will be gone, so I want to make sure we get the right one. I can assure you that me, Terry and everybody else behind the scenes are non-stop off that phone; we've got players trialling with us now. They've got a real chance but we're not going to just throw the money away, even if it means waiting four more games. Just to speak about the team very quickly, we should've had four points by now, a draw at Boreham Wood and a win the other night on the strength of our first-half performance. We haven't though, we've got no points but we as the staff have to make sure that we don't drop our heads. We're not the best team in the division but we're not that far away either. I promise you we will be trying to get a centre forward whose good with his back to goal, not another one like Elliott Romain or Chike Kandi, I'm looking for one that links up play. Even Michael Cheek wasn't good with his back to goal, but he knew where the goal was. A good striker would create chances for the whole team. I don't blame him, and it just means that I have two days to get a player which is impossible, and what I don't want to do is spend the money too quickly because the money will be gone, so I want to make sure we get the right one. I can assure you that me, Terry and everybody else behind the scenes are non-stop off that phone; we've got players trialling with us now. They've got a real chance but we're not going to just throw the money away, even if it means waiting four more games. IN THE AFTERNOON, DAGGERS HAD ANNOUNCED THE SIGNING of 23 year-old defender Alexander McQueen on a six-month contract.PT: We've signed Alex McQueen - he used to be a young player at Tottenham Hotspur. He was eventually released by Spurs before joining Carlisle and playing for about 30 matches. Then he signed for a team in Finland and that's where we got him from, which is what made it a little bit complicated because we have to now get international clearance. He's a hell of a player who can play right-back, right wing-back or holding midfield and he played against Hemel Hempstead in pre-season. I think you will all like the way he plays football because he's a very athletic full-back, and a very good player. He's a hell of a player who can play right-back, right wing-back or holding midfield and he played against Hemel Hempstead in pre-season. I think you will all like the way he plays football because he's a very athletic full-back, and a very good player. If we fail to get sponsorship, presumably we'll be saving every penny, so will our players be moving on next season?ST: Recently we've had supporters doing painting and things around the ground, so we'll be doing things differently to how they've been done before. In regard to the first question, I am pretty confident that we will get some sort of investment, but I don't know the extent. In terms of the budgets I done two months ago, we're not achieving the revenue we were hoping to. The support for donations was fantastic but it hasn't raised enough money so that's put a hole in our budget. PT: What makes this a different type of job but also an enjoyable one is that when I spoke to players, many weren't that interested in the money. A couple of months ago, I didn't expect us to have the squad that we've got now, and we're still trying to get one more centre-forward in at this stage. The players want to play 30/40 matches and improve as a footballer, gaining experience in the National League. They want to be a better player in twelve months' time. Last year, at one time, we had 32 players here but this year we'll have around 18 or 19. If you're one of those 19, you're going to be involved. I get fed up when I see young players who've played no games, and I don't mean u23 or reserve football. Our players are up for the challenge and hopefully enjoy it so much that they want another year. ST: I think Taylor's being modest there because so many young players came here for the opportunity to be tutored by him. He's been a breath of fresh air since being here and everybody loves working with him. Last year, at one time, we had 32 players here but this year we'll have around 18 or 19. If you're one of those 19, you're going to be involved. I get fed up when I see young players who've played no games, and I don't mean u23 or reserve football. Our players are up for the challenge and hopefully enjoy it so much that they want another year. After managing two games in the national league, what are your thoughts on the standard of refereeing?PT: I thought the referee at Boreham Wood was okay. Terry and I had said to the players that at the start of the season, the referees would be red hot on anything, and you cannot lunge forward anymore. So, when Ben made that lunge, we knew he was in trouble which is a shame because I really like Ben Goodliffe and he'll be a great centre-half. The referee was okay, and though at the time I thought it was a little bit harsh, the more I think about it, the more I believe it was the right decision. The referee the other night really disappointed me. He never booked their player after already being booked, then right at the end booked our player for less of a foul! That drives me mad because that's where they've got to be consistent. I hope the assessors really hit him on that one and he'll realise he was wrong with that one. I have to say though, you will all be so important for us. The players are inexperienced and will make mistakes. From the touchline, I can tell when you're really pleased about something. We're going to need that - the players need the encouragement. But the opposition and the referee, you can kill them. Terry and I had said to the players that at the start of the season, the referees would be red hot on anything, and you cannot lunge forward anymore. So, when Ben made that lunge, we knew he was in trouble which is a shame because I really like Ben Goodliffe and he'll be a great centre-half. The referee was okay, and though at the time I thought it was a little bit harsh, the more I think about it, the more I believe it was the right decision. In reSponse to comments from Glenn Tamplin in which he stated he has information that can 'bury the club' - what can we do?PG: Glenn Tamplin is...Glenn Tamplin, and I have to say he does say some wild things. Of course I could start issuing a writ for libel and could go further but that would cost thousands and would take months if not years. It is unpleasant, it's quite unnecessary, it's untrue but he does say some very strange things. You read what he says throughout non-league or on Twitter, or what he says to his players. He's a bit of a loose cannon although he has delivered on what he'd say he'd do at Billericay, as odd as he may be. I would like him to shut up, but he won't. It is unpleasant, it's quite unnecessary, it's untrue but he does say some very strange things. You read what he says throughout non-league or on Twitter, or what he says to his players. He's a bit of a loose cannon although he has delivered on what he'd say he'd do at Billericay, as odd as he may be. I would like him to shut up, but he won't. The youngsters have acquitted themselves brilliantly so far, but will a lack of experience impact us?PT: I'd love to have some more experienced ones in, but can assure you that when you have a youngster and an experienced player sitting at the other side of the desk, the experienced ones are dearer. I like Will Wright and Ben Goodliffe because even though they're young and inexperienced, they're good talkers and are learning every day. I don't think that at the moment, in our situation, we can afford experience. I'd rather have a couple of youngsters on a certain wage than one player on more, because we need numbers as well. Before we signed Will Wright and Ben Goodliffe, I think we had six defenders of which three were injured. Alex Davey wasn't going to start and neither were Luke Pennell or Ben Nunn. That's where you need the bodies, but we couldn't get the experienced ones because they're a bit dearer. I like Will Wright and Ben Goodliffe because even though they're young and inexperienced, they're good talkers and are learning every day. I don't think that at the moment, in our situation, we can afford experience. I'd rather have a couple of youngsters on a certain wage than one player on more, because we need numbers as well. Towards the end of the season we went from not wanting donations to then asking for them, so how is it currently?ST: The target that we set for the donations has not been reached - we're far short of that. We're also down on season tickets, not massively but we're still down. We now have to look at raising money in other ways such as quiz nights and events. We will have to do lots more to try to make that money up. We were fortunate that West & Coe agreed to roll over their sponsorship as the only one we had was Blackmore, who had a minimum of three years anyway. You may have noticed at Boreham Wood that we have new sleeve sponsors in Coventry University, which is a new thing in this league after it was introduced in the Premier League. We've agreed a package with Coventry University which also includes two advertising boards going up tomorrow (Friday 10th August). There's a lot of people employed by us to volunteer their efforts free of charge meaning we've cut down in that way. I've said it's going to be tough and we could've done with a few more in donations. The target that we set for the donations has not been reached - we're far short of that. We're also down on season tickets, not massively but we're still down. We now have to look at raising money in other ways such as quiz nights and events. We will have to do lots more to try to make that money up. Why aren't the fans allowed to know what we received in transfer fees, most of which are undisclosed?ST: I can't tell you what Ebbsfleet paid (for Cheek) because on their initial offer to us, which we increased by treble their first offer, was subject to being confidential. Boreham Wood done the same thing, but have subsequently gone back on that. That was the condition of the sale. Most transfers, be it League 1, League 2 or National League - and I see it so often on Sky Sports - are undisclosed fees. It's not unusual at this level. It's frustrating but that's the world we live in. PG: Often the buying club don't want people to know what they've paid because if it was a high bid, the next club whose player is subject to a bid from them will not let them go for 10k or 50k say, because they know how much that club usually pays. They want to keep it so they don't let people know what they're paying. I can't tell you what Ebbsfleet paid (for Cheek) because on their initial offer to us, which we increased by treble their first offer, was subject to being confidential. Boreham Wood done the same thing, but have subsequently gone back on that. That was the condition of the sale. BARnet recently announced their programmes would be online and no longer physical, is this something that we could do?ST: There was a National League meeting in the summer which featured a presentation on that, and a couple of clubs were looking at it. Boreham Wood apparently will email their programme out after the game, but will print it to be sold on matchdays. At the moment, we make a profit on our programmes and there's a lot of advertising. It's a small profit but still profit nonetheless. I read about what Barnet have done and their argument will be that they're still making the advertising money because it's being sent out rather than being printed and sold. We will continue what we're doing because it does make a profit. There was a National League meeting in the summer which featured a presentation on that, and a couple of clubs were looking at it. At the moment, we make a profit on our programmes and there's a lot of advertising. It's a small profit but still profit nonetheless. On Tuesday, Maidstone fans were allocated part of the sieve. Why was this and will it be a recurring theme this season?ST: There's a National League regulation that you must supply terracing for away supporters; if you don't then you've got to give them seating at the terrace price. I've mentioned at previous forums ever since we built the A13 Steel Stand, that half of our income is from away supporters paying more money. Of our home support, the majority are season ticket holders who already pay a discount on that. The majority of away fans coming here are adults, mainly adult man, who will pay top dollar. The way that the ground is configurated means we can't change the way we run it every game depending on the size of away support. We still want as many of the away fans to sit in the stand because it means more money yet now are forced to offer terracing. It's been mentioned about potentially putting them at the Bury Road end but the problem with that is the access to it and it would mean the Bury Road gates would have to be used for home supporters. When we get Barnet or Orient down here, both who will bring 600+, 200 will be on terrace but that still means 400 paying £21 in the seats. If we were starting from scratch, we wouldn't have built the ground the way it is. As we've gone up the leagues, we've had to fit requirements and it's not ideal. It's a new thing which we'll be doing going forward, and throughout this season. There's a National League regulation that you must supply terracing for away supporters; if you don't then you've got to give them seating at the terrace price. I've mentioned at previous forums ever since we built the A13 Steel Stand, that half of our income is from away supporters paying more money. In regard to the company marketing the club domestically and overseas, how much has been spent on it, and what has come of it?ST: In response to the first question, nothing. We spent some money on a company before Christmas to produce some promotional material for us, which they did. They had the expertise to market this type of business. The company before Christmas cost £2500, but put us in a better position to find a buyer. In response to the first question, nothing. We spent some money on a company before Christmas to produce some promotional material for us, which they did. They had the expertise to market this type of business. The company before Christmas cost 2500, but put us in a better position to find a buyer. Why was there not a contract between Dagenham and glyn Hopkin to see through his commitment to the end of the season?PG: There wasn't a contract. It was a handshake. ST: What we had was somebody who took a majority shareholding in the club. He paid the million pounds for his share, so that was the agreement. He honoured that agreement and then became the major shareholder. He agreed for players to be signed and funded it above the million pounds that he put into the club. That's not unusual and you'll find that many clubs at our level and above, where the owner funds above his commitment. What happens is, if the owner decided he no longer wants to spend money, that's when we had the problems. You don't expect somebody who's paid a million pounds for a product to then just pull out in the way that he did. He fulfilled his contractual obligation and became the person who made the decisions. He decided to fund above this before leaving. What we had was somebody who took a majority shareholding in the club. He paid the million pounds for his share, so that was the agreement. He honoured that agreement and then became the major shareholder. He agreed for players to be signed and funded it above the million pounds that he put into the club. with us being expected to languish around the bottom half, how do we expect to find a necessary investor?ST: It's the potential. We have a Football League rated ground. People talk about Billericay, they've spent around 2 million pounds and still don't have a Football League rated ground. Somebody interested in football, and interested in developing the club, have the tools to work with. The reason we've spoken to so many people is that they see the potential in the club. They see that we've got the ground, they see we've got the required floodlights and seating. CCTV cameras...all of those things. Don't forget the A13 Stand cost 1.4 million, which was needed to fulfil the amount of seats. When we went into the FL, I had to sign an agreement saying that within three years we'd have to have 2000 covered seats. We future-proofed our ground, and whoever comes here will have that in place. It's the potential. We have a Football League rated ground. People talk about Billericay, they've spent around 2 million pounds and still don't have a Football League rated ground. Somebody interested in football, and interested in developing the club, have the tools to work with. The reason we've spoken to so many people is that they see the potential in the club. DO the departed players have sell-on clauses in their contract which can potentially bolster us financially in the future?ST: The ones we've recently lost all have clauses in their contract ranging from 15 to 20 per cent. We all now know what Boreham Wood paid for Morgan Ferrier, which was 18,000 plus an extra 5k if they made the play-offs. This would also include an extra 10k if they were to get promoted. We got 23k, which we can tell you now Boreham Wood have released it. If Boreham Wood then get a sell-on, we would get 20% of that sell-on. We've got a sell-on for a number of players but last time we allowed Forest Green to buy out the sell-on for Christian Doidge and likewise Coventry with Jodi Jones. It was better to do that to pay wages because if the club goes under we don't get anything. We had a 20% on Dwight Gayle which we profited on when he went to Newcastle. The ones we've recently lost all have clauses in their contract ranging from 15 to 20 per cent. We all now know what Boreham Wood paid for Morgan Ferrier, which was 18,000 plus an extra 5k if they made the play-offs. This would also include an extra 10k if they were to get promoted. We got 23k, which we can tell you now Boreham Wood have released it. it's early days and we have a developing squad, but Do you know what your strongest starting xi is?PT: Probably not 100%, but I do know the shape that we want to play. We feel sometimes a back three would be better than a back four because of the centre-halves we have. If you have three strong centre-halves, like we do, it's something worth doing if you want to compete in the National League. One slight problem we've got is that we have three outstanding players attacking and that's why I want to play a front three. When Chike Kandi gets it right he's brilliant, Elliott Romain works hard and is a pest who nobody wants to play against, plus Reynolds - when he gets it right - will one day be an outstanding winger. I can't leave one of them out at the moment so I've had to sacrifice that a bit, but once everybody's fit I can see us playing a 5-3-2 with the two strikers. Wing-backs will get forward for us. Not many teams start off with the system that they're going to finish with. When Chike Kandi gets it right he's brilliant, Elliott Romain works hard and is a pest who nobody wants to play against, plus Reynolds - when he gets it right - will one day be an outstanding winger. I can't leave one of them out at the moment so I've had to sacrifice that a bit, but once everybody's fit I can see us playing a 5-3-2 with the two strikers. Throughout the season there have been different strategies when both attacking and defending corners.PT: Unfortunately I've been a very unpopular manager at times because I've not left anybody up because, the first thing you do when defending a corner, is make sure they don't stick it in your goal. If this then means that they've got bodies over on the edge of the box, that's a dangerous situation. If you look at the Premier League, the majority of teams never leave anybody up front and the advantage of this is that if you leave one up, teams leave two against them but when you leave nobody up they will only leave one. If you've got Lamar Reynolds on the left side of your penalty area and Chike Kandi on the right, and Justham gets the ball to either of them, that's dangerous. People think it's negative but I've had a team score a goal from a corner we've defended with nobody left up front in my career. You can't give teams space to make movement in the box, so we need as many bodies as possible. Unfortunately I've been a very unpopular manager at times because I've not left anybody up because, the first thing you do when defending a corner, is make sure they don't stick it in your goal.
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