MATT Gray admits his first season in management produced some difficult challenges but he and Sutton United will be better for it.
The 38-year-old had the U’s in fine form when the campaign was curtailed although it came after a tricky opening period.
By the time they won at Torquay United in November, it was only their second victory in 17 matches including an FA Cup defeat that saw goalkeeper Alan Julian score a last-minute equaliser to inspire Billericay Town to success in a replay.
“There were a few things I hope I won’t have to deal with again!” Gray told The NLP. “The first half of the season was an unbelievable learning curve for me as a manager.
“We were struggling with injuries and going to Yeovil with the bare bones. I was signing a player at Fleet services on the way down to play left-back for me.
“I’ve been involved in clubs before over the years where you’re on a bad run and the performances are as bad and it seems like there is no light at the end of the tunnel.
Denne historien er fra September 27, 2020-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra September 27, 2020-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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WE HAD A NUTTY ALMOND PARTY!
Roy Hamilton tells JOHN LYONS about the days when Almondsbury Greenway became a big fish in Non-League waters...
VILLAGERS ARE ON TO A SHAW THING
THERE'S no place like home, as the old saying goes.
DABBER JON GETS A DABBLE - AT 27!
SECOND time around, Jon Moran's reaction a potentially career-ending knee injury was to step away from football altogether.
LEON'S LATE, LATE SHOW
Lobjoit hat-trick stuns the Daniels
BLUES STEAL POINT IN DRAMATIC FINISH
BILLERICAY Town nicked a remarkable point in second half stoppage time with two late, late goals in this rip-roaring top-of-the-table clash.
BOSS GRAY HAS GOT HIS MOJO BACK AT COLLIERS
NICKY Gray is relishing a return to the dugout after revealing an offer from Ashington ‘ticked a lot of boxes’.
LAMBS SO SAVAGE ON SILKMEN!
ANDY Peaks’ backto-back Tamworth inflicted the first defeat of the season on Robbie Savage’s Macclesfield to progress into the first round for the first time in just over a decade after an enthralling cup tie.
WE JUST LOVED OUR 'BIGG DAY
OLLIE PEARCE'S brace and a goal from Dipo Akinyemi guided York City to a resounding victory over underdogs Biggleswade.
BRAKES ARE HOLLERING!
PAUL HOLLERAN jokes 'it was never meant to be like this' as he approaches 15 years in charge of National League North high-flyers Leamington - and says producing players is what keeps him motivated.
JOHNNO'S MACHINE KEEPS ON CHURNING
PAUL JOHNSON told The NLP back in the summer that he wouldn’t mind, in a strange way, if Farnham Town’s unbeaten league streak came to an end.