It was only a couple of months ago the 54-year-old was in the opposite dug-out to Jose Mourinho against Tottenham in the Europa League.
Then assistant, the former Grimsby Town boss has stepped back into the manager’s seat on home soil with the National League North side.
The former Burton Albion, Leicester City, Blackpool, Grimsby, West Brom and Stafford Rangers man is well travelled.
From a career that started in the Premier League to first team coach for Harry Redknapp at Birmingham City and Avram Grant at West Ham United, his travels have also taken him to the Indian Super League as John Gregory’s assistant at Chennaiyn.
“Both of those experiences have been invaluable,” Groves says. “Culturally and as a life experience they’ve been fantastic. The spell I’ve just had in Israel was thoroughly enjoyable.
“Football takes you places you may never go and brings about experiences you’d never have in this country.
“I enjoyed my time in India. The people there are fantastic. The culture they have is a pleasure to be around. Israel was excellent, the majority of the time being at the top of the league and working with players who were able to keep them there so it was a fantastic experience.
Journey
“The fans I experienced in both India and Israel were passionate and fanatical about their team – and football. People love football. I’m fortunate I’m working in football. No matter what level it is, for me, it’s the job I want to do. I’m hungry to be successful.”
Denne historien er fra December 13, 2020-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra December 13, 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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SHAKERS REVEL IN MAKING HISTORY
DAVE McNabb says Bury's FA Cup heroes are proud to be writing their own chapters in club history.
WILCOX: WE FEEL COMPLETE WITH WIN
RUSS WILCOX'S verdict after watching his Gainsborough Trinity side outmuscle and outplay their hosts was that it was \"probably our most complete performance\".
CRACKER BY KABIA TOPPLES TUDORS!
ASSISTANT boss Stewart Yetton said his Truro City side were good value for their win over table-toppers Hemel Hempstead Town.
BRAKES PUT STOP ON BORO BATTLERS
SEPARATED only by goal difference before kick-off, these sides remain neck and neck in the embryonic table after playing out 90 minutes in the October sunshine that was a great advert for the division.
BOSS COTT'S GOT A REALLY GOOD THING WITH ROVERS
STEVE Cotterill hailed Forest Green Rovers’ first class performance as they produced a spirited comeback to topple fellow high-flyers Eastleigh at the Silverlake Stadium.
SKIPS STEER HEED'S SHIP
GATESHEAD captains of the past and present are playing a lead role in helping the National League club move on from the departure of FA Trophy-winning manager Rob Elliot.
FA CUP PREVIEW: SWEET! 'DREAM' DRAW IS CHANCE OF OUR LIFETIME
DAVE NORTHFIELD says minnows Biggleswade FC were like 'kids in a sweet shop' when they drew out York City in what he describes as the 'draw of a lifetime'.
PARKER'S HEART IS STILL AT HOME
FORMER England right-back Paul Parker has revealed he would never completely rule out a return to management – but says he would only do so for one of his beloved local clubs.
LOCALS RALLY TO REBUILD BRIDGE
WHEN committee members at Bamber Bridge set out to raise £30,000 to protect the club's future, they were apprehensive about the response they'd get.
RUTHLESS BEES FIND THEIR FEET
ASTERLING second-half performance resulted in league leaders Barnet brushing aside a Boston United outfit that led at the interval through Keaton Ward’s early strike.