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.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
CRAIG'S BOOSTS
MANAGERIAL stalwart Craig Edwards is back in charge of Barking – 23 years after he left!
LENNIE GETS THE LOVE
VETERAN caretaker chief Lennie Lawrence says he is “excited” to be handed the reins at Hartlepool United permanently – just a few weeks before his 77th birthday!
MOTORS FEELS LIKE HOLMES!
WHEN he was younger, Danny Holmes played video games that simulated being a football manager.
REES HITS FAB FOUR AS TOWN ROMP IT
RICARDO REES struck four times to help Merthyr Town maintain their spot at the top of the table with a dominant home win against play-off chasing Havant & Waterlooville.
DULWICH DISPLAY DELIGHTS COACHES
GOALS from Danny Mills, Luke Wanadio and Lorenzo’s stoppage-time finish fired Dulwich Hamlet to a comfortable win over fellow play-off hopefuls Potters Bar Town, though the scoreline doesn’t tell the full story.
ANCHORS A RAPID
ASHTON UNITED hit two goals in two minutes to come from behind to win at Stockton Town.
SEAGULLS KEEP THE HEAT ON ROMANS
BATH City were made to pay for their mistakes by high-flying Weston-super-Mare.
CLINICAL COLEMAN KEEN AS MUSTARD
CIAN COLEMAN’S hat-trick lifted Buxton to their highest league position of the season as they became the latest side to frustrate Scunthorpe.
KEV SEES RED IN REE PANT!
SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher hit out at referee Abigail Byrne following his side’s defeat to Yeovil Town at Roots Hall.
MARVEL MATTY DENIES MOORS
BOTH managers insisted their teams deserved more after Altrincham came from behind to steal a point in a six-goal thriller at Solihull Moors.
