“Last season was the first time I’ve got to the end of April and not been involved in a playoff game,” said the 30-year-old, who registered a trio of top-five finishes with Runcorn Linnets before leading the Blues to third-place in National League North in his debut campaign at the Deva.
“I didn’t know what to do with myself. Do I go and watch? Do I go on holiday early? Fair play – it was someone else’s turn. But it wasn’t a lot of fun, let me tell you.”
Much like the rest of last season. Chester began the campaign as one of the favourites for promotion after a summer of impressive recruitment, but early optimism quickly dissipated in the face of patchy home form, profligate finishing and a post-Christmas slump.
A tenth-place finish was, by any measure, a major disappointment and marked the first real setback of McIntyre’s nascent managerial career.
“Yeah, I’d agree with that,” he admits. “But you don’t take the Chester job for an easy ride.
You don’t take the Chester job to sit in a big blue chair and feel pleased with yourself. You take the Chester job because you want to work hard, because you relish the pressure, you demand high standards and you want to achieve something.
“That’s my personality. That’s my nature. It was the same at Runcorn Linnets and it’s why I’m here.
Denne historien er fra June 23, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra June 23, 2024-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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I'M READY FOR A NEW PROJECT
LEAGUE One, League Two, National League John Coleman doesn't care. He just wants to manage a club with scope for 'doing an Accrington'.
BEARNE'S DOUBLE IS A PITMEN TRIUMPH
HEDNESFORD Town marched on as this tie was settled in the first 21 minutes with a glut of goals in favour of the Pitmen.
STAG-DO SPOILED BY LIAM DOUBLE
AFC Totton and Basingstoke played out an entertaining draw at The Snows Stadium.
FOALLE'S THERE AT DEATH TO STEA IT!
A GOAL with almost the last kick of the game from Jack Foalle saw Ashton's unbeaten start to the season go up in smoke at Hurst Cross after they had hit the post in each half.
TUDORS STAY TOP THANKS TO AJAYI!
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN secured a crucial victory over Slough Town that solidifies their position at the top of National League South.
MOLS ON ROLL AS NASH GO SECOND!
CURZON ASHTON moved up to second place after doing a job on former boss Adam Lakeland and his King's Lynn Town side at the Walks.
REAL DEAL HEED KEEP PILING ON THE POINTS
GATESHEAD scored early in each half to strengthen their position at the top of the table after they stretched their unbeaten start to the season to seven games.
JOSH JOY DELIGHTS DAGGERS BOSS BEN
JOSH UMERAH marked his first league start for Dagenham & Redbridge by grabbing the goal that ensured a share of the spoils at Maidenhead.
DOGGED DALE WILL NOT BE MOVED!
ROCHDALE cruised to victory with a superb first-half performance which settled the age-old debate as Dale's immovable defensive object blunted Aldershot's previously irresistible attacking force.
SPITFIRES BACK IN THE GROOVE
EASTLEIGH bounced back from their last-gasp defeat at Gateshead last weekend as they edged past lowly Tamworth in a lackluster affair at the Silverlake.