"It's an unbelievable pressure because straight away the players are judging you," Preece says. "They're either going to think you know what you're talking about or that you haven't got a clue! "Fortunately it went well. It's all on results. If they'd gone bad there's no way I would have got the job.
"You can do what you want, you can be the best manager in the world with the best preparation and do everything right. But it's all about winning games of football." This Saturday, the Chorley boss will stand in the away dressing room at Chester. It will be his 1,000th game in management -835 as manager, 165 as Jamie Vermiglio's assistant at the National League North Magpies And it all started in 1999 at Bury, then in Leaue One.
"It was just before Christmas when Neil Warnock left for Sheffield United," Preece, 57, says. "Steve Redmond and me were the oldest players. I'd been taking the reserves - only a couple of games and been doing my B Licence. Terry Robinson asked if I could just help out until he could get a manager.
"Literally I had no thoughts it would go further. I was 32, I was still playing. Redders wanted to play, he didn't really want to go into management but he supported me, so I took the lead role from the beginning.
"The first game was Gillingham away. We lost 1-0. But someone interviewed me after the game and one of the newspapers wrote something really nice about me. I just really enjoyed the experience.
Denne historien er fra November 17, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra November 17, 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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BISH BASH BOSH! IT'S LINING UP FOR LEWIS
DAVE Lewis believes Bashley are yet to ‘reach their ceiling’.
REBELS YELL FOR GREAT CAUSE
FOOTBALL shirts specially designed by Worthing FC Supporters Association and local artists Two Faced Twins have been such a hit they’ve been able to hand over a sizeable cheque.
FLEET IN BOSS HUNT...AGAIN!
STRUGGLING Ebbsfleet United are searching for their third manager of the season after Harry Watling left Stonebridge Road after just 90 days in charge.
TOP TALENT HAD 'MAGIC AT HIS FEET'
TRIBUTES have been paid for a talented 17-year-old with ‘magic at his feet’ who passed away after collapsing on the pitch.
ALPORT GO ON THE ATTACK TO SEAL PLACE IN LAST 32!
ALL out attack eventually delivered a warranted win for Whitchurch – despite living dangerously late on.
BRILLIANT BECKWITH INSPIRES LEADERS
GOALKEEPER Charlie Beckwith made the difference as his clean sheet and a goal from Cemel Ramadan saw Bury Town take all three points at Chadfields yesterday afternoon.
OWLS WIN KEY CLASH IN BATTLE FOR TITLE
LEAGUE leaders Cleethorpes claimed an important win over second-placed Emley to move four points clear at the summit of the East Division.
BARDS DO THE HARD YARDS IN BIG WIN
THERE was not much to warm Stamford’s fans as the Daniels were beaten by a good Stratford side.
FREDDIE TREBLE TEES UP LATE WIN
FREDDIE PARKER scored his second hat-trick of the season as Cray Valley came from behind to win in what was a great advert for Non-League football.
TIGERS & LIONS IN A TASTY SCRAP!
PLAY-OFF contenders Hyde United and Guiseley had to settle for a share of the spoils after a hard-fought encounter.
