Here’s Dean Thompson’s must-read CometSport Stevenage fan column after Phil Wallace sacked Darren Sarll on Sunday.
A new era is about to start at Stevenage. Again.
From 2003 to 2012 its fair to say that no other football club and its supporters had more fun than us here in this town.
Play offs. Trophies. FA cup runs. Championships.
I was proud to tell people wherever I went I was a Stevenage fan.
Since then we’ve meandered a bit, 2015 was decent with a play off spot in what Graham Westley told me was his toughest year in management. Throughout that time, there was a fella on the pitch and in the dugout I always admired. And the players did too.
Dino Maamria should be the next manager of Stevenage Football Club.
Winning is in his DNA. He went to war for Graham Westley for 10 years. He loves developing young players. He challenges them on a daily basis to get better, to work harder, and that brings reward in medals and wages when they eventually play at a higher level.
James Ferry was loaned to him at Nuneaton from this club. He’s been flying. As has Ryan Johnson. So he will carry out what the chairman wants for young players.
He’s a family man, and an inspirational character. When he talks, I listen – which doesn’t happen often.
He talks about his relentless pursuit of success, how he likes his teams to play, players he’s been watching, conversations he’s had with other players and managers. He’s a highly qualified coach, he developed players like Jay Rodriguez when he was at Burnley who went on to play at Southampton and England.
He’s worked for England during his studying during the Under 21 tournament scouting for Southgate.
And you know what? He loves this club to bits.
His time at Northwich is legendary. Took over with them being bottom. A single point from 15.
Saved them from relegation with one game to spare. Against who? Peter Taylor’s Stevenage with a certain Joel Byrom scoring the winner that saw him pick up an average of two points per game and Manager of the Season.
His time at Southport was similar. Eight points adrift, and took them to seven points off the play-offs when he left.
Look at what he’s doing at Nuneaton. They were second from bottom. Now four points off the play-offs.
When I looked in midweek his record was won six, drawn three.
He’s signed three players including two from Stevenage proving whatever the level he can change a teams fortunes.
Expect his teams to be super fit, organises and highly motivated. They will produce high pressing attacking football.
He epitomises everything about Stevenage Football Club.
And most of all it will get that East terrace bouncing leaving supporters – and commentators – watching with a smile on their face.
This club doesn’t need a big name to bring people through the gates. It doesn’t work. We know that.
This town needs its football team winning football matches. People come and watch a winning team.
So for me, Mr Wallace has to go for a character he knows.
A character he trusts. A character that will deliver on the pitch at a crucial time for this football club.
A new North Stand. A new manager. A new dawn.
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