Tonbridge Angels Football Club: Interview with Julian Leigh
In the first of our series of interviews with the Reserves' management team, Phil Kingsley interviews the boss Julian Leigh before the Kent Intermediate Cup semi-final with Sevenoaks Town.
1) What were your goals for the Reserves this season and how did you come to join Tonbridge Angels?
I became friends with Nick Sullivan during my time at Sevenoaks, Nick in fact used to help me coach my Under-15 team, some of these players are now with me at the Angels. When Nick took over as chairman he asked me if I would run the Ressies, needless to say he did not have to ask twice. If I am honest I did not set any real goals, knowing the squad was going to be young and virtually a complete new set of players it was a case of being patient and getting the right set of players together and competing together. I think we can now see that since the turn of the year this is starting to come to fruition. I must admit now I would love to win the Kent Intermediate Cup for the Club, the Chairman, and players deserve something this season.
2) There seems to be a great atmosphere within the squad and on the sidelines, what do you put this down to?
I honestly believe that a good changing room goes a long way towards a good team, we have a few livewires in the squad, Mannie (Neville), Phil Cramp and (Ben) Rainbow to name but three and I have to say this is one of the best changing rooms i have been involved in, of course not many have had Elvis in them either. Everyone plays their part, but we also approach games in a professional manner.
3) We know about Si and his Elvis impersonations but are there any other entertainers or jokers in the squad and what has been your funniest moments this season?
The three lads I have mentioned above are great characters and you can also add Dan Stringer and Scott McEwan to the list of jokers. Funniest moments? Well by a country mile Tel Brock's Andrex commercial at Epsom will take some beating, also Si's Olympic bid at Horley on the Bar and a few missed this one Pongo's face when I stitched Si up with his Elvis impersonation. One of my own was the 3-5-3 formation I wanted to play at Merstham, Dobla did point out the error of my ways!! I thought it was a good idea at the time!
4) What are the differences between managing a First Team and a Reserve Team?
First team football is the shop window and all players and managers should aim for that goal. The obvious problems are that players can get called up for First Team selection at the last minute, which is how it should be if necessary, and other times players from the firsts play in the Ressies, which sometimes means players have to step aside, but by and large I think we handle these situations well in the Ressies and I know for a fact the First team boys enjoy playing when asked.
5) You also look after the Under 16's, how is that going?
The Under 16s have just reached the Kent Cup final which is great for the boys and management. The team is much changed since the start of the season with a great deal of quality in the squad, a couple of the boys have come with the Ressies for experience and this has worked well as the feedback has been very positive.
6) What about Julian the player, what position did you play and who for?
I used to play in goal and started playing in the local Sevenoaks League at 14, I had two long spells at Sevenoaks and was fortunate enough to have been involved with the County League Rep squad, I had a fantastic season at VCD before they went Kent League and three or four years at Otford. I finished playing at Sevenoaks when I was 38. I did actually have a game for Angels Ressies, I think I was 16/17 the then First-Team manager was George Cohen, I remember we lost 3-0 to Thames Poly and that was my Angel playing career over. Alex Hamilton was the Manager, he then went on to manage at Sevenoaks, trouble is I think he remembered that game and I did not get much of a look in for a long time, but I will say I have the utmost respect for the man and understand now as a manager myself how difficult it is sometimes.
7) You always seem to make an effort for the supporters at home games, I think that goes down well?
I love the banter and chatting to supporters, their support to a club like ours is vital, and if they make the effort to come out on a cold wet Saturday the least I feel I can do is say hello and spend a couple of minutes with them, I will also make a point to listen to any comments they may have as again it is important that they feel their points are being noted, after all they pay their money they are entitled to an opinion. I must admit I am not so keen on the comments made on forums by people who hide behind various names which are not constructive as it is then difficult to offer a constructive reply back, mind you I do like all the good comments!
8) Getting to the Cup final would cap a good first season, how do you see the remainder of the season going?
I think the main focus must be on the first team getting promotion and If that means the ressies suffer then we will just have to grin and bear it,that said I looking for a strong run in as most of our games are at home and maybe a cup final in the Kent Cup plus hopefully progression in the League Shield.
Thank you Julian and good luck for the rest of the season.
