Interview with Mark Bentley
In an exclusive interview for the club website, Blues manager Mark Bentley discusses the forthcoming season and player movements
Hi Mark, how are you enjoying your well earned close season break?
The break has been going well, great to spend some quality time with the family and recharge the batteries. Like most previous off seasons though when you get into June I start looking forward to getting back into football mode. This year however has been different as I guess all managers your always keeping a close eye out on player movements.
How do you feel the 2014/15 Ryman premier season campaign went as a whole?
On a personal note I couldn’t of asked for much more from the squad since having the opportunity to manage them. There was a great buzz about the club and you could sense everyone from players, staff and fans all pulling together as one. To finish in the position we did reflected that and along with a cup final to we must all be proud of those achievements.
What was your highlight of the 2014/15 season?
It has to be giving my first team talk as the manager against Kingstonian, I probably waffled a lot, but having the opportunity to put across my expectations of the team is something that I have felt I was ready for and just been waiting to be given the chance.
I obviously quite enjoyed the Hampton game and the publicity that brought myself and the club was unbelievable.
What was your least favourite moment?
Although we say it was a good season, reaching a cup final and finishing just outside the playoffs, I get quite frustrated as we were very close to achieving something and would be just rewards for the great run we went on. So to not have anything to show for those efforts was very unfortunate.
How would you best describe your managerial style?
I don’t think you will ever see me hurling abuse or throwing cups about in the changing room. I have been on the receiving end of that as a player and I think that probably intimidated me the first time I saw it then after that you just think shut up. I have never really understood that style of management because your not actually solving the problem. I like the players to identify situations and speak amongst themselves. I will then have my opinion (which is always right) then as a group you work and solve the issues.
Players are sensitive soles and some need addressing different to others, I think it’s important to understand each individual needs quickly.
How are preparations progressing for the 2015/16 season?
I think the most positive thing is that I have only lost two of the squad who finished last season and everyone else wants to come back. The big frustration is that I cannot sign any of them yet to keep the vultures away!
At the moment it’s just the case of preparing training and match schedules and hoping the phone doesn’t ring about another departure.
With the recent departures of Manny Parry, Conor Gough and Aaron Best, are there any players on your radar, and which areas will you be looking to strengthen?
Firstly I would like to wish those 3 all the best and thank them for their efforts last season. Manny and Conor have both decided to take the opportunity to play a league higher and something I would not stand in any players way to do.
If we can keep the majority of last seasons squad as at the moment it looks like we can then we hopefully will only need to add a few.
New Players have been identified and been spoken to come in but obviously there is still no guarantee they won’t change their minds between now and when they sign league forms which is obviously a concern.
With this being the clubs 125th anniversary year, what does managing Grays Athletic mean to you?
I saw and played against Grays when they were in the conference premier and winning the FA trophy. The players and managers who have come through the club over that era makes this a place where young players should look to make a name for themselves because opportunities will arise. I think this is a good club for me personally to learn my trade, I did it as a player starting at a lower level and looking to progress. Hopefully this 125th year can be a special year for all.
What is it like working with Glen Little and David Raven on your coaching team?
They both bring great enthusiasm and experience to the dressing room. Glen is great for the players and any young lads should be latching onto his every word, someone who has played at the highest level and still has the motivation to play at this level is a great inspiration to young ones.
Dave is a big character and is full of vital information about teams and players at this level which helps massively as I start to build my own network.
Not to forget Sim (Rhino) and Jack O Hughes
The whole back room staff bring there own bit to the club and Rhino and Jack are no different. Rhino who is not just the kitman but a big Grays fan loves to chuck every stat about the club going back many years. Most importantly he brings the sweets which seem to go down well each week!
It’s good to have a knowledgable and realible Physio at this level, we are still trying to find one of these but Jack has made do the last few years. (Lol)
What’s it like having Andy Swallow as a boss?
That question gets asked all the time when I say to people I’m a Grays! I have no idea why!
Andy has been great, we are regularly in contact with each other and has supported me with every decision I have made. His vast knowledge of players and contacts at this level help me with player recruitment as I said before probably the side I need to build upon the most.
He has big plans for the club and hopefully over the next couple of years will see the club back in Grays,
Are there any teams that you think will be likely to push for promotion this season?
I think it’s going to be a real open league this year, with the big money teams Margate and Maidstone gone it gives everyone an opportunity. Hendon will obviously go in as one of the favourites due to their run last year. Farnborough and Staine will look to bounce straight back and out of everyone else the rumours are there are big plans at Hampton. I think the teams who go with new squads may find it hard initially as they find their feet. I believe with the squad we have there is no reason why we can’t put ourselves amongst the top 5. We need to make sure we hit the ground running from August 8th as consistency is the key to achieving your goals!
What’s your objective as manager this season?
As a player it was always to improve on the season before, I will take the same philosophy into management so the target must be play offs! That may put a lot of pressure on me and it may be difficult to reach the same levels of last season. Expectations amongst everyone is higher now and I wouldn’t want to be at a club that would just settle for mid table or below. At some point I know I will have to deal with a run of poor results, something that hasn’t happened yet so the longer I can prevent that will mean we are going in the right direction.
Will we be seeing you on the pitch this Season?
I will be signing myself up as a player next year how much I use myself I’m not sure, I still feel good and as many ex players tell me "your a long time retired"
And finally any words for our fantastic supporters
Just another big thank you for your support you gave me and the players last season. We will be trying our best this new season to reach our goals and the supporters play a big part in getting us through some tough games.
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The club are delighted to receive £1000 from local charity
Glyn Jarvis, Life President of Grays Athletic, is delighted to report that the Club has been successful in an application for funding support for the 2015/16 season.
Glyn applied for a grant on behalf of the Club to the Grays Public Purposes and Recreational Charity. The charity provides grants to individuals and organisations in need of financial assistance which are located in Thurrock
The trust administers the money paid by former Rec owner Ron Billings to the Charity Commission when he bought the ground back in 1981.
Ray Smallcombe, the Secretary of the Charity, has now sent the club a cheque for £1,000.
Speaking about the club, Ray Smallcombe said "Hopefully this will assist you at least in some way, keep up the good work, the Town needs Grays playing again in the Town and we wish you well in your work."[/i]
After receiving the cheque this week Glyn Jarvis said [i]"It was great to receive the cheque from the Trust, especially as their Secretary Ray Smallcombe, is a former Blues player and reserve team manager. His words of encouragement and support for our return to Grays are also very much appreciated".
The club would like to thank Glyn for his work in securing this gift. We would also like to thank Grays Public Purposes and Recreational Charity for their very kind donation, we would also like to thank Ray Smallcome for his kind words towards the club.
It’s fantastic to know that the club is still thought of in its home town and we look forward to the day of our return to the Grays area.
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Former blues Goalkeeper sadly passes away
It is with great sadness that we have learnt that former goalkeeper, Ron Ambridge, who played for Grays Athletic in the 1950’s has sadly passed away.
Ron was part of the 1956/57 Essex Senior Senior Cup winning side, beating Ilford in the final.
To our supporters who may remember Ron’s playing days there will be a service at Corbetts Tey on Monday 22nd June at 12 noon.
Everyone at the club would like to send their condolences to the family of Ron Ambridge, his services for the football club will never be forgotten.
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Grays Athletic pleased to announce that we are looking for players for their U13 squad for the 2015/16 season. The team will be playing in the Echo Premier league
The club are looking for players in all positions.
Training will be held in Dagenham.
If your child is interested in playing for a professionally run community club then please do not hesitate to call Rob on 07846954651
