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Manager focus

Manager focus

Craig Cooper30 Sep 2018 - 16:05
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https://www.leistonfc.co.uk/ne

Glen Driver caught up with the Blues online during the week to talk all things football.


Glen Driver first managed Leiston in the 2005/2006 Eastern Counties Premier Division. He led Leiston to a ninth placed finish that campaign, and also steered the team to the Suffolk Premier Cup final at Portman Road in May 2006, which Leiston lost 3-2 (AET) to Lowestoft Town. In fact, Driver came off the bench in the match in extra time to put Leiston 2-1. He left in October 2006 but came back at the start of the 2015/2016 season to manage the Reserves and U18's. Glen managed his 100th league game for Leiston at Step 3 level against Barwell on Saturday. Since becoming manager in 2016, he has led Leiston to finishes of 7th and 5th in the past two seasons.
As a player, Glen first signed for Leiston when the club was in the SIL Senior Division and made his debut against Leiston Saint Margaret's, netting a hat-trick in his first match. He also played for Leiston in the Eastern Counties leagues (both First and Premier Divisions). In total he scored around 50 goals in over 100 appearances in all competitions.

How have you enjoyed your return to Leiston since you have come back to the club?

GD - I have really enjoyed the challenge of coming back to Leiston. Managing the Reserves and U18's was good. The Reserves had finished bottom the season before but to guide them to a top 6 finish I was very pleased with alongside Tony Kinsella. The U18's grew as the season progressed and it's nice to see some of the kids that were in the U18's then to now be in the Reserve side.

What is the clubs aim as a whole this season?

GD - The clubs aims are to develop our kids from U15's to U18's, then from U18's to the Reserves and ultimately from the Reserves to the first team. Rome wasn't built in a day and this is steady progression, which is how a club should be run. It's only as good as it's foundations and we hope to give the youngsters a route into our first team. Sometimes football clubs ignore what's beneath the first team, and I do want a competitive first team, however as a football club we need a system in place which I firmly belive we have.

In terms of yourself, what were your best achievements in your playing career and to date, your managing career?

GD - My best achievements as a player has to be when I was voted Suffolk's Player's Player of the year in 1992 and there were some very good players around in that era. That was a tremendous confidence boost for myself and it help me to score 39 goals three years on the trot. I had trials at proffesional clubs (Ipswich Town, Norwich City, Peterborough United and Northampton Town) but I knew deep down I wasn't good enough to make it at pro level.

In terms of my managing career, I managed Man On The Moon on a Sunday morning and we broke all sorts of records which I learned a great deal from. I helped take Felixstowe & Walton to sixth placed one season with Tony Kinsella in the Ridgeons Premier Division. Helping managing the reserve side at Leiston and also the first team.

Who were the best players you played with /against?

I was very lucky to play with some excellent players in my time. I would have to say Blake Saker was an 8/10 every week and Kevin Inglis was a big talent. The four best strike partners would be Peter Wade who had everything, Richie Barber who helped a lot and Ian Brown taught me so much. But I would have to say Paul Smith was an unbelivable player and to say I played alongside him was an honour. Eddie Younds and Tony Vaughan were always tough to play against, while Danny Cattermole and Neil Shade were always superb players to play against at Non League level.

Final thoughts on your career as a player/manager?

GD - I have always been honest about my playing career. I have been told I was a good player but I don't believe I was, although I did the hardest thing in football to score goals. My all round play was poor. My hold up play, link up play, bravery and work rate let me down, but I'm proud what I achieved in front of goal.
As a manager, I will let the players have an opinion and feel it's a hard question to answer but I would like to think I care about people and will always support and protect my players.

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