Living in the shadows....

I’m sure it’s tough having to live in the shadow of the ‘boss’ for year after year. And no doubt frustrating too.

The team plays well, results exceed expectation, the fans chant ‘give us a wave’. Newspapers demand opinion from the ‘boss’.

But everyone on the training ground knows that the achievements have been the result of a team effort. In fact the ‘boss’ has had little to do with it. He is no more than a ‘public face’. A man dressed only for the post match interview.

‘Track suit, boss.’ ‘Is it Savile Row?’

And then when the opportunity comes around, of course it makes sense to promote from within. After all Liverpool went from the great Bill Shankly (59-74) to Bob Paisley (74-83) to Joe Fagan (83-85) . That worked ok. Yes, why not the return of the ‘boot room’? Look back. Feed on tradition. Return to the good old days. That will work.

Bolton Wanderers tried. Big Sam to Little Sammy.

I guess that wasn’t a great success.

And then England FC tried. Sven to Steve.

That was never going to be a good plan.

But Tony to Gordon…………great for the political sketch writer. Not so good for the rest of us.

I know the loss of a few personal records is an ‘inconvenience’ Gordon. And Northern Rock? Well, my first impression of Gordon’s stewardship was favourable. In fact I liked his post calamity recovery strategy. Get the story off the front pages with the loss of two CDs then keep it buried with a few dodgy donations. Clever.

Or was it?

Keeping David Abrahams for a rainy day might have looked good on paper, but I’m sorry Gordon, it doesn’t look quite so good in the Papers.

I have no doubt that succession planning is brilliant in the Rushmoor Borough Council Concessionary Bus Passes Department, but for HM Government, England FC and Bolton Wanderers FC the inevitable failure of this approach to the appointment of a Leader, is a painful lesson.

Well it is unless your name is Richard Branson….

Oh and, Your Royal Highness (Prince Charles). Don’t hold your breath mate…..your Mum will last another twenty years.

Back at the Recreation Ground, Aldershot, we have a maturing ‘boss’. A man showing imagination and control. He has transformed the organisation from one of chaos, the hallmark of the previous manager, to a body that exudes, drive….desire…discipline and determination.

And in Martin Kuhl…we now have the perfect ‘boot room’. But Chairman, don’t even think about succession planning.

A 3-2 victory over Grays Athletic last week secured top spot in the Blue Square Premier for another 10 days. And with Torquay losing in the FA Cup today the position is secure for another week.

But it will look so much better with a televised victory at Salisbury on Sunday, kick off 1915hrs.

Now when was the last time we kicked off at 1915hrs on a Sunday?

John Logie Baird was clearly no supporter of Dumbarton FC……