Manager of the Month - Aug/Sept 2004

Graham Kemp (Brockenhurst)

The first manager of the month award for this season was a very difficult decision to make.

Let’s look at the candidates. Geoff Butler, with a shoestring budget, has lofted Bashley into the upper echelons of Ryman Division One and deserves praise for his efforts. His side produced some excellent displays on occasions with away wins at Croydon and Bromley and a 4-2 home win over Leatherhead.

They did however lose four games, leaving Pitchside with a choice of two managers to choose from.

Lymington & New Milton, despite losing a few games themselves, have turned it on in other matches and Ian Robinson was a very tight second place, having guided his Linnets through to the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup and seen his side beat champions Winchester City.

It was such a close call, especially with the Linnets beating the reigning FA Vase holders at Fawcetts Field but, purely because Brockenhurst, on a smaller budget, produced one of the clubs biggest victories in their history, when they overturned Lewes away to also progress to the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, this in itself warranted the award.

Congratulations then go to Graham Kemp and, Pitchside would like to wish both Brockenhurst and Lymington & New Milton the best of luck when they take to the field for the next instalment on their terrific FA Cup runs.