McCann targets a decade at the helm

Hendon manager Gary McCann can look forward to celebrating ten years at the helm of the Ryman Premier’s Greens next year after agreeing a new deal for next season.

McCann, pictured, took the helm in February 2005 after first joining the club as a player in March 1997 and making almost 200 appearances before injuries curtailed his career.

As manager, the 42-year-old has celebrated two victories in the London Senior Cup, matching the club’s win total in the previous 80 years. He’s also guided the Greens to the FA Cup 1st Round Proper on two occasions – a more laudable achievement in modern times with Ryman Premier clubs now needing to win four matches to achieve the feat.

Hendon’s delighted officials announced the news to fans attending their Player of the Year Awards at Silver Jubilee Park on Saturday night following the successful conclusion of negotiations over next season’s budget between their manager and the Directors of Hendon FC Supporters Trust - Chairman Simon Lawrence, Mike Harte, David Bedford and Rob Morris.

Hendon Chairman Simon Lawrence said: "Gary McCann has done a fantastic job as manager of Hendon Football Club for the past nine years. I am delighted that we were able to agree on a budget for 2014–15 that is sustainable and allow us to compete at this level and he will continue as our manager.

"Unlike most clubs, Hendon Football Club is wholly owned by our small band of passionate and loyal supporters. But we don’t have inexhaustible funds and we have to live within our means."

McCann said: "The off season is always a busy time for managers and I have been spending hours on the phone talking to players. It is going to be a real challenge to match what we did last season, but I am confident I will be able to put together a squad which will be more than competitive.

"It is going to be more difficult than ever because the recognition that we got out of last season – how well that we did – will be extremely difficult to better. I spoke to Wealdstone manager Gordon Bartlett during the week and he told me that he – and many other managers – considered my team one of the best in the division.

"I must be honest I was a bit clouded at the end of last season. I began to wonder if I had taken the club as far as I could. My conversation with Gordon helped to clear my mind and realise there were challenges I could meet here. I love the club and it has been a big part of my life for so long and I can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

"We have been, for the past four or five years, a club that has been in transition or going slightly backwards – it is always difficult for a club to move forward when they don’t have their own home – but things are in place for a big move forward in the not too distant future. The setting up of the youth section is very important to me and to the future of the club."

McCann is confident about the club’s prospects next season and does not believe his squad will need a major overhaul this summer.

He added: "I am confident that I will be able to keep the majority of the squad from last season, though a lot of them will get offers from other clubs. I think the appointment of Scott Cousins as coach has certainly helped.

"He will be replacing Junior Lewis who has decided to move on. It is my belief that Junior was the best coach in Non-League football, but Scott was, for many years, the team captain, so the players know him and what he is about.

"He has the same coaching ethics as Junior and he will get the chance to put his own plans and styles into place, while still playing the same type of football. I will not change the way I want my teams to play and he is of the same opinion. It will be a great chance for him to make a mark in his first coaching job.

"As for the playing side, I believe that the squad doesn’t need too much in the way of strengthening. Most of the players have committed to returning which is great news because I feel that we have four each of outstanding central defenders and full-backs – so we have plenty of cover all across the back four.

"Our central midfield was as good as almost any in the Ryman League Premier Division and we showed what we could do up front with the number of goals we scored. We will be looking to bring in a few players, maybe a goalkeeper, a couple of wide players, somebody up front."