The Bostik Friday Interview: Gary Alexander- on why he left Greenwich Borough

Last night Gary Alexander made the surprise announcement on social media that he had left Greenwich Borough. We caught up with him to find out what had prompted this decision.

‘Just like to say, with a broken heart, I’ve resigned from my position as Greenwich Borough manager. I’d like to thank my players and staff for all their efforts over my two year stint. Good luck to you all- follow your dreams.’

With these words on social media last night Gary Alexander called time on his reign as manager of Greenwich Borough, causing a great deal of surprise and an outpouring of sadness from players and supporters at the club. We caught up with him this morning to see what caused him- as well as his second-in-command John Mackie and physio Huseyin Torgut- to leave the DGS Marine Stadium.

Fourth in the table, only five points behind the leaders and three points off an automatic promotion place, thirteen points from the last fifteen and with just about a full squad to pick from for the first time this season- can you understand why people are so surprised to see you walk away?

Greenwich has been an enormous part of my life, and I’m sad to be going, but a situation I didn’t expect has arisen and I have to stand by my principles.

What kind of situation?

I was told that I had to release players I’d signed- on the grounds of cost. Now it’s important that people realise that I’ve never had the kind of budget that has been talked about in the media, and most of the backing stopped when my Chairman (Lord David Skinner) passed away in August 2016. We didn’t have a massive budget before that, but we had a much smaller budget afterwards, and in truth we’ve attracted players because of friendships and connections more than anything else- nobody has joined for the money, whatever the gossips may say. People joined us to be part of something special, to progress, rather than for any other reason.

Basically the other day I was called into a meeting and told that two players had to be released because there was no money to pay them. Now players come and go, and I’m happy to make decisions for footballing reasons, but these lads have commitments and they signed for me, they believed in me, and I gave them my word. That’s more important to me than anything else. I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself having effectively laid them off on the grounds of cost whilst I still remained employed.

I’m not blaming the chairman, he’s a great person and will do everything he can for the club, but John and I should have known a lot sooner that the club was going to struggle. I can’t really answer questions about the future of the club, that’s something you’ll have to ask the chairman about, although what I can say is that he’ll do his very best to keep things going. I hope the club go on to be even more successful, and look forward to seeing them do that.

Have you been able to speak to the players?

I called them in for a meeting last night, and their reaction brought tears to my eyes. I needed to look them in the eye and explain my decisions- it’s only right to talk to people face to face, to be honest, to give them the chance to ask their questions or say anything they want to say. They thought I was joking at first, but they soon realised that my loyalty was to them first and foremost. I can’t speak highly enough about the club, but the situation financially should have been known about much earlier. We’ve been living in a bubble. But I can’t really talk any more about that, it wouldn’t be fair for me to try to answer questions better left for others.

Where do you see yourself going next, then? Or is this just a moment for you to sit back, take stock and take a breather?

I’ve been in football all my life, I don’t know anything else. The phone has rung non stop this morning, I didn’t know I had so many friends (!)- and I’m now a free agent. I want to get back into the game as soon as possible. I had offers to go and play tomorrow, and I’m thinking about that seriously, as the idea that I’ll wake up on a Saturday morning with no football is painful. I started at nine years old and I'm not planning to stop now.

So we might see you out there in a number nine shirt again?

Yes, if it isn’t already taken- although it might have to be sixteen given the shape I’m in! But being honest I can still play at this level. I chose not to recently because I felt that, as a manager, I needed to let others play and concentrate solely on my job- but perhaps I haven’t scored my last goal after all. Football is a funny old game, I didn’t see my career moving on this way, but I’ve still got my boots and I still know where the goal is!

So what have been the highlights of the last two years? You leave Borough with a sixty per cent win ratio.

Being given the chance to manage and to coach was an enormous highlight, and a dream I’m not going to give up on. I’ve shown that I’m capable of getting results, and with a promotion and a play-off semi final place on my record I think I’ve done well, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. I turned down the opportunity to get back into the professional game a few times whilst at Greenwich, because I felt it was a great place for me to learn, and it has been exactly that. And being successful whilst everyone else thought we were spending massive amounts of money but with the satisfaction of knowing that wasn’t the case, that was a highlight. We’ve all worked so hard, John, Huseyin, the players and the staff, the supporters and volunteers who have come in and helped, given up their time- it’s been an incredible journey. I’ve made mistakes and learned from them, and I’m a better man and a better manager for all of that.

Finally, is there any message you’d like to pass on to the supporters?

Everyone at the club has been wonderful to me, and I’d like to thank them all- everyone who has been part of my Greenwich Borough footballing life. I’ve so many people at the club to be grateful to. They’ll always have a place in my heart and I leave with so many special memories.

Greenwich Borough travel to Hastings United tomorrow.

Where next?

Bostik Blog: The least convincing victory ever! Luuk van Liesout has an obsession with English football- just like the rest of us. Unlike the rest of us, however, he has to travel from The Netherlands to watch it. Here's the tale of his fifth FA Trophy match of the season.
Bostik Blog: A sting in the tail The good folk of Witham Town might have expected that rain would stop play before their match with the Jammers. After the final kick of the game they might have wished it had! Jim Purtill brings us the story of a damp afternoon in deepest Essex.

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