The Bostik Friday Interview- The King of K's

It was two months ago yesterday that Leigh Dynan swapped the green and white of Whyteleafe for the red and white of Kingstonian, replacing Craig Edwards with a promise to inject pace and power into the first team squad. Since then he’s done more rebuilding than Barratt Homes, so we caught up with him to ask whether his squad was now complete, why he’d swapped Tom Derry for Andre McCollin, what his targets were for the rest of the season- and how he was planning to approach a match this weekend where his side were playing the role of away team in their home ground.

So, two months in. How would you sum up that period?

It’s been a period of transition. I inherited some players I knew, some I didn’t, and I needed to put my stamp on the squad. I finally think that over the last week I’ve got to the stage where that’s finished.

When you first took the job you talked about needing to assess the squad that you’d inherited. Given you’ve made thirteen signings (by our calculations), and only four of the squad who started against Leiston recently were in your first squad against Thurrock, your assessment has been pretty brutal, hasn’t it?

Yes, I suppose it has, but I went in with an idea of who would fit the style of play that I wanted to employ, and of course who wouldn’t. You’re right, I’ve only kept four, and the rebuilding has taken longer than I expected- and around a month longer than I would have liked.

It was a surprise to see Tom Derry leave this week. Was Tom’s departure simply a book-balancing exercise with Andre McCollin coming in?

Not at all. The situation with Tom was that I wanted him to stay but told him that he’d have to fight for his place in the side, and he felt that he was fighting a losing battle. He’s a hard working player, and although he hasn’t been as prolific as we’d have liked for the club, he spent much of last year playing out of position so that’s not really his fault- when I put him back in as a number nine he scored five goals. However I felt that he didn’t really fit in to the way I wanted to play, and we parted on the very best of terms. I spoke to him yesterday and he’d had a number of offers, and I now hear that he’s decided to sign for Leatherhead.

I brought in Andre and Dennis Oli, and I see them complementing each other really well. Andre is a proven goalscorer, not just at this level but for this club, prolific- and Dennis is a master at bringing other players into play. We’ve been creating chances but not taking them; against Leiston, for example, we created more than they did but lost 2-0. We’ve got to get the ball into the back of the net.

I’ve now got experience through the spine of the team. From Rob Tolfrey through to Rob Bartley, Kevin Mclaren and Marvin Elliot in the middle, Dennis and Andre up front, and pace and power on the wings, from full back and midfield. It’s starting to come together. They’ll be good for young Daniel Ajakaiye, too- he’s only twenty years old and he’s had a lot of pressure heaped on his shoulders, but he’s a real talent and having the experience of the new front two around him can only help him. He’s capable of having a fantastic career- he’s been spotted by a League One club and will be spending ten days with them in January. We’re very proud of him.

This is Andre’s third spell with K’s. They say never go back, but he doesn’t listen! What keeps making him return?

He just loves the club, and the supporters feel the same about him. The first time he left it was to step up two levels to play for Aldershot, and it’s great to have him back. I’d never met him until recently but I’ve always admired him as a striker, not only is his finishing good but his movement is excellent- just look at the two goals he scored against Billericay recently, one a typical strikers finish, the other a lovely dink over the keeper. Sometimes as a footballer you find there’s only one club that really fits you, and this is the one for him. I believe that he and Dennis together will work really well. You can never be sure, but it’s an opportunity that I couldn’t really have turned down.


So are you going to be signing any more players?

I don’t plan to, although I’m not going to say no because you never know what will happen! From morning to night my phone rings, football, football, football. If an opportunity comes along that will improve the team I’m not going to turn it down. But am I actively looking to add to the squad now? No. I think I’ve now got a squad that can compete in this league, and I’m delighted with it.

So what are your goals for the rest of the season? You’ve been a little inconsistent but that to some extent is undoubtedly down to the enormous change in the squad.

I signed an eighteen-month deal, and that was deliberate. I’d like to finish in the top ten this year, or at the very least to show an improvement on last season, and then kick on next season. But there are 25 games still to play- we’ve not even hit half way yet. In this league anything can happen- we could have a great run and finish in the playoffs, it wouldn’t be beyond the realms of possibility. Everybody can beat everyone else, it’s difficult to predict.

Tomorrow, then- you have an away match at your home ground. How do you approach that?

I did the same last year for Whyteleafe, when we played Walton Casuals at home but away! Nothing will really change, we’ll just use the away dressing room. We’ll prepare the way we always do- the only difference is that we’re likely to have more support than we’d have got at another away game.

Leatherhead have also been rather inconsistent this year. Given the quality of some of their signings did you expect them to be further up the table?

They’ve been superb in the cup, and sometimes when you’re playing catch up and focusing on the big games it can be difficult to get quite as well motivated for a league match, it can be a distraction. But they’ve got some great quality players there and I think they’ll get stronger as the season goes on and move up the table.

They’ve announced that they’ll have a flagship new signing this afternoon. Any idea who that is?

None whatsoever. I saw it mentioned last night and thought, “great. Cheers for that one Sammy!” But I haven’t got a clue who it is, the grapevine has been quiet!

You’ve also got to play them in the Surrey Senior Cup. How did you feel about that draw?

We could have got an easier tie, but hopefully they’ll be thinking the same thing. I’d like to win the game, obviously, but I’m not really thinking ahead to it yet. It’s a cliché, but I tend to look ahead only one game at a time, so Saturday is my focus. Anyway, I have a strong group of players so whatever squad I put out should be good enough to compete.

At the end of last season K’s fans were understandably down at saying goodbye to Kingsmeadow. How have they adapted to the groundshare?

I wasn’t here at the end of last season, but leaving your home ground is never going to be easy. That said, the fans are loud, supportive, and make a real difference. It isn’t our ground but they have coped with the trauma and give us great support. It isn’t the same as having a ground of your own, though- we won’t find out what our potential is until we have that stability.

How’s the ground search going? Any progress?

I don’t know, to be honest. I don’t really get involved in that sort of thing, I just concentrate on my job and let the board do theirs. I’m sure they’ll let me know if there’s any movement, but I’m sure we’ll be back in the Borough at some stage.

Is there any truth in the story that you’ll be looking to share with Corinthian-Casuals next season?

Again, I’ve no idea. And to be honest I’ve enough to worry about with the team, but I trust the people involved and I’m sure they’ll tell me once there’s any news!

A question from a supporter, then- are you at all superstitious? And what about your players?

I don’t think so, there’s nothing really…and I’ve not noticed the players being superstitious although I’ve never really asked them- although Rob Tolfrey and Mitchal Gough always seem to be the first in the dressing room, indeed even if I arrive early they’re always there before me. Mind you that might not be a superstition, they might just want to beat the traffic!

What’s been the big difference between managing Whyteleafe and managing Kingstonian?

Expectations. This is a much bigger club and the pressures are different. But I suppose I’m just getting to the end of the honeymoon period!

So what do you prefer? Managing or playing? Every other manager asked that question says playing, are you going to buck that trend?

I am! I had a lot of injuries when I was younger, 16, 17, 18- and it interfered with my football enormously. I suppose I was almost in my thirties before I got to really play consistently, and I when I stopped perhaps it was easier than for most, as I unfortunately had lots of experience of not being able to do it. I haven’t really missed playing at all. I really, really enjoy managing. It’s a difficult job sometimes, and can be really stressful, but I thrive on the pressure.

Finally, then, who is going to win the league this year?

Billericay, by around ten points. I was talking to Gavin (Rose) at Dulwich Hamlet yesterday, and in any other season they’d be the best team in the league and ready to go up, but of course nobody in our league can compete with the kind of money that Billericay have available. Hamlet have had no luck whatsoever; finally getting to a stage where they should have the best squad in the league and then Billericay come along. They’ll undoubtedly be in the playoff’s again but that’s always a lottery. I hope that, unless we’re in the playoff’s with them, that they manage to go up this season- they deserve it.

Kingstonian supporters over the past twelve months have had little to shout about. A relegation battle won was followed immediately by eviction from their home and a move to Fetcham Grove, an opening day victory over Billericay and some positive early season form was followed by unexpected managerial change and another rebuilding process- one which now finally seems to be over. Here’s hoping that Leigh and his team can give the club some success and some hope for the future; and that the return of the Mc- the Third Coming, if you like- can fire them up the table.

Leatherhead v Kingstonian will be our #bostikmatchday featured game tomorrow. Check back here after 8PM to find out whether K’s were special, or whether Sammy’s new signing has stolen the headlines- and the points.

Many thanks to Ollie Underwood and 'Jack' via social media for their questions. Sadly we have no images of Leigh in K's colours as the club are currently without a photographer- if you'd like that job please let them know! Image used courtesy of Leigh and Mr Google!