Glebe boss Ben Young: His words and you can write these down, he just wants survival

GLEBE manager Ben Young says he has been told to keep the newly-promoted club in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division at the end of his first season in charge.

The Chislehurst based club won the First Division title last season under Adam Woodward, who parted company by mutual consent, over what is believed to be a lack of discipline during the London Senior Cup Final tie against Balham.

Glebe have appointed Young, who never finished outside of the top four with Hextable based Sutton Athletic in his four seasons in charge of the First Division club.

“Sutton were unbelievable for me, they gave me a chance and they backed me all the way,” said the 34-year-old Wilmington-based school teacher.

“It was a hard decision to make, love the club, still love the club, I’m not going to deny that. They were fantastic and there were no qualms me going. For me it was just taking the next step into this League and try to push on as a manger.  I’m confident I can do it.

“There will be ups and downs all the time but for me the project is to push us on.

“Rocky (McMillan), the chairman and Glebe as a club have been really good to me since I’ve come in, fantastic, all welcoming from all ages and I’m here to push us on.

“It might not be this season, next season, but hopefully by the end of my tenure if we get to go up with them, I’m hoping we’ll be in a good position, so new things take time.”

Young’s first game in charge of Glebe is The Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie against league rivals Lordswood.

Glebe’s FA Cup debut will take place at Foxbury Avenue on Saturday 5 August (15:00).

Young said: “No pressure! Lordswood are a very, very good team.  I haven’t seen them yet but I will try and go and watch them. They’ll be a well-organised outfit.  The guy (Richard Styles) who was in there last year done very, very well on a low budget, will attract some good players. It’s a big name and there’s a lot of pressure on that first game.

“For me, it’s about setting our stall out for the beginning of the season. All I ask my players is to be 110% committed. Results will go either way, that’s football, but if they’re 110% committed, I can’t grumble and for that game I want to push on and I want to push on into the next round.”

With £1,500 up for grabs for each winner, it seems harsh to go into a FA Cup tie without playing any league games.

“It is a tough ask because anything can happen. How well pre-season goes, you could have a good pre-season or you can have a rubbish one and things take time to gel and it is added pressure because people are still not match fit and mistakes will happen and stuff like that,” said Young, who has yet managed in The FA Cup.

“Two or three games in will help a little bit more because people are more settled, I’ll know my side a little bit more.

“People are still on holidays unfortunately because it is that early on. We have got some teachers in our side and people have got holidays and I can’t stop them doing it so it is a tough ask for the first game but it’s something to look forward to.”

Young, meanwhile, has played down Glebe’s aspirations in their debut season in the ninth-tier of English football.

Asked about the chairman’s aspirations, Young replied: “Win the League! No, only joking!  He’s being honest. His words and you can write these down, he just wants survival.

“He’s an ambitious man and I’m out to please him and try to push for his club and push for me as well, but it’s survival.

“Like I said to Rocky, it’s a learning curve for both of us this year, neither of us have been in this league so it’s about learning and going from there.

“If I can keep the squad and add one or two more we will be able to do that, hopefully and that’s all he’s asked and I’m hoping to do that.”