I'm certainly ambitious - managing at a higher level inspires me, says Tony Russell

ERITH TOWN boss Tony Russell says he wants the club to match his own ambition of managing in the Ryman League, writes Stephen McCartney.



The Dockers went on a six-match winning streak before going out of The FA Cup at the Second Qualifying Round stage last Sunday, when a hat-trick from Lewis Perkins, 20, helped Ryman Premier League high-flyers Cray Wanderers to a 5-0 win at Hayes Lane.

Russell admitted his former club gave his talented side a footballing lesson.

He said: “I just think for my education and the young boys’ education, we’ll learn so much from this today and it’s so important we learn.”

Despite being only 33-years-old, it is very clear that Russell has a very bright future in management/coaching.

“It’s hard because sometimes it’s frustrating because it’s how far the club want to take this team, that’s what it is,” said Russell.

“I can only do so much, me and (assistant manager) Darren Upson can only do so much.  It’s how far does this club want to go?

“Maybe we’ll get to the point at Christmas where maybe we have to apply to go up (to the Ryman League), we’ll see.

“I’m certainly ambitious. I want to work with these sort of players like Cray Wanderers’ and work in that sort of environment but I’ve got to do my time.  I love it here but I said to the players’ that must inspire you? To go and play, be that sort of player and it inspires me as a manager.”

Russell, meanwhile, explained why he hasn’t applied for the vacant managers job at Ryman League Division One South side Sittingbourne, who have given the caretakers role to Joe Dowley, 28, Bryan Glover and Bradley Spice.

“I don’t think nowadays chairmen go round coming in for managers, I don’t think their looking.  It’s whoever can waffle the most at an interview. I just don’t do it to be fair.  Talk is sometimes cheap.

“The Sittingbourne job came up and people said I should go and apply for it but at the end of the day I just think if they wanted it that badly, they’ll come to you.”

Erith Town lie in tenth place in the Kent Hurlimann Football League table with three wins and a draw from six outings and they welcome fifth-placed Fisher to the Erith Sports Stadium tomorrow.

Russell watched Fisher’s 5-0 win at struggling Sevenoaks Town last Saturday and is expecting an exciting game against Steve Firkins’ side, especially knowing that  both outfits are quality passing teams.

Russell said: “I’ll look forward to it.  I spoke to Billy Walton, their assistant manager (at their game).  They’re a good, footballing side.  We’re a good, footballing side so it should be a good game of football.  It won’t finish 0-0!

“Looking at the way they set up and the way we set up, I think you can throw 0-0 out of the window!”

Visit Erith Town’s website: www.erithtown.co.uk  

Erith Town  v  Fisher
Kent Hurlimann Football League
Saturday 8^th October 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Erith Sports Stadium, Avenue Road, Erith, Kent DA3 3AT