I said to the chairman I will win the league for him, says Greenwich Borough boss Ian Jenkins

GREENWICH BOROUGH manager Ian Jenkins says he has got the financial backing to win the Southern Counties East Football League title next season.

The former Cray Wanderers boss was appointed as the club’s manager in January.

He lost his first two games in charge and took charge of his ninth game last night, going down to a 3-2 home defeat against league leaders Whyteleafe.

The Leafe moved nine points clear of Tunbridge Wells and Ashford United after their win at Princes Park, which extended their impressive unbeaten run to fifteen games.

Whyteleafe travel to Ashford United on Saturday, whilst Greenwich Borough travel to third-from-bottom side Sevenoaks Town.

Sevenoaks Town parted company with former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea star Micky Hazard last week, as well as his sons Ricky and Tony.

Manager Paul Lansdale said in a statement: “Micky has been involved with the club for four years, starting with the youth side.

“He has been a fantastic coach, but things this season, whether it’s work or travel, have not allowed him the time, with the focus now very much on the first team.”

Jenkins has eight league games of the season remaining and will be looking to win as many games as he can.

Greenwich Borough are in eighth-place in the table, with a playing record of 11 wins and 2 draws from 24 games, a massive 27 points adrift of the league leaders.

“It’s not a pre-season,” said Jenkins.

“It’s hopefully getting through the season trying to get some wins. Keep training and getting the players used to what I want to do.

“I’m trying to bring in a few more if I can before the (31 March) deadline.

“I’m happy with what’s gone on so far.  I just want to sort a few things out in the last eight games, try a few things out, I suppose.”

Greenwich Borough have struck up a deal to remain at Dartford’s Princes Park for the next two seasons  – and Jenkins has the financial backing to mount a serious challenge for the title.

“I’m so pleased to be given the job.  I’ve got my mo-jo back. I’m very happy with what I’m doing,” said Jenkins.

“The club is so ambitious.  The backing’s there, the funding. It’s playing at this lovely stadium as well.

“I feel on my feet with this one, but I think I’ve earnt the right because I’m a good enough manager to do what they’ve asked me to do, what they want me to do and win things they want me to do, so I’m really looking forward to the future.”

Jenkins has told chairman Perry Z Skinner that he will guide the club into the Ryman League in thirteen months’ time.

“I did say when I took over this year it’s still possible if we win all of our games, thinking we could do if I brought in players but obviously that hasn’t worked out,” said Jenkins.

“Next season is the season. I said to Perry I will win the league for him so I’ve put a bit of pressure on myself but I’ve won this league before all those years ago and I don’t think it will take much to win it again.”

Jenkins guided Cray Wanderers to back-to-back Kent League title wins back in 2003 and 2004 and believes the big guns are no longer at this level of the game.

“It was much tougher then, most of the bigger sides in this division have gone out of it,” said Jenkins.

“Your Maidstone’s, your Folkestone’s, your Herne Bay’s, Cray, have all gone up.  It doesn’t look as daunting as it did all those years’ ago.”

Meanwhile, Jenkins and Whyteleafe’s manager John Fowler are currently in training as they prepare to run the London and Brighton marathons respectively.

Jenkins has so far raised £450 for Breast Cancer Campaign and has called on the Kent football family to help him raise more funds.

Cray Wanderers chairman, Gary Hillman, has pledged £100 towards Jenkins' fund, despite parting company earlier in the season.

Jenkins said: “It’s going alright. I’m doing better than what I did the last two years’ with my training. 

“I finished work early on Monday and went out and did 20 miles, which I needed to do.  I’m struggling a bit with my legs but it’s going really well.

“I’m just hoping to get a few more sponsors. I’m a little bit behind on my money raising this year so hopefully people can dig deep and sponsor me.”

Jenkins added: “I raised about £3,600 last year, about four thousand the year before so I’ll probably raise that.”

Meanwhile, Fowler has reached his target of £550.

“Keeping fit is a daily past time for me so choosing to run the Brighton Marathon was an easy decision, especially to raise money for a charity that is close to my heart,” said Fowler.

“With losing Tonia, my sister in law, to cancer last year, it has given me more motivation than ever to raise money for Cancer Research.

“Cancer will affect us all in one way or another in our lifetime whether it be a family member, friend or friend of a friend. Cancer is here and we need to beat it!”

Fowler added: “The training’s going really well. I’ve got up to about fifteen miles on a few runs. I’m doing alright. I’ve only got a couple more weeks before I run it but I’m feeling good, I’m feeling confident.

To sponsor Jenkins: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=IanJenkins1967

To sponsor Fowler visit: http://www.justgiving.com/John-Fowler1

Visit Greenwich Borough’s website: www.greenwichboroughfc2013.co.uk/club/274219/Home

Sevenoaks Town  v  Greenwich Borough
Southern Counties East Football League
Saturday 29^th March 2014
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Greatness Park, Mill Lane, Seal Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 5BU