It's one of those seasons of learning, says Greenwich Borough boss Gerry Cox

GREENWICH BOROUGH boss Gerry Cox says he is looking forward to seeing some old faces when he takes his side to rivals Fisher tomorrow.



Fisher are presently in a disappointing tenth-place in the Kent Hurlimann Football League table, with 28 points from 22 games, while Greenwich Borough are rooted to the foot of the table, with 13 points from 23 games.

Fisher go into the Champion Hill clash on the back of three successive defeats, whilst Greenwich Borough are showing glimpses of improvement, picking up seven points from their last four outings.

Cox said: “We’re looking forward to it.   It’s a nice place to play (and I’ll) see some old faces as well.  Obviously it will be good to play again as we haven’t had a game for two week.

“We’ve had a couple of decent results.   I thought it was important to keep us going but unfortunately it was interrupted and we didn’t play and then our first game back after a  couple of results was unfortunately a loss to Erith & Belvedere.”

“We’re just not going to get carried away with it.  We’ve had some good results, got some new players, a nice bunch of lads now. It’s a lot happier in the changing room, just generally an uplifting time.  We’re very disappointed to go to Erith & Belvedere and lose.”

Cox explained the role that former Fisher right-back and captain Kris Hollidge, who has arrived from Cray Valley (Paper Mills), has at the club.

“Kris has been a great asset to the club,” said Cox.  “I’ve known Kris for some time. He was actually on the coaching staff when I was with Croydon with Dickson Gill.  He brings a lot to the table and he’s certainly an asset to Greenwich Borough.

“Kris is not officially a coach, but he helps out where he can with the warm-ups and he’s very, very willing.  He’s a steady player, unfortunately a little injury prone but he gives 100% all the time both to the club on and off the pitch, so I’m very pleased we’ve got Kris with us.”

Last summer Greenwich Borough lost their entire management and playing staff to Fisher, who finished rock bottom last season under previous manager Gary Lisney.

Looking forward to the derby game tomorrow, Cox said: “I would hope to have a very open game.  Obviously Steve (Firkins) and Bill (Walton) are two of my best friends.  I know they’ve been suffering injuries and they’ve also lost players and they’ve given opportunities to some very young players, so I think hopefully it will be an even contest and a good match for our boys’ and their boys’ as well.

“I’ve got a lot of friends at Fisher myself as well on their backroom staff and their supporters so I’m really looking forward to the day out.”

When asked whether the departure from the club of Steve Firkins and Billy Walton et-all will add spice to the clash tomorrow, Cox replied, “No!  Not at all!   I think there’s nothing at all between any of us at the club and we remain friends.  Football will never come into that.

“Myself and Bill Walton were both on equal, same wavelengths as to what level this league is at and what we’re trying to achieve at both of our teams.

“There’s no animosity there, nothing to spice it up. It will just be an enjoyable day.  But for ninety minutes of the actual match we will both be willing our own team to beat the other team.

Greenwich Borough have scored only 20 goals this season – three more than Deal Town – and have shipped in 57 goals at the other end – eleven fewer than landlords Holmesdale.

“I’ve lost count of the amount of games, the compliments I’ve been paid by other teams saying “I can’t believe you’re a bottom of the league team.’

“The League doesn’t lie.  Initially our problem has been a lack of converting our pressure into goals.

“It’s one of those seasons of learning.  If you look over the last few games, the amount of goals we’ve conceded has been quite minimal, compared to our early games.”

Cox added: “I’m very realistic as you know from our conversations.  The League doesn’t lie and that’s where we lie.  Whether or not where the situation takes us but we’re using the rest of the season to sort of cement the core of the squad and then move on from there.”

Meanwhile, Fisher have lost the services of left-back Danny Tipple, who has moved across to their bitter-rivals Beckenham Town.

Fisher  v  Greenwich Borough
Kent Hurlimann Football League
Saturday 10^th March 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Champion Hill Stadium, Dog Kennel Hill, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD