I've got everything that I particularly want here, says Greenwich Borough boss Gerry Cox

GERRY COX says he is enjoying the task of trying to turn around the fortunes of the struggling Kent Hurlimann Football League club Greenwich Borough, writes Stephen McCartney.


Greenwich Borough’s interest in the Umbro Kent Senior Trophy ended when they suffered an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Southern Amateur League outfit West Wickham at Oakley Road last night.

Whilst their neighbours have opened with three league wins, keeping three clean sheets in the process, Greenwich Borough’s form has taken a downward spiral.

Last night’s defeat extends Borough’s run without a win to eight, they have only scored 11 goals in 13 games and have lost their last four.

They are third from bottom in the Kent League table and welcome Tony Russell’s Erith Town to Oakley Road on Saturday.

An upbeat Cox said: “I think that will be a shock result on Saturday.  It’s not all doom and gloom!

“If you’re not optimistic it’s not worth being involved in the game!”

Managers Cox and John Cumberbatch, who were at Croydon Athletic and Horsham YMCA for the large part of last season, are at the club for the long-term.

And despite being the worst supported club in the Kent League, Cox said last night that he is loving every minute.

“I’ve probably got the best job in Kent football because me and John are under no pressure,” said Cox.

“We’ve got a fantastic chairman (Devon Hanson), ok, and as I keep saying to you is I’ve had opportunities to go elsewhere.

“I’ve got everything that I particularly want here.  I’ve got a chairman that gives us an opportunity to build a team, however slowly.

“I’m sure if we get a couple of wins under our belt it will get better.

“We’ve got nothing to induce the players to come here other than the opportunity to play at a high senior level and that’s all we are like.

“We try, with our limited resources, to make it as good an environment for them to play.

“We’ve probably equal to any training facility in the league where we train.  We train just at the bottom of the road here at Bishop Justice School which is a fantastic 3G astroturf surface and we train in Woolworth School on Thursday, where we’ve got a really lovely indoor facility.

“Irrespective of the results, I am really enjoying my football, long may it last.  I enjoy working with these guys, that’s all I can say.  We’re not panicking, it’s embarrassing sometimes, but I’m not panicking and I’m sure over a period of time some of the players we are attracting will turn it round and that’s all we can do.”

Greenwich Borough travel to Egham Town on 22 October to commence their FA Carlsberg Vase campaign.

But with £900 up for grabs in prize money for the winner of the first round tie, Cox is not putting any further pressure on his side, especially as they were defeated at the first hurdle in The FA Cup back in August, where they lost at home to Horley Town.

“Oh dear, it will be like winning the lottery, that’s good,” said Cox, speaking about the prospect of grabbing £900 in prize money.

“I think that’s an unfair pressure to put on them because at their age it will be fantastic.  What will be more important is the win, irrespective of the financial gains from it.  The important thing is the win because the win will give them the confidence that they can compete and that’s all we’re looking for.

“It’s going to be tough.  If we see improvement, however small, as we progress then we’re on the right track.”

Greenwich Borough  v  Erith Town
Kent Hurlimann Football League
Saturday 15^th October 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At 68 Oakley Road, Bromley, Kent BR2 8HQ