Our aim is to win the league next year, says Long Lane's newly-appointed player-manager Joe Diggins

LONG LANE’S newly-appointed player-manager Joe Diggins says he will get his side playing attractive football next season.

The Kidbrooke-based outfit finished in sixth-place (of 12 clubs) in the NRG Gym Kent County League Division One West last season and Diggins has turned to management in his second season at the club.



Joe Diggins (right) pictured playing against Peckham Town has taken over as player-manager of Long Lane.
Photo: Adrian Swan


“I will technically be a player-manager, but not too much playing from me hopefully next season,” said Diggins, 29.

“Chris Johnston and Mick McCall will be on my management team.”

Diggins recalls playing for the likes of VCD Athletic, Greenwich Borough, Erith & Belvedere, Croydon and Raynes Park Vale earlier on in his career, before dropping down into the Kent County League owing to work comitments.

He said: I used to play left-back or left-midfield for these teams.

“I stopped playing properly at least five years’ ago as I couldn’t commit through a job I had and I was always injury prone!

“I dropped down a few levels to enjoy it again so I played for Belvedere, Erith 147 (where I was assistant manager for the first part of the season), then I signed for Long Lane the season just gone.”

Diggins scored six goals in nine games for Long Lane last season and is relishing his new role.

He has, however, set his sights high at Dursley Road after taking charge from Richard Edwin.

“Our aim is to win the league next year,” insisted Diggins.

“We have some of the finest facilities in London and a nice pitch so we will be playing football the right way.

“I’ve studied football all round the world on my travels and would really like to play attacking football next season.

“For me that’s more appealing than clipping channel balls. Of course, we have to be organised and solid defensively as attacking football can leave you open.

“I’m going to make the most of our facilities in pre-season. Margate also do their pre-season there.

“Off the pitch we are working hard to get more sponsors. We have a few companies interested at the moment.

“There are over 30 teams at the club. Our other aim is to build from the youth teams up by putting a structure in place for all the teams to play a similar way and strive to get into the first team.
 
“I’ve inherited a good squad but I will be adding a few faces next season. We will also be bringing younger players into the reserves to push to get into the first team.”

Diggins’ footballing philosophy has come to the forefront after watching football in South America during the past few years.

He said: “I’ve travelled to South America a few times over the space of four years.

“I watched games in Colombia, Argentina and had a kick about with a semi-pro team in Bolivia.  I was amazed by the skill level and pace. The organisation wasn’t great and they lacked defensively but they got more joy out of beating a man with skill which I quite liked.

“I like the fast paced games and can’t stand long ball and slowing it down, although I do appreciate it when other teams do it and it’s effective but it’s not the way I want my team to play.”

Visit Long Lane’s website: www.longlanejfc.co.uk