This is a learning curve for us in so many ways, says Glebe boss Rocky McMillan

GLEBE captain Byron Beard says he wants to repay the club’s boss 
and finish as high as the can in their debut season in the Kent Invicta League.

The Bromley-based club are playing their first season in senior football and are presently in the bottom four, having collected four wins and six defeats from their opening ten league games.

The team are now managed by club chairman Rocky McMillan, after he parted company with Gerry Cox (who has since become Billy Walton’s assistant at Fisher) on 29 October.

Beard said: “Rocky is very intense, detailed and hardworking man who plans his life around Glebe. He wears his heart on his sleeve and all the lads would like to repay him by finishing as high as possible in the league.”

McMillan explained why he founded the club back in 1995.

He said: “We started off as Glebe Trotters FC as a little pun on the infamous Harlem Globetrotters basketball team, where we were prepared to trot all over south-east London in order to play football.

“The Glebe was actually an area of farmland in old Bromley, on the side of a church, leased to farmers by the priest to raise funds for the parish.

“Glebe was founded in 1995. When I arrived from the Middle East, it was noticeable that the social make up (I was away 13 years) of society had changed dramatically.  Parents including myself wanted safe structured professional coaching for their children.  Therefore Glebe was founded on best facilities, best coaches and hopefully attracting and producing top players.

“We have three players from last year and two present under 18s in our squads that have come through the age groups.

“It would have been a lot more, but seven of our lads from last year are away at university. They fit into the longer term plan when they graduate in three years’ time.”

MacMillan explained his reasons behind ditching Cox as first team manager in October.

He said: “He put in a tremendous effort. However, as chairman, I didn’t feel we were playing or going in the right method or direction. Time will tell, but I feel players are aware of their individual responsibilities.

“We have kept to a system that I believe suits our personnel.  It’s been a huge learning curve in the first year and we will be all the better for it.”

Meanwhile, it’s the battle of the new clubs on Saturday when Glebe welcome seventh-placed Fleet Leisure to Oakley Road.

Lee Richmond’s side produced a shock 3-0 win at Lordswood in the Kent Senior Trophy last Saturday.

“I’m looking forward to this weekend’s game against Fleet,” said MacMillan.

“I won’t be there as I’m away on business but it will show me if we are in the right direction.

“The side has chopped and changed a bit. The last five games we’ve narrowed the squad.

“My captain (Byron Beard) has been very steady for us. Alex Bull never stops working for the team and in the last six weeks Ben Lockett has been outstanding.

“I’ve signed a couple of real good lads and once we’ve got the fellas back from injury, I’m sure we will push on.”

Meanwhile, in goal is goalkeeper coach Peter Dale, 47, who is the oldest player to play for a senior football club since goalkeeper Alan Rogers, then 60, who turned out for Kent League side Tunbridge Wells back in 2007.

“He’s stepped in for a few weeks as our regular goalkeeper has got work commitments,” said MacMillan.

“I’m sure he must be the oldest in the league. However, he’s been superb for us.

“Pete’s one of the country’s leading ‘keeper coaches, having trained Arsenal ladies in the Champions League last year, so although he’s old, he’s also a great keeper.”
 
And when asked what his aspirations are for their inaugural Kent Invicta League campaign, McMillan replied: “It’s a really competitive league this year.   We’ve seen Bridon and Fleet demolish step five teams in Cups.  Hollands & Blair and Lydd have the points and experience and then there are nine or even ten teams that can beat each other.

“This is a learning year for us in so many ways.  Finishing top ten would be commendable, top half fantastic, top six is my goal.”


Visit Glebe’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/glebefc

Quotes courtesy of Football Correct (twitter) - @footballcorrect

Glebe  v  Fleet Leisure
Kent Invicta League
Saturday 7 December 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Holmesdale FC, 68 Oakley Road, Bromley, Kent BR2 8HG