26thoct04

Robinson enjoying life after Darts

AFTER making nearly 700 appearances for Dartford, Steve Robinson admitted he is happy with life as assistant manager of their Southern League Division One East rivals Erith & Belvedere, writes Stephen McCartney.

41-year-old Robinson made a return to Stonebridge Road on Saturday when the Deres drew the Darts 1-1 in the Southern League but admitted it felt slightly unusual being in the away dressing room against his former club.

"I've got to be honest, it was slightly unusual being in the away dressing room," he admitted.

"I played nearly 700 games for Dartford during a long 13-14 year career.

"I've got a lot of friends here and Dartford are one of the first results I look at when I read the paper."

However, Robinson admitted he wanted to collect three points against his former club.

"It was slightly difficult but at the end of the day I've got a job to do at Erith & Belvedere.  

"I've got a passion to be successful and I know I will be but it was important that we came here to try and get three points."

When asked whether he had any aspirations to go into management, Robinson answered "yes" but he has been given a chance by Barry Lakin, his manager, to get his managerial career under way at Park View Road.

Although his title is assistant manager, Robinson revealed it's a joint partnership, and he hasn't got any problems being number two to a man who is ten years his junior.

"Me and Barry (Lakin) make a good team," said Robinson.

"Barry has got some qualities and I've got other qualities and as a pairing the team work and it's working really well.

"Barry is a lot younger than me.  He has played in the pro game and has got some coaching ideas from when he was in America.

"I know the non-league game like the back of my hand having played in it since I was sixteen years old, so I know a lot of players, managers both locally as well, so we complement each other quite well."

Robinson, however, would like to be a manager at this level of the game, but he is very happy working with Lakin to bring long awaited success to the club.

"I look as though I am managing already to be honest with you.  We very much do things jointly and I might have the title of assistant manager but we do things together and bounce ideas off each other so in a way my managerial career has already started by joining Erith & Belvedere.

"We will be successful no doubt.  We are just putting together a side now that hopefully will go from strength to strength."