26thoct03

Sunday 26th October 2003

Reaction from the Bromley camp following Stuart McIntyre's decision to resign

Eddie Saunders, 32, from Putney, was appointed caretaker manager at Bromley last Thursday, following the shock resignation of manager Stuart McIntyre at the Ryman League Division One South club, writes Stephen McCartney.

Saunders was signed by McIntyre, from Nationwide Conference side Woking in August 2002, but his career came to an end in a Ryman League game against Egham Town last November, in only his 21st game for Bromley.

Saunders, speaking after his Bromley side beat Hampton & Richmond Borough 2-0 at Hayes Lane in his first game in charge, said: "I've got to give a big thank you to Stuart McIntyre.

"I was sitting at home with a knee injury, a little depressed and had some bad days. I shed many a tear when I was told I wouldn't walk properly after snapping the knee."

Saunders can now jog every other day for ten minutes, and was appointed assistant manager in the close season by McIntyre, after he was almost forgotten about following his career threatening injury.

Saunders said: "It was Stuart McIntyre who told me not to sit at home and to come and use my experience in the dressing room. He said as I've played at a high level he wanted me to teach some of the players in the dressing room."

Saunders, 32, looks at Fulham manager Chris Coleman as a leading figure as he tries to carry on the good work, and high playing standards, set by McIntyre during his two year reign at Hayes Lane.

"I appreciate being given that chance by Stuart and all off a sudden I've been elevated to number one at Bromley!

"I've jumped straight into the frying pan, and there will be a lot of people wanting me to fail, because they will say I am inexperienced. However, I switched on the television today and looked at Chris Coleman, 33 at Fulham.

"Everyone said he would fail, and look at him, they turned Manchester United 3-1 at Old Trafford today."

Saunders, who is being helped by injured Bromley players, John Myatt and son of Crystal Palace manager, Paul Kember, had to rally his battered troops ahead of Saturday's must-win clash against Hampton & Richmond Borough.

Bromley responded with a 2-0 win thanks to Jason McKoy's and Mark Hammond goals, and now it is time for everyone at Hayes Lane to offer their support in testing times.

Saunders admitted: "I think everybody was shocked when Stuart McIntyre resigned, even the back room staff and chairman were shocked.

"That is why today was a difficult day, We didn't know how the players were going to react. Nobody could because it was Stuart who brought in most of this squad. That is why the performance was so pleasing. Before the game there were a few traumatised faces, and a few of the players don't know what was going to happen, and it's a credit to them, they knuckled down and beat a good team in the top five"

As other managers look to offer their services at the Hayes Lane club, Saunders admitted he is being given a month or so to prove to the club, he can be awarded with the job on a permanent basis.

But he has jumped into the frying pan, as Bromley's next fixtures are away at Carshalton Athletic (FA Trophy), Staines Town, Worthing and Slough Town.

But knowing this Bromley side, there is no doubt they will raise their game against these good sides and help Saunders get the job at Hayes Lane.

"At the moment the chairman said he will probably give me a month, three of four games, but it's all about results. I'm young and I've been thrown straight into the deep end, and to be honest it's either sink or swim. We've got some tough games coming up and it doesn't come any easier."

Saunders was "buzzing" after winning his first game in charge 2-0 on Saturday.

He said: "I thought we were a bit on the edge and nervous in the first ten minutes, but once we rode the storm the players realised they could actually do this and there is only one team in it, and one team were going to win, and that was going to be us."

Bromley are now unbeaten in six league games and this was a fact Saunders pointed out to his team before their game against Hampton & Richmond Borough.

He admitted: "I pointed out to the players before the game that in the last five games, we have scored nine goals and conceded only one. That's championship pace and form."

There is a fear within Hayes Lane the players brought in by McIntyre will leave, but early guesses are the players are willing to stay and fight for Saunders, at the moment.

Saunders said: "As far as I'm aware the players are staying, but who knows, football is a funny old game. We've had a good result today so let's concentrate on that. The players are happy, but the vultures might be in picking away. We can't as a club, think about that and we have to concentrate on what we know, and that is we have got a good nucleus of players that at the moment, who want to work and win for each other."

Bromley's players spoke about the disappointment and shock of Stuart McIntyre's resignation after two years at Hayes Lane.

Captain, Dean Forbes, praised the brave decision made by the man who brought him to Hayes Lane. He said: "It was a major shock to us. Stuart McIntyre is a person who brought me to Bromley the first time round and he loved this club and this job to bits. It's just a measure of the man that he has had the guts to look at it and say maybe "I've done enough and maybe it's time for me to go." I think he acted for the love of Bromley Football Club over himself. I have got nothing but respect for him making that decision."

Last season's skipper, John Myatt, who is about a month from returning to training after breaking his leg, added: "I am sure everyone will back me up and say everyone is very disappointed with Stuart's decision to go, but he had his own reasons for his decision and you have to respect that."

Long serving defender, Michael Harney said: "Obviously it was a big shock to me and to everyone. It was a matter of putting it out of our systems for the game today. I think he is a very good manager and his man management was top drawer, and I am sorry to see him go."

Paul Kember, who signed for Bromley in the close season, said: "Obviously sad and shocked to see him go, as I came down to Bromley on the back of Eddie Saunders and Stuart McIntyre, and it was a bit of a surprise."

Defender, Mark Willy, dedicated Saturday's 2-0 win over Hampton & Richmond Borough to the departing manager. He said: "Obviously we were deeply shocked with the news and from a personal point of view I was a bit devastated because he brought me to the club from Cray Wanderers. Stuart was the best manager I've played under. He is honest, and knows exactly what he is talking about, and I dedicated this win to him, because if it wasn't for him, we wouldn't have the set up we've got at Bromley now. He has taken the club to a new level, and hopefully, whoever comes in will carry on and take the club to another level."

Jason McKoy, who scored Bromley's first goal, said: "I was a little disappointed because he had a situation that made him resign and we've just have to move on and carry on."

For the time being, the players are backing Eddie Saunders and no-one seems to want to leave Hayes Lane.

McKoy added: "No-body wants to leave. We've got a really good bunch of lads in the dressing room and we know the potential and quality the squad has. It's not a ship anyone wants to jump off!"

Forbes said: "Eddie Saunders has been with us from the start and he knows us and he has a fantastic understanding of the game at this level. He is an accomplished centre half and he has won things I would love to win. Everyone has nothing but respect for him. I would personally would like to see him get the job, and so would all the other players. We are right behind him!"

Coming up for Bromley

Bromley make the short trip to Colston Avenue next Saturday (1 November, 3pm) to play Ryman Premier Division high-flyers Carshalton Athletic in the FA Trophy First Round.

Bromley's next home game, is against Staines Town, on Tuesday 4 November (7.45pm) but this depends on FA Trophy results the previous Saturday. Staines are at home to Croydon Athletic, and if they draw, their trip to Bromley will be postponed.