Departing Tucker: Go and win the final (EXCLUSIVE)

Chris Tucker’s penultimate game in charge of Coney Hall saw the Tiepigs Lane outfit reach the final of the Combined Counties League Challenge Cup following their 3-1 win at Staines Lammass on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The 28-year-old takes charge of his 183^rd and last game at Crescent Rovers on Saturday.

Tucker praised 18-year-old Dave Beaumont for his performance at sweeper, after Tucker changed formation after they gifted the west Londoners an early lead.

“We started off slowly and gifted them their opening goal,” he said. “But a change of formation to three at the back and outstanding play from an eighteen-year-old called Dave Beaumont at sweeper was unbelievable.

“We battled and passed the ball well, we dug in, got a penalty, which we converted through Chris Gadd - Our best performances have come in the cup.”

The Kent club will contest the final, at Tooting & Mitcham United’s impressive Imperial Fields Stadium against Hanworth Villa, Bookham or Worcester Park.

“At least it gives the players something to aim for,” said the departing manager. “A nice cup final at the end of the season. Obviously, I won’t be there (as manager) because I resign next Monday, but I am sure Colin (Coldspring) and the boys will go on and hopefully win it.”

Tucker, will, however, be watching from the stands, as his brother, Billy plays in goal.

“I will be at the final watching,” he said. “By that time Colin will be in charge for about ten games.”

Looking ahead to his swansong, Tucker said: “183^rd game in charge and my last - let’s go out with a win.

“The league title may have gone but they still can finish as high as they can and they will now be playing for their cup-final places.

“I expect them to go out with, ten games left, and if they can get off to a winning one this week they are capable of going on an unbeaten run.

“We did it last year to win the league and if Colin can keep the players fit and focused there’s no reason why they can’t do it again.”

Only mainstay Erol Umit was in the Coney Hall side before Tucker took over as manager but Tucker will be hoping Coldspring will be able to keep his legacy going until the end of the season.

"Obviously the players were shocked at first.  Obviously I spoke to Colin and the agreement was to keep keep him on and the keep the players as a unit," said Tucker.

"There was only one player at the club before I took over as manager, so the other players I've brought in really and truthfully.  The squad was built by just me and Colin really.

“They were not produced by Coney Hall, we’ve gone out and got them and most of them were mates of mine.

“Colin will keep them together, whatever happens next season, whether they'll stay I don’t know - their main objective is to stay as high in the league.”

Tucker, however, admitted he will always remember the team spirit at the club. He said: “In 34 league games last year I could say we must have scored 15-20 goals in the last five minutes of them games so our ability to keep going to the end and our never give-up spirit - our ability to change formations and keep going was one of many plus points."