We couldn't work without any funds, says Miles - EXCLUSIVE

FINANCIAL ISSUES have forced Phil Miles, Terry Malin and Ray Bagnell to quit Kent League club Greenwich Borough, writes Stephen McCartney.

The well-respected managerial trio have parted company with the Harrow Meadow outfit, despite guiding the club to the last sixteen of the FA Carlsberg Vase for the very first time in the club’s history and finishing a respectable eighth place in the Kent League.

Although Miles would like to take time out of the game at this level to concentrate on his job and junior football commitments, he believes that Malin and Bagnell have plenty to give, despite an initial set-back.

“We spoke to Dickson Gill (the chairman) at Croydon a few weeks ago, but can’t really see that working out for one reason or another,” Miles said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight.

“I just think the way that Dickson wanted to set it up, (where) he wants a big controlling interest in team affairs, but it you want to go somewhere you want to do it your own way.

“Personally for myself, I’ve got quite a lot of commitments through work and junior football, which will take up a lot of my time anyway.”

Miles, who worked with Malin for five years at Slade Green, explained why the trio decided to leave Harrow Meadow.

“Spoke to the chairman about a month ago and said at the end of the season we’d be standing down as managers of Greenwich Borough,” Miles explained.

“Obviously there’s financial issues within the club. That makes it difficult to attract or keep players and I think we’ve probably taken it as far as we can take it really.”

“Obviously it’s like a lot of clubs. Money’s promised at the beginning of the season and when you don’t do well the money stops during the season.

“That was difficult because every day you’re fighting a different battle and they’re not football related battles.

“All in all, we’ve done exceptionally well with the team we’ve got. We just needed that little bit of financial commitment to keep the players there.”

Since losing to Hungerford Town in the FA Vase, Borough lost central defender Dave Waters and tricky, slender winger Ben Yiadom to rivals Croydon.

And Miles added: “The majority of players, to be fair, have stayed quite loyal to what we were trying to achieve.”

With a new manager already installed in Steve Firkins, he has a fight on his hands to keep the best players at the Eltham club.

Miles revealed that Blackheath based goalscoring midfielder, Peter Smith, 23, has already attracted interest from Ryman League clubs Cray Wanderers, Whitstable Town and newcomers Thamesmead Town.

“To be fair there’s three or four players in that team that can play at a higher level,” said Miles.

“I’ve already had a couple of phone calls for a couple of players. There’s some good players there and in the right side they’ll do really well.

“Peter Smith is being touted by Cray, Whitstable and Thamesmead and to score 20 goals from midfield deserves to play at a higher level.”

Miles, meanwhile, knows that it may be difficult to find a new role within the Kent League.

“Jobs at this level are very few and far between,” he said. “They don’t tend to fall on your lap for you.

“There’s a lot of people who have left clubs and not gone back into it since. There’s no guarantee (of finding a new club), although we’ve got a decent reputation on what we’ve achieved.

“Last sixteen of the FA Vase, not many managers can hold up their hands and say that!

“Our position of 8^th this year was a little bit disappointing as the Vase run probably took our eye of the ball in the league.

“Money dried up completely at Greenwich Borough from January to February time. Players with the opportunity to leave, have stayed.

“I thank all the players at Greenwich Borough who have stuck by us and wish them the very best for the future.”

Despite other commitments, Miles believes the trio will re-unite again some time in the future.

“I won’t miss it, my son plays football, I run two under 7s sides, so that will take my time,” he said.
“My work commitments effect my football.

“Terry’s another good manager and Ray’s an exceptional coach. They would do well.

“There must be clubs who need a decent coach and assistant manager and come in and bounce off everybody else.

“They’re good people and deserve to be kept in football - not through what they’ve achieved but their knowledge.”

One player that has already walked out is stocky goalkeeper Michael Holder.

“Having been managed by the trio for two seasons now it will be a shame to have to part company with three terrific football enthusiasts and also three lovely fellas,” Holder told the Kent League forum.

He added: “Like them, I will also be quitting the Boro after five long seasons at the club.”