NEIL ASPIN has been told for years he’ll be Gateshead‘s manager one day – but knows to take his hometown club up, he’ll have to get the public back onside quickly.
The FC Halifax Town legend returns to the town where he grew up after being confirmed as Malcolm Crosby’s replacement last Friday, beating former Cambridge United boss Richard Money to the job.
Getting to know former Heed chairman Graham Wood well down the years, the pair exchanged many jokes about when he was joining their crusade for the Football League.
If he is going to achieve that goal in his first season in the role he knows all too well the team’s dreadful home form has to be remedied, the side have won just twice at the International Stadium since August – but six times away.
Ideas
Aspin said: “I’m really pleased to be back in the game so soon. I’ve had around two months out since leaving Halifax, a place where I think I did a good job.
“I have been scouting for Tranmere Rovers in the meantime so I won’t need any time to get back up to speed with the National League.
“It’s the town I was born in and the place I grew up, it means a lot to me to be here. I have shared a number of light-hearted conversations with Graham Wood a few times in the past about when I’m coming to Gateshead, so it’s always been of interest.
“I’m glad it’s finally happened and I can’t wait to implement my ideas. In a way it’s a good thing I can’t bring any players in now until January. It will allow for a fair assessment of what we have got before making any changes in the New Year.
“I do feel for Malcolm. I didn’t know him too well but I do know it’s not very nice to leave a club in such circumstances. It appears one of the reasons was due to a struggle at home. It’s something sometimes you can’t put your finger on but your home games are a priority that must be straightened out.”
It is new chairman Richard Bennett’s first appointment. He made the decision to keep stand ins, defender Ben Clark and coach Micky Cummins, in charge for the visit of Chester on Saturday which the Heed won 1-0.
Bennett said: “It was important for me that I made the right choice and Neil is the perfect appointment.”
