LUKE GARRARD says Boreham Wood is “part of the family” to him after completing a surprise return to the National League South club as manager.
The former Wood boss – whose successful eightand-half-year spell at Meadow Park came to an end in April as they were relegated from the National League – was re-appointed by chairman Danny Hunter on Friday morning.
The news came hot on the heels of the departure of former Oxford City manager Ross Jenkins, who had been named Garrard’s successor this summer but presided over just 121 days and eight matches at Step 2 this season, yielding three wins, and was axed on Thursday evening.
Garrard, who had been at the Hertfordshire club for 18 years in various capacities, enjoyed a fruitful first spell as Wood manager, leading them to the National League play-offs three times and a number of memorable FA Cup runs, notably in 2022, where they reached the fifth round before being knocked out by Everton at Goodison Park.
He was linked to the vacant job at League One Stevenage but was available when called upon to return to the dugout for yesterday’s FA Cup second qualifying round tie at Eastbourne Borough.
Speaking about his feelings on returning to the club, he the club’s YouTube channel: “Genuine excitement. This came about at the back end of the week and when the call came in, I was over the moon to accept the offer.
“I genuinely believe in the group, believe in the early business they did in terms of recruitment and I believe there is a side here that can go and compete at the top end of the table and quite rightly they should be.”
The 38-year-old inherits a squad containing many of his former charges but also a group of summer signings, with Wood lying in tenth in the table following an indifferent start in the league.
“I’m all about cultivating relationships,” Garrard added. “I like an environment, a culture, I like connections and I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t kept in touch with a lot of them and had conversations with them, a bit of banter over social media with certain members of the team because they should have got more goals than they’ve got… but it’s because I had a relationship with them.
“This isn’t just a club to me, it’s part of the family. It was a nice welcome back. I went fully two-footed in last night and to come in today and see some familiar faces was lovely.”
Garrard revealed he had taken the unusual step of naming his XI to face Eastbourne early on Friday in a bid to make things clear for his players following a dramatic week.
He said: “There was a lot of uncertainty last night, there are players here who have been signed by the previous manager. I haven’t gone overboard with my information.
“It’s a clean slate for everyone. You earn your shirt at this club.”
