Special one for YM
THERE is a touch of Jose Mourinho about new YM coach Tommy Sampson.
Confident, brash and the ability to talk the hind legs off a donkey, all Sampson needs to complete the look is some fake tan and a full-length charcoal grey overcoat. J Like the Chelsea boss, Sampson has every right to walk with a slight swagger -he has a list of honours longer than your arm, the highlight of which was winning the FA •Vase in front of 21,000 people at the old Wembley when he was in charge at Deal Town.
"I have been successful, my CV tells you that," said Sampson in true matter-of-fact style that would have made 'The Special One' smile.
"I have a self-belief that is not arrogance. That can be misconstrued, you look at the Mourinho thing, there is such self-belief. But if I've been asked to win leagues, I've won leagues. If I've been asked to not get relegated on a low budget, that's what I've done," . he added.
The Wembley win in 2000 - John Suter was actually in the crowd as Deal beat Chippenham Town 1-0 - put Sampson's name in lights and the 50 year old has fond memories of climbing the infamous 39 steps to the Royal Box..
"I very rarely go through a day without somebody mentioning it, it was fantastic. I will never forget it, it was a fantastic experience and I'm proud of it," he added.
However, when Sampson was unveiled to the YM players on Tuesday night, he preferred to talk about the future rather than dwell on previous successes.
"I'm here to be successful. We are trying to win a league, we are trying to be as good as we were last year and perhaps a little bit better. I want to be a Ryman League Club in a year's time," he said.
Sampson's career in football started at Millwall where he played three first team games between 1969 and 1974.
He then spent six years with Dartford before short spells at Welling United, Bromley, Tooting & Mitcham, Erith & Belvedere, Tonbridge Angels, where he was player-manager, and finally Alma Swanley, his last club before he retired as a player in 1991.
Caught by the football bug, Sampson moved straight into management with Kent Premier side Sheppey United before taking charge at rivals Herne Bay for five years until 1998.
He then took Deal Town, another Kent Premier side, to Wembley during a successful two-year stint before graduating up to Southern and Ryman League level with Ashford Town and Borehamwood respectively.
In 2002 he moved to Dartford until he resigned in January this year. During his final season at Dartford,
Sampson came up against his current club in the preliminary round of the FA Cup, which the Kent side won 5-0.
"I remember the game well," recalled Sampson. "We [Dartford] played very well on the day, scored two in the first half and a third seconds into the second half and that killed it."
Three YM players caught the new coach's eye that day. "I said to John after I thought the boy Grant played well while Russell up front was strong. The keeper [James Plumley] played quite well too," he added.
But Sampson and Suter have crossed paths on many occasions during their lengthy spells in management, although their first meeting, when Herne Bay were drawn against YM in the FA Cup in 1994, nearly turned sour.
"We actually had a row, we had a little difference after the game. But we have always kept in touch. It's a mutual respect thing," said Sampson.
So when former YM coach Ali Rennie decided to leave for local rivals Three Bridges, Suter rang up his old friend and asked if he fancied joining him at Gorings Mead.
"I wanted to get out of Kent and go to Surrey, Sussex or Essex and have a different challenge. I turned down two offers but I don't want to manage in Kent, I wanted to do something different," he explained.
For a man who has won four Kent Premier titles and six cup competitions, in addition to his Wembley triumph, moving to YM as coach could be seen as a step backwards.
However, Sampson insists he is happy to play second fiddle to Suter and will leave the final decisions to the veteran boss.
"I would not have dropped down a level of football for anyone but John. I know YM are a good side and I respect him for what he has done and achieved here. John will remain the manager here, he is still the guv'nor.
"I'm not here to change anything, I'm here to make it a bit better. They are a good side but the hardest thing about winning leagues is defending it the next year," he added.
Suter was pleased to get his man.
"I think Tommy will improve every aspect of football here. He will bring more professionalism to the club, he will have a stronger fitness regime, he will improve player’s performances and he will improve the way we play.
I'm confident that this is the best signing I have ever made. It's a coup for the club. I believe we will make a good partnership and I can't wait to get started," he said.