come in the bar after the match speak to the players & staff. I've always been approachable for a chat, I value people's opinions and if it creates a happier environment then the only ones to benefit will be us.

- Keith Wilson

Rob Lilley talks to Keith Wilson.....

How happy are you to finally manage the club that you played for 165 times?
I am obviously delighted to finally get the job. I have been approached twice before by the club concerning the manager's role only to lose out to Trenks and Gary, the last time I think nearly a year ago to the day. So it is third time lucky in that respect. I can't deny it has been an ambition of mine to manage the club after spending two very happy spells here as a player. It is also a job I think I can be successful in. I know the club how it works and in time I am sure I can get it right and bring the feel good factor back to the club

When the Rovers job came up, did you have any second thoughts about applying?
I didn't actually apply, John Galley contacted me after hearing my name mentioned by various people inside & outside the club. I did think about applying but I was happy in my role as 1st team coach at East Thurrock & thought that I would see if the club approached me. Once I had contact with the club it was a very difficult decision to leave East Thurrock, I can't lie, but after a lot of thought I knew I couldn't not take the role. I would have only regretted it. My must go onto say a big Thanks to Cove, Devs, Neil, all the players & staff at East Thurrock for the last five months. For making me so welcome & for the good luck messages I have received. I am sure they will continue to do well in the Conference South and they are a club I will take a lot from into this role.

Who are you installing as your assistant manager and coaching staff?
Unfortunately I don't have anyone definite for this yet. Again I need to see what is at the club at present. I've been told Tom has done a great job managing the 1st team, Under 21's & Under 18's so will need to sit down with him, but I do have a couple of people in mind to come in, if it is right for the club, them & me. For me at present the priority is getting points on board & climbing that table

The club finds itself in a precarious position. What will you be looking at doing first?
First and foremost we need to get our heads above that dropzone but that is going to be easier said than done. The table doesn't make pretty viewing at present. We have played more than most, have the worse goal difference & start with two very tough league games in the leaders Maldon & probably the form side Soham. To do this we need to get a bit of team spirit, togetherness going so when we go onto the pitch we are all pushing in the right direction. I need to ascertain what level we are at in the squad and quickly, so we have a training session tonight (Tuesday) and a friendly against Hullbridge tomorrow (Wednesday) where I will get the chance to run my rule over everyone, Under 21's as well to see where we are at. Once I know this I will then be in better position to make a decision of what we need to do next.

Do you have any 1 - 3 - 5 year plan as manager?
I wouldn't say it was a 1 year, 3 year or 5 year plan as such. Obviously this season Ryman league survival is crucial. After that I'd want us to progress each season, see players come up through the ranks and there is no reason why GWR can't be challenging in & around the play-offs. We have to look up not down.

Will you be bringing new players in?

Of course. Whenever a new manager joins a team players leave and new ones come in its part & parcel of non-league football. I have been told that a large number of players who were here under Gary have left for one reason or another so I have already been on the phone talking to them along with talking to a couple of potential targets but as I just stated I want to see what we have at the club at present before. I'm hoping for some new faces to be there tonight along with hopefully some old familiar faces. As soon as I have any news I'll be sure to tell everyone

Do you believe Rovers to be a club that has the pull on players to join it's ranks?
Without a doubt, just look at the calibre of players that were here start of the season, Newby, Liam Nash etc. Also look back at the players the club has had before when I played the likes of Scouse, Martin Touhy, Sam Clarke, James White all have gone on to play at a higher level so there is no reason why we can attract similar players back here. This club has fantastic facilities, is a warm & friendly place to play and if we do things the right way, which I will ensure we do then these kind of players will want to come here.

Dave Patience has been made the Director of Football at the club. You've worked with Dave before for quite some time. Are you looking forward to joining up with him again?
I know Dave very well, we have worked as 1 & 2 at Burnham for over five years so we know each other inside out & of course it will be good to work together again. Unfortunately DP is not getting any younger & is having a lot of trouble with one of his knees so the partnership maybe slightly different than before with him taking a less active role but again it's early days and his passion & determination for the club to do well is something we should take a leaf out of. What I do know is that he will be invaluable to me in terms of the stuff that most people don't see, the paperwork behind the scenes side of things allowing me to concentrate on the football. We work well together have never had an argument so I know that won't change and that if we replicate what we achieved first time round at Burnham then we are all in for some exciting times.

You made your Rovers debut on the 19th October 2002, coming on as a sub in 2-0 defeat away at Thame United. Do you remember much about the game, joining players such as Danny Pitts, Mark Hampshire, Neville Hickton etc?
Now you mention it I do remember my debut. I remember Terry Howard playing & being a little starstruck. I'm an Orient fan (that might not go down to well with our Southend fans lol) and I remember watching Terry for many years at Orient so to get the chance to play alongside a hero of mine was a new experience. As for the game I think I get 20-25 minutes. It was freezing cold, pitch was shocking & we should have got something from it. I remember I was made to feel very welcome by everyone at the club players, committee & supporters alike. The names you mention I still speak to occasionally and we always talk about the good times we had at the club. This kind of bond is what I want to bring to the team now.

You grabbed 15 goals in your Rovers career. Do you remember your best effort?
I thought I scored more than that !!! That's not bad though from left back. As for the best I have two. Firstly I think people have probably heard it from Jim Laird before and if I don't mention it he'll have a moan. Hemel Hempstead away I hit a volley from about 30-35 yards after the ball was cleared from a corner and it flew in. Jim bumped into the keeper of Hemel a few years later and even he remembered it so it must of been good. The other one was a free kick in the semi final of the Essex Senior cup against Aveley. Wasn't the best free kick I've ever hit but the importance as that made it 2-0 and got us to the final. Nobby, God bless him, had a load of photos from that match, I still have them somewhere and the celebrations after that goal were great as well.

Is there anything you would like to say to the Rovers faithful?
Yeah basically your support is needed now more than ever. I appreciate there probably hasn't been much to shout about over the last few weeks but whoever dons that green & white shirt from now on will be giving nothing less than 100% and they or I can't ask no more than that. We also need them the supporters behind us, both in their numbers & vocally. It may take a few games but all of us can turn our current situation around. I'd also say that I want to get back to the days when I played here, when players & supporters mixed after the games. So come in the bar after the match speak to the players & staff. I've always been approachable for a chat, I value people's opinions and if it creates a happier environment then the only ones to benefit will be us.
To coin Mr Ketteridge's old phrase when I was here the Future's Bright the future's Green & white. Up the Rovers!!!