Following recent discussions we are delighted to confirm that former longstanding manager Darren Salmon will once again be taking the managerial reins of the first team, and again in another blast from the past, Darren will be joint manager with Lee Flavin.
Lee spent a season with us when we first came into Isthmian league and was instrumental in working with Darren on our survival that season. He has also played a key role in bringing imposing centre half Bert Lloyd amongst others to the club.
We look forward to seeing what the Darren and Lee partnership will bring this time around.
Goalkeeper coach Daryl Matthews has committed himself to the club, and we have also taken on Dom Roberts in the role of first team coach. Both guys are new to the club this season.
We caught up with Darren and Lee to get their thoughts on the future.
GB: You stepped down to concentrate on off field work at the end of the 22/23 season – obviously with Sam Morgan moving on, how tough a decision was it to take back the reins?
DS: Yes I did step down at the end of the 2022/23 season which was a calculated decision based on working commitments and the need to get the club stabilised and build the back end of the club up, the youth sides, senior sides, development sides which is an ongoing project will be for the next two or three years to be honest. So it was a difficult decision to step back in to manage the first team, and certainly not one I had considered for this season, but Sam’s departure coming when it did coupled with some uncertainty in the ranks, it felt disjointed, players that may have been bought in that were not necessarily here for the right reasons. When we talk about what the club is based on, we are a community club who has to cut our cloth accordingly financially and it was obvious that players were bought in on far higher sums that had ever been previously agreed. It was there for all to see from pre-season and the FA Cup game that things were not where they needed to be. The main driver was I needed to get stability back in, costs under control and living outside our means.
Given the challenge managers at this time will face, most players are settled, even those that will not stick around at their clubs. If they haven’t got a club you have to question if they are the type of player we are looking for and if they have they are probably being paid for more than we can give them. Tempting them away just to play at a fantastic stadium like Carshalton doesn’t seem to be too likely so I had to review things quickly and get things under control, which obviously has been a difficult job and will be for the foreseeable future, but hopefully supporters and committee will get behind myself, Lee and the boys and put together performances that we are proud to associate with the SCR name, but moreover we have to manage our costs and live within our means.
GB: Would it be safe to say that pre-season was effectively wasted – the manager has left along with several players – and what challenge does that now present to you?
Whilst trying to be diplomatic, of course having not been involved in the selection or integration of new players into the group; the dynamic in the changing room and togetherness on the pitch, it is hugely disappointing to find ourselves with a group which in many respects looked a little fragile. It will be safe to say we anticipated a few players would move on. There will always be players who are loyal to the outgoing manager or fear that there fitness or form is not where we need it to be. The biggest challenge that has faced us is that you can end up utilising three or four games effectively as a pre-season and we don’t have the luxury of being able to do that. We know that we have to make a good start to the season, it was what kept us afloat last season when we didn’t pick up enough points in the back end. Definitely a challenge we couldn’t have foreseen coming, perhaps we had the earliest departure in the non league pyramid this season which is a record we didn’t want
GB: You have paired up again with former joint manager Lee Flavin, how did that come about and what do you expect Lee to bring to the table?
In truth I don’t know if Lee was looking for management integration at this stage, we had spoken about potential clubs he might play for again, and the logistics of where Lee lives does make it a challenge. I know though from past dealings that he doesn’t see that as an issue. He is very motivated, and very driven. We need stability and with us having worked together in the past we know what each other brings to the table, which will help us achieve that.
Lee is a very strong man manager, good with budgets and has an excellent tactical mind – it is an ideal fit.
Lee and I are both very marmite characters, I don’t imagine everyone is happy with every decision we make, but as a manager it comes with the territory.
GB: Are you excited about the prospects of leading the side again.
I wasn’t expecting to find myself at the helm, nor had I considered what it looked like. I had often joked that it was 29 years and out, but I had always thought I would come back for a 30th season, just not for the 2024/25 season but you know me well enough to know, and as long as Lee and I remain at the helm, that we will give it 110%.
The first thing was to settle down the group, see who remained and who we needed to add and it is safe to say we haven’t sat on our laurels and it has been a very active week, especially for Lee as I have been tied up with work commitments. We have caught up a lot, and now as we go into our first few games it gets the adrenalin pumping.
Please get behind us and the lads and hopefully we will give people a lot to shout about, and hopefully the season will turn on its head and from one of the most challenging and disappointing starts to one where we can aspire to push beyond Sam’s last season and the highest ever league finish.
GB: So Lee, you’re back with SCR, how did that come about, and were you planning to get back into football management before speaking to Darren.
It was deffo not planned that’s for sure, I have been taking a break from the management hot seat for a while and didn’t plan to be back for another year or two atleast. Once I got a call from Darren with an offer we spoke across the week and I finally agreed to take it (if he would return with me).
GB: Last time you were at the club, the season was already in progress and obviously you played a huge role in keeping us in the division. How does this task in hand compare?
When I was last at the club it was a very difficult time for me personally – losing some very important people in my life like my father, best friend & other family members on top of that steering the club to safety from a relegation battle was huge. I think if any one knows this division this year, will certainly know it’s littered with a lot of big hitters! Half the division atleast will fancy there selfs at promotion.
GB: For the spectators, what can you bring to the table that will help us have a successful season? And realistically what would represent success?
You’ll see the usual ME, hard working energetic and a passionate club man looking to improve the football club on a whole. The boys will be hard to break down they’ll graft from minute 1 to minute 90 – I think SCR has always targeted staying in the division but the last time I was here it was a little different there was an aspiration and expectation to be a bigger side in this division. I will look to continue on that front foot approach and the bar will still remains and nothing changes.
GB: Finally, are you pleased to be back?
The club means a lot to me – I have been through some of my hardest days here so to be able to help them in there time of need is special to me.