Tuesday’s game against Stotfold was Paul’s 350th as manager. He also managed the side for 22 games in 2009 but it is the period from 25th August 2018 when we beat FC Clacton 4-2 in the FA Cup that we’re talking about now. It’s certainly been one of the longest and one of the more successful periods for a Ware manager.
The Clacton game was the first of 163 wins. The names of the scorers now seem long past and tell us what changes have occurred in the intervening eight years. Let’s just remind ourselves with Lauric Diakiesse, Alaa Oujdi, Albert Adu and Dave Cowley. There’s a report of that match at https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/ware/teams/72309/match-centre/2-745640/report in which you might spot a number of other unexpected or forgotten names.
The Rose Brothers
There have been 171 different players used in in the 350 games. Some made just one appearance, perhaps as a substitute, others stand out for their number of appearances and the particular skills they brought. But perhaps the Rose brothers have their own distinct place in all of this. Louis made 220 appearances for Ware, 168 under Paul’s’ management. Doubtless it would have been more but for the cancer that took his life. Leigh, despite three seasons at Potters Bar, is now up to 219 in total with 170 under Paul.
They were both regular selections as far as Paul was concerned. Those of us watching always took it that they had some sense or instinctive understanding of the way Paul wanted the team to play and that Paul trusted them to implement his ideas. As a result Louis captained the side until illness made that impossible whilst the captain of Paul’s 350th game was of course Leigh.
Leigh writes
“Paul is quite the character. He’s one of those people where you’ll never meet another one quite like him, unique in every way possible. He’s been a pain in the neck for my whole career but it’s been a pleasure to spend some quality years under him.
I always feel it’s a shame we never got the accolades and the trophies to go with some of the memorable seasons we had, but we’ve made a lot of memories and enjoyed the ups and downs of football along the way.
He’s a man I’m very close to on and off the pitch and he’s taught me a lot. Paul has been there personally for me over the past few years through a lot of difficult times and somehow always seems to get people smiling.
He should be proud of what he’s achieved at this football club considering the position it was in when I was a youngster coming through, to where we’ve been over the past decade. He’s part of the furniture here and it’ll be a pleasure to keep captaining his sides for as long as he’s in charge.
So thanks for everything, gaffer.”
All the stats.
Before we move on to the next game let’s take a look at some of those achievements that Leigh alludes to.
Of the 350 games, we have won 163, drawn 78 and lost 109. Goals scored 738 and conceded 557.
Burrowing deeper, with Paul as manager in 2019/20 we reached the top of the Isthmian south central division six points clear and eight games to go only for Covid to scupper our hopes. After the resumption of football in 2021/2 we reached two play-off finals and one semi-final. We have also enjoyed some big moments in the FA Cup including an away replay win at National League Hemel Hempstead and a third qualifying round replay defeat at National League Kidderminster Harriers. Two years later there was another odd-goal replay defeat against a National League side, this time Chelmsford City.
Looking at league games our record against neighbours Hertford stands out. In fourteen matches Paul’s sides have won nine, drawn four and lost one. That series includes seven consecutive away wins. Some will say that there’s nothing more important than that.
Paul also likes to play an attacking game so no wonder we have scored at a rate of more than two a game under him. The highest score came with the 10-1 Southern League home win over Wantage Town on December 4th 2021, our best league win in 67 years. Albert Adu was still around and notched one of the goals but three came from Liam Dulson, and two each from Liam Hope, Taufee Skandari and Josh Williams. More names to ponder there and in the match report at https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/ware/teams/72309/match-centre/1-9420101/report.
A snap shot
Of those mentioned above who developed under Paul, Liam Dulson went on to play in the EFL for Cheltenham Town and is now with National League side Woking; Taufee Skandari moved on to play in the Faroe Islands, Hong Kong and the Afghan Champions League. He has also played 16 times for the Afghan national side.
Thank you Paul
Okay, we’re not a Premier League club but the stress involved in managing at any level especially when holding down a job at the same time can be tremendous. Paul has done this and not without significant success for over eight years, the longest unbroken spell of any Ware manager. It’s a record that may never be broken.
So here’s to Paul, a man who cares about the club and the town it represents. Always approachable, I’m sure he won’t mind if you congratulate him in the bar especially if you buy him a drink too.
