New Lordswood boss Nicky Southall is relishing the challenge ahead of him after being appointed last weekend. 

In his first interview with KSN since being named, the former Gillingham midfielder admitted being out of football since the end of last season has been a “blessing in disguise” telling us, “After my time at Ramsgate last year when we lost in the Play Offs to Hythe, I felt like I just needed a break, after you’ve been in the game so long, and I think that I didn’t want to admit it, but I just sat down and admitted it to myself to just freshen up and almost fall in love again with the game of football as it’s been a long period for me, week in and week out, especially with what went on at Dover – I needed three years off after what happened there,” Southall joked.

“I think this time “off” is the first time I’ve had any time off since I was a youngster – it’s crazy really being Saturdays, training and being involved in management; it’s all geared up for one thing and that’s for Saturday at three o’clock!” 

“So when you get up on a Saturday and there’s no match to look forward to, it’s OK for the first few weeks and months, but then you start thinking I’ll just check this result, I’ll just check that result and you start getting yourself back in and I then ended up going to Priestfield and then walking round the pitch and getting the feelings back and flowing through your blood again as you walk in front of the supporters, it just got me back stirring and thinking that this is my life – but I really did need the break!” 

Southall’s announcement last week as Matt Barman’s replacement took many as equally by surprise as the news of Barman’s departure from Martyn Grove did in the first place – the new man explained what happened.

“I went down and had a chat with the Club. I’ve known Jason (Lillis – Lords’ director of football) through our Gillingham connections and he was my assistant at Whitstable, so I know him, and he has worked for a long time at the Club.”

“So, I went and had a chat with the Chair and Vice Chairman, and they more or less sold the Club to me. Although I was in an interview, I wanted to know what their ambitions are and the plans moving forward – what’s for the future – and it looks really good and very good on paper.”

“They are two guys who are really passionate about the Club and want Lordswood to climb the Leagues as I do as well being the manager, competing for Play Offs and Cup competitions – that is what we want!” 

“We’ve got a really good youth section and always have done as I can remember doing Presentations there over the years as the Club seems to have lots of teams and it seems to be really well run behind the scenes in that department, so it did tick a lot of boxes for me and it’s local – I’m just really excited and looking forward to the challenges.” 

“The Club is trying to do things the right way and that is massively pleasing to me as I do not think I would have accepted the job if that had not been the case.”

“I’m ambitious and I’ve been assistant to a lot of good people over the years, winning promotions back to back with Maidstone and the Play Offs last year with Ramsgate and did well with Dover, so I think it’s my time now and if I can do well at this level and maybe get noticed, I’ve still got loads to give. I needed a break and have come back fighting and eager to go!” 

“I’ve inherited a young squad and the very first thing that I said last Saturday when I walked in the door was that I wanted them to be as professional as they could get with everything they do and the way they conduct themselves around the Club, the way they train and approach training, the way they eat and drink – and have a professional approach even though they play at the level we are.” 

“I am a great believer that everyone finds their levels in football so they are where they are now so can they now make the step to the next League or even the few tiers above and push onto being a professional.”

“Most of them are only young – eighteen, nineteen, twenty-year-olds – so there’s still plenty of time to reach the heights.” 

Saturday saw Southall’s new side go down 4-2 at Holmesdale and the new boss admitted, “it was not the best game of football. We got ourselves back in it after going 2-1 down to be 2-2 at half time and there was only one team in it to be fair after the break.”

“I then made a change and a bit of ill-discipline from the player saw a straight red card which was really disappointing as it looked like we were the ones who were going to go on and win the game.”

“And on a heavy pitch with a team that have not played for a few weeks, it caught up with them in the end!” 

Saturday sees the Lords welcome Snodland Town to Martyn Grove in the only non-League game being played in Medway this weekend, and Southall is hoping for a decent gate for his “home debut.

“Being a local myself, I hope that a lot of fans will come to the game with obviously my connection with the Gills who haven’t got a game,” he told us.

“If people want some local football come down and support us – It will be great to see you in the bar after the game. It would be lovely to get a bit of support from football fans in Medway on Saturday as we are the only game this weekend locally and hopefully you will see a good game of football!”