Leamington manager Paul Holleran is the subject of the 'Big Interview' in today's Non-League Paper under the headline used above. Holleran talks about how he decided to quit playing at the age of 26 after two knee operations. He hadn't achieved what he had wanted as a player and was becoming increasingly interested in coaching. The article takes the reader through his career, including his sacking at Halesowen, which he sees as his lowest point in football, and the subsequent restoration of his reputation at Rushall Olympic.
The article notes that Leamington were 'a big name' in non-league football in the 1970s and 1980s. Holleran is quoted as saying, 'Leamington has good history as a football town. This club is run really well by very professional people and it's a nice club to be around. It's an example to most people that clubs can compete at Southern Premier level without a benefactor and without being in debt.'
Holleran emphasises that his strategy has been to recruit players at level three or below, players who were still hungry. Stefan Moore had been 'massive' for the Brakes this season, 'but it's not all about him.' The article concludes by saying that 'the spa town has football on the brain again.' Not sure about that.
