Comment | Read Comments (1)

Basingstoke Town's new manager Frank Gray (right) with chairman Rafi Razzak

FORMER Woking and Farnborough boss Frank Gray has been named as the manager of Basingstoke Town FC - and the new boss is excited about unlocking the potential he sees within the club.

The 53-year-old, who won the European Cup with Nottingham Forest as a player, has been handed a one-year, full-time contract at the Camrose.

"I am looking forward to the challenge," said Gray. "The club has gone through a few problems but I hope we will be able to put that behind us and try to look forward.

"I think Basingstoke is a club with great potential. I would not have been interes-ted otherwise. There is a big catchment area for supporters and the town is capable of sustaining a club at a higher level."

Club president and chairman Rafi Razzak is delighted with the appointment, and is looking forward to a new era at the club.

"I am excited by Frank," he said. "To have someone of his calibre come to the club is a great accolade for the town.

"The selection panel decided unanimously that Frank had the qualities we were looking for. He has done it before at this level and above, and we were very impressed with him in interview."

Gray's predecessor, Francis Vines, was handed a three-year contract shortly after joining the club. The board has decided against giving the new man such a long-term deal - and Gray is happy with that.

"I think a one-year contract is the only way for the club to go at the moment," he said.

"However, we are looking forward beyond that - for the next two or three years."

Another marked difference to the role Vines had is that Gray will work for the club on a full-time basis, being based at the ground most days to develop Town's role in the community.

"If the job was just first-team manager, then it would be a part-time job," Razzak explained. "We need someone to develop football in the community and the club as a whole. That is why the position is full-time."

Razzak added that the appointment will not affect Jason Bristow's role as the club's football-in-the-community organiser and head coach.

Gray takes over at the club with immediate effect but will watch Saturday's Hampshire Senior Cup final from the stands, with Steve Richardson - who has been caretaker-manager - sending the team out.

Although it is early days, Gray has already indicated that he will be joined at the Camrose by his long-standing deputy Gerry Murphy for the new season, which casts doubt over Ricardson's future at the club.

The new manager told The Gazette that he likes to play an attractive, passing game but admits that next season will be largely about stabilising the club, something Razzak agrees with.

"We realise that next season is going to be a challenge," the chairman said. "We want to stabilise the ship but would like to finish in the top half."

Gray added: "We have to rebuild from the base, carry on moving in the right direction and progress as many young players as possible.

"Success will not happen overnight but sup-porters should start seeing the fruits of our efforts in a couple of seasons."

11:35am Thursday 8th May 2008

Print

Email this

Comment