S2 Ep2: Neal Ardley

Woking's current manager Neal Ardley is the latest being grilled by Dave Anderson. There's the AFC Wimbledon connection between the two but there's much to learn about the development of a manager who also took Notts County to the FA Trophy Semi Finals and the National League final, then Solihull Moors to the National League final before a spell at York City in difficult circumstances. One of the most insightful interviews yet in the podcast that every football manager is talking about.

After retiring from playing in his mid-20s through injury, a career in coaching was the obvious choice. Assistant roles at Eastleigh, Aldershot Town and Crawley Town were followed by a coaching role at Sutton United. After Paul Doswell stepped down Matt Gray took charge of the Surrey side for the final match of the 2019 season which led to the job permanently, leading them to promotion to the Football League in the 2020-21 season. After narrowly missing out on the play-offs and losing the EFL Trophy Final at Wembley after extra time in his first season managing in the Football League, a mid-table second season was followed by the sack in his third. Just over a year on, he faces Dave Anderson and reveals he's learned a lot and is very ready for a return to the dugout. 

The second part of the revealing interview between Dave Anderson and his former Gaffer, former CEO at AFC Wimbledon Erik Samuelson. In discussion, the appointment of Wally Downes, Simon Bassey and the clb returning to Plough Lane.

The Non League Gaffer Tapes returns with a slightly different twist. In the hot seat facing Dave Anderson is his former Gaffer, Erik Samuelson former CEO of AFC Wimbledon. Discussing how he became involved in the newly formed club, hiring and firing of managers and challenges faced by a club in the spotlight, this is an insight into modern football that all will enjoy. This is the first part of two very entertaining and insightful pods with Erik.

Newmarket Town, Cambridge United, Kettering Town, Watford, Latvia, Yeovil Town, Bristol City, Northampton Town, Peterborough United, Cheltenham Town and now Torquay United have all played a part in the making of the man and the manager that is Gary Johnson. In an open and honest interview with Dave Anderson he reveals the benefits that come with being successful and older; the importance of trust and being yourself; why there's nobody in the game he's worked with he wouldn't shake hands with now and how even serious health issues couldn't keep him away from the touchline.

Top of the National South with the best home record in the country, Wealdstone boss Dean Brennan is enjoying life, but it's not been without ups and downs. Hear how his then day job led to his first managerial chance in non league, the highs and lows of the Tamplin Era at Billericay and why he doesn't give a pre-match team talk. It's Dublin meets Belfast in the accent department and the first manager to turn the tables on Dave Anderson and pose a question to him.

It's his first real managerial job after a very brief caretaker spell previously, but Ian Evatt has proven he has what it takes at Barrow, currently leading them ahead of the rest of non league at the top of the National, but can he cope with the interrogation of The Gaffer Tapes' Dave Anderson?

Gary McCann reveals to Dave Anderson how he had the managerial mindset years before he went into coaching. 12 and a half years at Hendon as manager and now Hampton and Richmond Borough, he explains the importance of the relationship with your Chairman and the need to grasp opportunities as they arise. Plus the multitude of problems of managing a club without a ground and how having other managers to lean on and seek advice from is essential to your professional development and personal sanity.

Gaffer interrogator Dave Anderson has never been a big fan of joint manager roles, but he's always been a big fan of Jon Underwood and Neil Baker current joint managers at Slough Town and it would be tough deny their 500 plus games in charge have been anything but successful. By then end of this bumper episode even Dave may be about to become an advocate of joint manager roles....

It's another Steve in the spotlight. This time it is Steve Baker current manager at Harrow Borough. Well known to Dave Anderson as a player, as a coach and as a friend but that doesn't hold back his questioning. A bumper episode ahead of Christmas, just shy of the hour.