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Millers introduce new assistant boss, Anton Stephenson.

Millers introduce new assistant boss, Anton Stephenson.

Scott Hatley6 Jul 2014 - 11:00
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Anton Stephenson, the club’s new Assistant Manager, discusses his new role, Gardner’s new squad and his hope for stability ahead of the new season.

With the Millers’ first pre-season game just six days away with the side travelling to Calor Prem side St. Neots Town on Saturday, boss Justin Gardner has been busy recruiting new players for the 2014/15 season.

But his biggest signing may come in the form of one of his most trusted friends, Anton Stephenson, who makes the step up to Assistant Manager alongside Gardner this coming season.

Last campaign the Millers got through four different assistants, but first and foremost Stephenson is simply delighted to have been given the opportunity to work alongside Gardner.

“I’m very happy that Justin has put his trust in me and I really hope it all works well” said Stephenson.

“We’ve been putting this in place really since the last few months of last season when I decided that I wouldn’t be playing anymore.

“Coaching was something that I've always wanted to do – that was always the plan, but the fact that I’ve had to cut short my playing career has just sped up that process.”

As mentioned, Aveley had four different assistants through their 2013/14 campaign and Stephenson believes that stability and consistency will be key to what the club are looking to achieve.

“I think we need a settled structure starting from the top” said Stephenson.

“Once that’s in place it’ll filter down into the playing side and it’s something that both Justin and I have discussed, the need for a settled side.

“If we get things right in the background then we’re hoping it’ll transfer onto the pitch.”

With the underlying aim being consistency, Stephenson acknowledged that he and Gardner will not be looking to wipe the slate completely clean and start from scratch this coming season.

When asked what he will look to change from last time out Stephenson said “there are a couple of things that I’ll be looking to change tactically in terms of how we’ll play with the ball, but I won’t be looking to change a lot.

“There wasn’t that much wrong with the side and how we played last year, just with all the players leaving and the all the chopping and changing it was difficult.”

With Gardner now having Stephenson and new goalkeeping coach Ashley Harris on board, the Millers coaching team can now concentrate on getting their side ready for the season opener on August 9th.

And Stephenson is pleased with the players that Gardner has managed to bring in with the club announcing 11 new signings in the last week.

“We’ve brought in some really good players” said Stephenson.

“We’ve managed to replace those in defence who’ve left in the summer, and the midfield and forwards are looking strong.

“Generally we’ve always been strong in midfield and upfront, but I think we’ll be even better now with the players we’ve brought in.”

And with the first match of pre-season less than a week away the new Millers assistant agreed with his boss’ play-off aspirations, but went with a word of caution.

“Play-offs are the aim but I also believe in the back of my mind that we can do better than that and get automatic promotion.

“But you don’t want to be shouting your mouth off saying ‘we’re going to do this and we’re going to do that’

“One thing that I will say with confidence is that you can expect some really good performances from us this season.”

Finally, having now hung up his boots to swap playing for coaching, Stephenson was asked if his final goal for Aveley, his tee-up and volley scored against Erith & Belvedere, was the best he’d ever scored – his response, “nowhere near…it was my best for Aveley if that counts?”

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