It was a hard act to follow. Despite a troubling final campaign at the Daggers’ helm, which saw the team clock up ‘that 9-0’ defeat to Hereford, Garry Hill enjoyed an incredible five-year stint at the club and was adored by many supporters. The man charged with the apparently daunting task of revitalising the Daggers’ fortunes after that disappointing 2003-04 campaign was John Still.
No stranger to Victoria Road (John managed the club after its incarnation in the early 90s) John’s first two seasons brought steady progress; the Daggers just breaking into the Conference Premier’s top 10 by May 2006. No mean feat given the youthful make-up of the new-look Daggers squad, with John clearing out much of the dead wood left by Garry’s final season signings.
It was 2006-07 that the footballing world stopped and took notice of John’s young charges, as they romped to the Conference title that year with a whopping 95 points. Oxford Utd were the nearest challengers, falling 14 points shy of the East Londoners. What made this even more impressive was the lack of resources at John’s disposal. Undeterred by losing Chris Moore to Brentford in the previous close season, as well as Craig Mackail-Smith and Shane Blackett at the midway point in the championship-winning campaign, John kept faith with the squad he had, transforming the Daggers into the most feared opposition in non-league football.
Life in the Football League has had its fair share of ups and downs but John’s philosophy of giving talented, enthusiastic youngsters a go, has never wavered. While many managers shy away from blooding youngsters, John has held his nerve. In turn, he has unearthed many hidden gems, bringing great financial gains to the club. Just last season, a bright-eyed 19-year-old Dominic Green became the latest Dagger to move to London Road in a big-money deal after only a handful of appearances in a Daggers shirt. That season, John’s boys overachieved yet again, finishing 8th in League 2. In the process, John cemented his position, if it were needed, as a true legend at Victoria Road.
As Daggers fans we have become accustomed to success over the last ten years or so, throwing the form book firmly out of the window and hugely overachieving in the process. Yet what has been amazing under John’s stewardship is his resolute mantra of “never getting too high and never getting too low” – a line often wheeled out in post-match interviews. This always brings a smile to my face as reporters desperately try and glean an exuberant quote from Mr Still after a resounding victory. Instead they are met with a “win’s a win” type response aimed at keeping the players’ feet well and truly on the ground. Oh yes, and all this is done while sucking a sweet. Multi-tasking at its finest.
Now as I’ve mentioned, John has a wonderful way with words, and is often keen to share this eloquence with supporters above the dug-out in the Carling Stand. A disgruntled bunch has been known to call for a player to be substituted on several occasions. The response? “Shut up and go home. You don’t know what you’re talking about!” Who are we to argue?
