Hi, I’m Jack Slater and I’m the Joint Manager of the team. This is my second season in the role.
A typical matchday starts with me waking up around 8:45am, followed by a 5k or 10k run. After a shower, I head to the ground for 12pm if it’s a home game. First things first – a cup of tea. I then help set up the warm-up while thanking Craig for sorting the changing room, kits and speaker. I prepare the whiteboard with tactical info and greet the players as they arrive, usually having a quick catch-up with them.
Once the team sheet is ready, I hand it in. At 13:20, the players head out for the warm-up and I usually ask them if the playlist was any good! They’re back in at 13:45 for the final pre-match and tactical input. At 13:58, I head to the dugout, shake hands with the opposition manager and then – hopefully – enjoy the game.
After the match, we do a short debrief and I try to help tidy up (if Lynn lets me!), before heading into the bar with the team.
A fun fact about myself is that I’m a former semi-professional football referee and I once sent off Jan Mølby at a Linnets charity tournament! I also used to represent the county in both badminton and darts at youth level. Oh and I once drunkenly completed a course to become an ordained minister of the church... somehow.
One thing I always say is: “There is no substitute for effort in sport.”