Seb Hayes is celebrating two years as Holbeach United manager this week – and he’s proud of the work he’s done at Carter’s Park so far.
Wednesday night’s 2-1 win over Sleaford Town marked 100 games in charge of the Tigers for Hayes, who has won 63 of those matches.
He feels that his record stands up to any Holbeach boss in recent history and, having secured a top four finish and lifted the Lincs Senior Trophy last season, says he is delivering the kind of success the club deserves.
And, with a place in the top three of the Future Lions UCL Premier Division, a League Cup semi-final and a county quarter-final to look forward to this time around, Hayes is adamant that the future is bright for the men in black and yellow.
“I’m very happy with my first two years here,” enthused Hayes. “I said I’d bring a trophy here inside three years, but we managed that a year early.
“I’d say that 63 wins from 100 games stacks up against any recent manager here and I’m very proud of that record.
“Enjoyment-wise, being the manager of Holbeach has been the highlight of my managerial career.
“I’ve had no job in football longer than this one – which is something I needed – and I don’t see myself leaving any time soon.
“I think it’s fair to say that, after inheriting a bit of a mess, I’ve helped deliver success here. I’ve never been over-budget and we’ve now formed great links with the Reserves and under-18s.
“We’re now in the League Cup semi-finals for the second year on the bounce and are in the last eight of the county cup again, while also aiming to get in the top four for the second year in a row.
“This is what Holbeach deserves as a club and we’ll always aim for success.”
Having bowed out of the Buildbase FA Vase at Godmanchester last Saturday, Holbeach hoped to put in a performance against Sleaford at Carter’s Park last night.
Hayes is also expecting to have a host of key players available again for the trip to struggling Wellingborough Whitworth this Saturday (3pm).
Adam Jackson, Jack Smith, Jamie Stevens and James Tricks should all return against the league’s basement boys, who have won just once all season.
Although Hayes feels for Saturday’s hosts, he wants his charges to show no mercy in a bid to play themselves back into form.
He added: “We should have everyone available again, which will obviously make a massive difference. We need that experience back in the side.
“People will expect us to go there and win well, Whitworth are having a tough time of it. I want us to get the performance levels high again and that needs to start this week.”
