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Daggers boss ready to lead his side to glory
29 May 2010
 | | FOCUSED: Daggers manager John Still wants his side to enjoy a winning occasion at Wembley on Sunday.
Photos: Dave Simpson. |
by MIKE SIMMONDS
DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE manager John Still insists his side can rewrite the record books during their big day out at Wembley on Saturday.
Daggers meet Rotherham United in the League Two Play-Off Final, with the winner playing League One football next season.
In their previous six meetings, Still's men have yet to taste victory against Rotherham, losing four times and drawing twice.
Wembley itself doesn't hold any happy memories for Daggers either, as they lost on their last visit, an FA Trophy Final against Woking in 1997, but that didn't worry a positive Still.
Relevance
"What's gone has gone and will have no relevance as far as I'm concerned," he said.
"We both go into the game and if it's our day, we're going to win it. If it's their (Rotherham's) day then maybe they will, but we're determined to make it our day, we really are."
The Millers will field an experienced side at Wembley, with the division's third-highest scorer Adam Le Fondre in their ranks.
At one stage of the season, it looked like Rotherham had a shout at winning automatic promotion, but in the end, they finished only just above Daggers in fifth position.
"They've got a decent pair up front in Le Fondre and (Ryan) Taylor," said Still.
"(Pablo) Mills is very strong in the middle of midfield, while the two centre halves in (Nick) Fenton and (Ian) Sharps are good players.
"They're what would be classed as one of the bigger clubs and have good players, but they only finished the season a point above us.
"Their season wasn't disrupted like ours either. They didn't have to go and get nine new players at the start of season, they didn't have to find four players in the middle of the season as we sold two and had some injuries.
"The fact we finished a point behind Rotherham is an achievement in itself. On Saturday there are no points between us, it's just that one game. And we will be ready."
Daggers expect between 10-15,000 supporters to make the short trip to Wembley this weekend, where they will hope to turn one end into a sea of yellow as the club lost the toss to wear their home colours.
After living on a diet of non-league football against the likes of Dulwich Hamlet and Walton & Hersham just 10 years ago, victory at the home of football, could see fans on their way to Hillsborough and St Mary's next season.
"I know it sounds a bit corny, but for our supporters to believe we could be playing Southampton, Sheffield Wednesday or Charlton is fantastic," said Still.
"Hopefully we can make their dreams come true and be competing with them.
"It wasn't too long ago they were playing in the Premiership, Dagenham were in Conference and if they played they were looking for an upset, now it might be a reality.
"I think we will take more than 10,000 fans too," continued Still.
"I would say to the local area to forget who you support, give us your support.
"It doesn't matter if you're not a Dagenham supporter, if you're a football supporter and you live local, come and get behind this team and this club.
"You might be Chelsea, Arsenal, West Ham, Tottenham, Crystal Palace, Millwall, it doesn't matter.
"We understand that we're not going to be everyone's first team, but we can be your first team on the day.
"If you're a football supporter, this story we're writing will appeal to you.
"I really hope the local people do get behind the team to make it a fantastic occasion and a winning occasion."
Unlike any of his squad, Still has the experience of playing at Wembley, albeit the old ground.
Then, in the Amateur Cup Final, he was part of the Bishop's Stortford team who beat Ilford 4-1 in 1974.
Now he wants to lead his Daggers team to glory there.
"It sounds a little bit corny to say, but as a kid you want to play at Wembley, well I did that," he said.
"As a manager I think you want to take a team there. When I started managing I had no desire to manage in the Football League at first, but when I did, I just wanted to keep doing it.
"To get to a play-off final and a Wembley appearance, I'm absolutely delighted and very proud.
"Football is very unforgiving. I played at Wembley when I was 19 and I played with people who had never played at Wembley before.
"Now I've 19 and 20-year-olds who are going to possibly play at Wembley and I've got Tony Roberts who has never played there.
"It just goes to show how football can be. If you're in the right place at the right time it can happen for you and that gives me a lot of pleasure."
Although the infamous Wembley pitch took another panning at the weekend, after the Championship Play-Off Final between Blackpool and Cardiff City, Still isn't going to let it unduly bother him.
Worrying
"I don't think it's worth me worrying about things we can't control," he said.
"The players will have all the information, whatever happens, happens and they have to be ready for it."
Still also confirmed he has no injury worries ahead of Sunday's clash and his only real concern was whether to include defender Will Antwi amongst the substitute.
"Will is training and getting better," said the manager.
"What I have to make sure is that if he has to come on, he can play for 89 minutes as someone might get injured.
"By the time we start, I'll know what we have to do though."
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