Leatherhead manager reveals, 'I knew it was a big club but I didn't realise how big'
New Tanners boss Luke Tuffs says he was 'overwhelmed' with the support at his first home game in charge
Luke Tuffs enjoyed his first home game in charge at Fetcham Grove. Image credit: Steve Ball
In charge for his first home game as Leatherhead manager, Luke Tuffs admitted after the 0-0 draw with Bishop’s Stortford, “I knew it was a big club but I didn’t realise it was this big until I got here”.
The 34-year-old stepped out at Fetcham Grove for the first time as boss and made it five points from the last three games as his side dug in and defended heroically without creating much going forward.
All that will come in time and the important thing for Tanners fans is they can see their team now has a structure and a desire to stay in the Isthmian League Premier Division even though they remain seven points from ensuring they stay at Step 3.
If Tuffs pulls that off it will be an incredible feat and it was clear from Saturday’s showing he has already instilled a team spirit as well as injected fun into proceedings and the players already respect him and have responded accordingly.
“I am delighted,” with that,” he said after seeing his side pick up another point, with the width of a goalpost saving them late in the second half while inspirational Brighton U23s goalkeeper Adam Desbois, aged 21 and signed on loan, pulled off two or three cracking saves for the hosts.
“We are not going to break rank here, we are not looking at results, what we are looking at is, are we making strides forward? Do we look like a team that’s been together? Out of possession, do we look good and like we have a shape? And are we asking other teams questions?
“I think we are starting to get an identity which is really important. And I think, even the young players, are starting to get a lot more professional with their performances. I thought it was a very professional performance against a superb side. They [Bishop’s Stortford] are in and around the promotion spots for a reason and I could not have asked any more from the boys. “That’s three unbeaten now for the first time this season and you can see what it means to the supporters at the end.”
Asked if he enjoyed his first game at the Grove he smiled: “I never really enjoy the 90 minutes. But it was an absolute buzz managing here for the first time. It’s such a good support base here. It’s impossible not to enjoy it. The support they have given us, whether we are winning or losing, they are still there and I am overwhelmed at the size of the club. I knew it was a big club but I didn’t realise it was this big until I got here.
“Overall I think we did really well. We have had a couple of half chances, so did they, but it was a game based on territory which is kind of what we wanted. Five points from nine is a start, that’s all it is.”
Leatherhead defended as though their lives depended on it at times, particularly centre-backs Mitchal Gough and Cameron Black and Desbois was called upon in the 11th minute when Ryan Henshaw had a free header from a corner and he somehow pawed it away from the top corner.
Black was almost caught out for being a little too complacent when in possession and Desbois again came to the rescue when he saved low from Ben Marlow close in.
When Stortford’s Darren Foxley was sent off after an altercation 15 minutes into the second half, it helped the Tanners, who had their moments but rarely threatened.
In the closing stages the hosts were grateful to Desbois again when he brilliantly denied Frankie Merrifield from distance before visitors’ sub Ryan Charles beat three players and hit the inside of a post, the ball rebounding across goal to safety.
Leatherhead FC play at Fetcham Grove, Leatherhead, Surrey.
