McCann Puts Weight Behind Hampton’s Familiar Latest Look

26 Aug 2020 By Sam Elliott

Hampton & Richmond Borough’s manager Gary McCann is frankly half the man he used to be.

Don’t worry, there’s been no falling out with the London cabbie. In fact he’s always one of the quickest to answer his phone.

No, while the rest of us have been getting a suntan from the light in our fridge during lockdown, the former Hendon manager has shifted two stone.

Slimline McCann has been pounding the pavements during the crisis - and explained the reason why.

“I didn’t really talk about it at the time,” the Beveree boss said.

“My family all knew but my health took a bit of a turn towards what was an early end to the season.

“I had a bit of a wake up call, perhaps I was only one who got something positive out of the lockdown!

“I took up walking and was really careful with what I ate. I feel like a new man and I’ve managed to keep the weight off.

“Sometimes you get those moments where you have to make a change to the way you live your life and I think February has proved to be mine.”

It’s all change at the McCann’s dinner table, and there is something new on the menu at Hampton as well.

For the first time in many years, the club have kept hold of the vast majority of their squad.

It’s a new approach after years of big summer re-shuffles - and there’s an identity being created down in south west London again.

“There’s so much to be said for sticking by players, especially with what’s going on in the world,” the manager continued.

“We were happy with how things we progressing before the shut down - we wanted to keep the core, and add a few here and there.

“What we didn’t want to have to do was to rip it all up and start again. You can’t always be rebuilding.

“We have kept around 14 from last year and adding a few here and there. You always lose one or two you want to keep so you need to react to that too.

“What it does is create a connection with the supporters. They want to have a bond with the players they are watching, and you can’t do that if you have 40-odd players every single year.

“We think we’ve got a good little group together and I’m so impressed with how they’ve reacted to the sessions we have put on.

“Like all players they are desperate to get back to playing for points - there’s a lot of unfinished business stretching back nearly six months.

“That’s a long time and we’re glad supporters can see the positivity in what we’re doing and they can have a bit of excitement about the 2020-21 season when it comes around.”

It’s not just those who have stayed that have added to the excitement in south west London.

Marquee signing Niko Muir has promised to make his second spell at the club just as productive as the first after returning from Hartlepool.

Defensive tough-tackler Rene Steer is also in the bag, as is returning Sam Cox and Eddie Dsane.

Part of the money used to help fund next season’s drive for promotion has come through the fans’ 12th Man fund.

So after a surprise winner last year in the form of Wealdstone, could the National League South title possibly be heading ten miles down the road.

“There’s quite a few clubs out there with a stronger hand than ours,” smiled McCann.

“Every year the division just seems to get tougher, there are some really well backed clubs out there and Hampton have never thrown money around that they can’t afford.

“We would love to be competitive, but I think every manager out there is hoping and trying to get their side looking towards that end of the table.

“Anyone who finishes above Havant will win the league in my opinion.

“I know Dos (Paul Doswell, manager) very well and they aren’t messing around so far this summer. They won’t want to miss out again.

“For me, Dorking are the other side who could have a big say in what happens.

“They are another club who aren’t afraid to bring in a big player if they feel it’s right - they have a lot of ambition and a manager ready to put his money where his mouth is.