The Friday Feature: New Tudor Lee Just Loves Flying Solo!

But Lee Bircham’s decision to stay home and not go on the family holiday shows he is deadly serious when it comes to making the most of his new job.

Hemel Hempstead’s manager accepted he just couldn’t take the sunshine break despite already paying for the trip.

Time-wise, being there is not the problem. Having to quarantine on his return is.

He explained: “It’s a shame I can’t go but they’re all leaving me for two weeks so it’s not all bad news!

“Have you even spent two weeks with three kids screaming on holiday? It’s the perfect situation and I can’t wait to wave them off.

“Even if it’s raining here and they are enjoy 30c every day in Portugal, it doesn’t rain in the pub!

“I’m happy to make the sacrifice, it isn’t really possible to be away for all that time because the rules are currently that you need to self isolate for 14 days after.

“It’s just too long to be away so they can all go and I’ll stay at home, focus on the football and get so peace and quiet.

“When you sit and assess it, I’m actually a genius!”

Bircham, whose QPR legend brother Marc has been helped with pre-season, arrived this summer after taking Berkhamsted to the brink of the Southern League title before the season was cruelly cut short.

Now in charge of his home-town team, going local and building a real bond is his number one aim.

A new 3G pitch going in means Vauxhall Road’s doors will be open to the entire community.

Last month, the Tudors announced they were slashing admission by a third in a bid to soften the financial blow post Covid for their fans.

It’s that type of attitude which can help build relationships in tough times.

“This is my home,” he said. “I moved here when I was 12 from Wembley but if anyone asks when I’m from, it’s always Hemel Hempstead.

“There’s an added pressure, but it’s also an added privilege.

“My friends have been coming to Hemel for years so I know the desire to see a winning team is there. But with the new 3G pitch, the chairman’s decision to lower prices and a real local feel here I am hoping it’s something everyone will buy into.

"We want local players too. It just means that little bit more."

Bircham has known Dave Boggins, the man who gave him his National League South chance, since he was a teenager.

Friends for years, the electrician and the club’s main spark already have a strong boardroom-to-dugout connection.

We couldn’t help but ask, so what if it all goes south after a few months?

“Oh, I’ve got too much on him for him to give me the boot!” laughed the 44-year-old, a reliable and rugged right-back at Fisher, Aylesbury and King’s Langley.

“He’s fantastic. If every chairman was like Dave Boggins the game would be a better place.

“He loves football, loves it. I remember growing up he would be at all the local cup finals, even the Sunday League games - he just loves his area and he takes pride in it.

“I’ve known him for so long, it was a little weird sitting down with him and being interviewed!

“He’s got a vision for the club and I’m so happy to try and help deliver it.

“He is Hemel. Not everyone knows this but some players are playing for half their money next season. It’s because of people like Dave that they said yes and don’t go elsewhere.

“Football is going through a very, very challenging period. But not only has he cut entrance costs, he has also told our sponsors they don’t need to pay a penny until January.

“We’re all pulling together. Hopefully the outcome at the end of it all is a really strong season on and off the pitch.

“Even if it doesn’t work out and I’m gone in a few weeks, we’ll still be close. I hope I’ll be here for a while, of course!”

Bircham revealed the real reason why he begun his managerial career - and it had nothing to do with money.

“I actually only started in management because it would guarantee me a place in the team if I did it!” he said.

“I never wanted to be a manager. I was the most senior player so I stepped up with the idea that at least I would play every week. The idea of coming towards the end of my career was scary.

“But after a while I found out that actually this side of the game was fantastic, and that I was pretty good at it.

“I may not have qualifications coming out of my ears but I have plenty of people around me who do.

“We’re looking forward to it. I’m proud, so so proud to be the manager of this club. It’s my hometown and it’s my kind of place.”