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Jamie Godbold on why he couldn’t leave AFC Sudbury for Chelmsford City
Jamie Godbold is congratulated by fans after winning promotion this season - Credit: Archant
Highly-rated manager Jamie Godbold insists he has unfinished business at Ryman Premier League newcomers AFC Sudbury, after turning down the advances of Conference South side Chelmsford City.
The 36-year-old, who led the west Suffolk outfit to the Ryman North title this season, spoke with the Essex club about the vacancy at the Melbourne Stadium but, after discussing the issue with his assistant Andy Reynolds, decided to stay where he was.
The former Kirkley & Pakefield boss also explained how he wanted to “earn his stripes” in football management and said he was not ready to take any shortcuts at this stage of his career.
Godbold, who may well complete the signing of two new faces at the Wardale Williams Stadium tomorrow, said: “Chelmsford approached the club (Sudbury), I believe a couple of months ago, and inquired about us, and the club rightly said, maybe at the end of the season.
“Sudbury spoke to me after the last game of the season to inform me of Chelmsford’s interest, but after speaking to Andy Reynolds, we decided we were not ready to leave the club in this position.
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“There are so many exciting things happening in terms of us going up to the Ryman Premier, and that will be a fantastic challenge for everybody.
“The club continues to grow and goes from strength to strength and with the ambition it has, we were not ready to walk.
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“We also have a terrific bunch of lads at the club, and then there are the supporters and committee who have been fantastic.”
Chelmsford have since appointed former Braintree Town boss Rod Stringer and will be looking to build on last season’s 15th-placed finish, the Clarets ending the season under the leadership of caretaker manager, Kevin Maher.
“Chelmsford is a massive football club and with that comes massive responsibility,” explained Godbold.
“While we are ambitious, myself and Andy (Reynolds) wanted to earn our stripes first in terms of where we are as a management team, and we are not ready to take any shortcuts, although it is a positive, from our point of view, that we are being linked with such positions.”
With his future at Sudbury secure, Godbold is planning for next season’s campaign in a higher league.
“We are currently speaking to players right at this minute who might be interested in playing for the club and at its facilities,” Godbold revealed.
