‘This is why I manage football teams’ – Mildenhall boss Greygoose’s delight as Mildenhall secure the double
Mildenhall players celebrate winning the League Cup at Diss. Photo: GREGG BROWN - Credit: Gregg Brown
Dean Greygoose hailed his Mildenhall Town side after they secured a league and cup double this afternoon.
The Hall, who won the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division title a fortnight ago, edged past local rivals Newmarket Town 2-1 in the final of the League Challenge Cup.
Stephen Spriggs netted his 24th goal of the season to ensure Mildenhall retained the League Challenge Cup, after Luke Butcher’s first minute header had been cancelled out by Mark Webster early in the second half.
“It’s absolutely amazing,” beamed the Hall boss. “It’s as good as anything I’ve done.
“This is why I manage football teams.
“This is as close to playing football as a manager as you can get. It’s probably more stressful I know that!
“I’m so proud of my players, so proud of my club and supporters.
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“What an amazing 18 months!”
The fate of today’s League Challenge Cup final hanged in the balance when Webster equalised for Newmarket, but Spriggs’ deflected strike midway through the second half proved to be decisive.
“He (Stephen) hasn’t played properly for two years and he’s come to us and we’ve had to look after him,” Greygoose said.
“Even at the start of the season, when he wasn’t playing well, he was setting up so many goals.
“It was his free-kick we scored off today.
“His assists and goals have been unbelievable.
“It’s up to him, but I’m hoping he stays next season. If we can get him involved in the game more, he’s our match winner.”
Mildenhall’s win in today’s final saw them become the first team since Sudbury Town (now AFC Sudbury) in 1990 to successfully retain the League Challenge Cup.
And while the Hall will not get the chance to defend the cup next season, having now been promoted to the Ryman League, Greygoose puts his side’s achievements in 2016-17 up there with any season he has been involved in.
“It’s as good as any because as a manager I can say, that’s my team,” he said.
“We’ve played like champions.
“We’ve found a way to win and that’s been the key to our success.”
