Ian Varley
Varley: It has been a fantastic season
Published by Gillingham Ladies Media on May 31, 2010
Ian Varley has guided Gills Ladies to their most successful season ever and not only that but it was his best season as a manager as well.
He had a vision when he started the season way back in August and we caught up with him to find out just how well it went.
Reflecting on the 2009/10 season, he said: “Personally for me my targets were to be League winners, Kent Cup winners, League Cup Winners and FA Cup Quarter Finalists.
“We came up slightly short on two of these but ultimately we achieved the biggest prize which was promotion to the Southern Premiership and I am delighted with that. I always set high standards and the team has performed to my high standards throughout the season.
“It is a remarkable turnaround for a team that finished second bottom in the previous season to win the League this season.”
The Kent Cup was one of the manager’s targets for the season and he is delighted that the Cup came back to Kent for the first time since the Gills won the trophy in 2001.
He added: “The Kent Cup was a trophy that I thought we should win and to be named the best team in the County is a great achievement in itself.
“We only conceded one goal throughout the competition and to beat a good Millwall side in the final was a great achievement. I expect us to defend the trophy next season.”
To achieve the manager’s aim of winning the South East Combination Women’s League Ian needed to sign some new players.
He did just that and each one has stepped up and performed for him throughout the season and performed week in week out consistently.
He said: “They have more than stepped up to the plate this season and I have been delighted with not only their performances but their overall attitude.
“It would of have been quite easy for them to be big time coming from bigger clubs but they have all knuckled down and played a huge part in our success.”
Not only did he need new players to freshen up his squad but he needed the existing players to up their games, and he is delighted they did just that.
He added: “The likes of Becky Lyon, Les Kay, Vicky Ashton-Jones and Whitney Judd are all good players and they have really kicked on this season.
“Those players stood out in previous seasons anyway but now they have all reached a new level in performance which is a great credit to them all.
“The young players have been a breath of fresh air this season and again have contributed to our success. Personally I know they have learnt a lot this season which will benefit them in the future.
“The good thing is now even playing reserve football it is a Premier League standard so they will only get better. The future of the club is exciting.”
There have been a number of good performances from the Ladies this season, the Barnet performance the Kent Cup victory. Yet the manager has a different game that stands out for him from the season.
He said: “I think to beat Enfield four times was something that I am proud of as they are certainly the second best team in this division.
“If I was to pick one performance it would be the 8-1 win at MK Dons. MK were second at the time and to beat them as comprehensively as we did it was a great performance and a fantastic result.”
At the end of the season Ian was named Kent Coach of the Year following his success with Gills Ladies and he was rightly a happy man.
He added: “I am really proud to be named Kent Coach of the Year but as I have said before it is not just me it is Martin, the players and everyone associated with the club that has helped me win the award. It is something that I didn’t expect but again it is something I am very proud to win.
“Overall it has been a fantastic season and one I am proud to have been a part of. I am just a small part of a great club that has great people who are dedicated at what they do.”