STAN TERNENT has already put his stamp on Town with a pack of new signings – and he won’t rest now as he intends to make the club’s centenary season a huge success.
Renowned for his promotion pedigree and no-nonsense approach, the former Bury and Burnley chief is aiming to make an immediate impact in League I.
Assessing the 2008-09 campaign which marks 100 years for the English League’s first championship hat-trick winning club, Ternent says: “This is no dress rehearsal, we want to go up!”
It’s a comment which reflects his passion to bring a trophy to the Galpharm, his actions in reshaping the squad certainly indicate a desire for immediate success and, if possible, he’s determined to entertain the 16,000-plus people who have bought season-tickets to support a buoyant new era.
“I like my teams to play with a pace, a determination and a balance,” says the manager, who has former Town striker Ronnie Jepson as his trusted assistant and Mick Docherty as coach (they have all worked together before, most recently at Gillingham).
“The philosophy is forward-going, competitive and to play with a high tempo and a high workrate. I want them to play with a chuckle in their boots, if you like, and to enjoy it.
“When you look around our stadium and think of all the season-tickets which have been sold, I say to players that they can work hard all through pre-season and through every week of the campaign and when it comes to Saturday afternoon, it’s got to be showtime.
“Without being disrespectful to Town or to the supporters’ expectations, it’s probably beyond the realms of possibility that we are going to win the FA Cup and it’s unlikely we are going to win the Carling Cup. With the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, it’s important for the fans because it’s a trip to Wembley and can be a great day out for everyone.
“But from my point of view, League I is by far the most important competition for us and I want the players to make sure they get themselves really, really fit and look forward to Saturday afternoon and the chance to perform.
“If they do that, I can get good players in and around me so that I have a problem picking the team – that’s what I want.
“So I am saying to them that I’m paying them for 69 hours a year – 46 x 90 minutes – and they can have a break every 45 minutes within that.”
He added: “Personally I don’t think that’s too much to ask – that they get out there on a Saturday and really have a go.
“They might have the worst game in the world, but as long as they are having a go the fans will be with them.
“It’s as simple as that. I don’t ask an more of the players than that.”
