I’ve had to give up my part-time job as a BT engineer after landing my first role as an EFL manager

11 months ago 59

STUART MAYNARD spent the best part of two decades as a telecommunications engineer – now he’s engineering Notts County’s promotion push.

The Magpies’ new gaffer spent 19 years as a BT engineer, a role he fulfilled at the same time as being a non-league manager.

Maynard had to give his part time job as a BT engineer – which he had for 19 years – to take the gig[/caption]

But the former Wealdstone manager has finally ditched the day job after County came calling for his services, something he’s delighted about.

He told The BBC: “I’m excited to solely focus everything I’ve got on football.”

Maynard is thrilled to finally be in the big time that is the Football League, an experience he thought may never come when he was toiling away in the fifth division of English football.

The 43-year-old – who was officially appointed as County’s new manager this week – admitted: “It’s very tough.

“With football, you have to give your whole commitment and be all in – it was a lot of nights out watching games to understand players and trying to improve. It’s 24/7.

“And that’s what’s got us excited – what we achieved at Wealdstone, basically training three hours a week, to now have everything at our disposal.

“There is no excuses for anything.

“It was always the ambition to get into full-time management.

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“We knew it wasn’t an easy step, but also knew that when we did step into full-time we wanted to be coming to the right club and the right project.

“We are really looking forward to working in this environment.”

Maynard has been joined at Valley Parade by his former Wealdstone assistants Matt Saunders and Craig Saunders, who got a first-hand glimpse at their future players when they thrashed The Stones 6-1 last season.

He said: “That’s what excites us – to work with this level of players. Once we get our level of detail into them, how they can transform it and make it even better, our philosophy and structure.

“I’m hugely proud to be given the opportunity and the trust that Chris and Alex [owners Christoffer and Alexander Reedtz] have put in me and Matt to take this role.”

Maynard’s first outing as Magpies boss was supposed to take place this afternoon, with his troops welcoming Stockport County to Meadow Lane.

But the match was CALLED OFF this morning due to an unplayable pitch, the result of the big freeze which has gripped the UK.