Regrets, I have a few, but then again... (16.05.03)

ALAN Devonshire finally departed York Road this week, after seven highly successful years at the helm.
Seven cup finals, five trophies and promotion to the Premier League speak for themselves.
However, this week the former England star had his own say on the past, present and future – for himself and the club.
Originally brought to York Road in 1996 as half of a two-man management team, alongside Martyn Busby, Devonshire soon found himself in sole control, when 'Buz' departed for pastures new.
He explained: “I had no intention of getting back into football to this level, but when Buz left, I was stuck with it.
“Maidenhead had been in the bottom six for the past three to four seasons and my first aim was to have a look at everything and try and sort it out.
“They had a lot of old players, so I brought in a lot of young legs from lower leagues – park football really - and built it from there.
“I had no ego for myself. I just wanted to get the players in to learn off me and from my experience as a pro. I like to think I know a bit about the game and I wanted to pass that on."
“I knew the system I wanted to play and started looking for players who would work in that system.”
Slightly controversially, this system turned out to be 3-5-2 but, as he explained, he had some very good reasons for his choice.
He added: “I played 4-4-2 my whole career but felt it was a system you could cheat in. The system I chose meant if anyone wasn't contributing they stood out. And it was a system that worked well at that level.”
And, whatever anyone says, it clearly worked, as United romped to cup success in Devonshire's very first season in charge, an event which ranks right at the top of his list of achievements.
He said: “The first year I was there we won in the Full Members Cup at Yeovil.
“They were top with Enfield at the time and we beat them. That was a real highlight for me.”
The following season, the Magpies missed promotion by a whisker but had the gratifying consolation of winning the Berks & Bucks Cup for the first time in 28 years, a title they retained in 1999.
However, what many would consider to be the jewel in Devonshire's crown was winning promotion to the Premier League in 2000, where United have since established themselves as genuine contenders.
More Berks & Bucks Cup titles followed in 2002 and 2003, leaving an FA Cup run as the only outstanding item on the club's wish list.
However, all this success leads to two very important questions: “Why leave?” and “Why now?”
Devonshire explained: “It’s lots of things really. I have been disappointed with the way Roger and Jean (Coombs) have been treated. They were terrific.
“To have a chairman that you know is 110 per cent behind you is fantastic.
“I have the highest regard for Roger as a chairman and to have that kind of relationship with anyone else would be hard.
“With him stepping down, I felt it was time for me to go as well.
“I didn’t want to overstay my welcome. I thought about it for a long time - since Christmas - and I decided the time was right.
“It wasn’t easy. It was a very, very difficult decision to make. I’ve made a lot of good friends here and I’m a very loyal person. It was hard for me to leave the players as well. But I wouldn’t want to be there regretting I’d stayed.”
His departure has led to wild speculation regarding his own future – and the identity of his imminent replacement.
For his own part, Devonshire said he was still without a job for next season, but hoped to line one up in the near future, adding: “I have a few meetings this week and I might have a decision for you by next week.”
However, he refused to speculate on who would take over at York Road, or even what type of manager should succeed him, saying: “I haven’t got a clue what kind of manager they need to take them forward. Everyone is different and it will be up to them how they do it.”
The York Road faithful no doubt have their own favourites but, whoever it is, their appointment is bound to result in some major team changes next season.
The rumour is that only Lawrence Yaku is under contract to stay at York Road, while some of the players can be expected to follow Devonshire to his new club.
Devonshire added: “I had the same thing when I took over. I lost about half the players. But that’s for the new manager to deal with.”
Summing up his time with Maidenhead United, he concluded: “I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I wouldn’t have done it otherwise. And I believe I’ve left the job in a very healthy state.
“I want to say thanks to yourselves (the Maidenhead Advertiser) and the players for their support, and Roger and Jean and the committee.
“Thanks for a good seven seasons.”
However, in all likelihood, York Road has not seen the last of Devonshire.
He added: “I’ll come back to watch, if I get time, but it all depends what I'm doing myself.
“I’m sure I’ll be down there trying to nick a few players.”