Jono Greening looks back at 250 games as Boro boss – Part 1
Scarborough-born Jono Greening, who took charge of his 250th competitive match as Boro manager against Worksop Town on Saturday, gave an exclusive interview, split into two parts, to Steve Adamson on his time at the club to date.
Q – You enjoyed a fantastic playing career at the top level with some big clubs, winning International honours and being involved in European Finals. During your time as a player, was getting into coaching or management something that appealed to you ?
A – Yes, I always wanted to get into coaching or management and stay in the game, that’s why I did all my coaching badges as I was coming to the end of my playing career. I love football, it’s my life, and I always wanted it to continue. Q – After finishing your professional playing career, you dropped into the non-league game, and joined Tadcaster Albion. Do you think your time at Tadcaster has benefited you, in terms of understanding how non-league players have to juggle work, training, travelling and playing the game ?
A – Yes. I enjoyed playing for Taddy, and worked with some great people. Non-league was definitely an eye-opener. I’m glad I carried on playing a few years longer, and I can relate my experience of that time, to how I manage players, and try to help them in terms of everything they have to contend with. Q – You also began coaching at the York-based i2i International Soccer Academy, how did this role help you to prepare for a management position ?
A – A huge help, as I was there seven years, coaching every day and taking two or three games a week, managing people of all ages and from different cultures. It was a great learning curve for me.
Q – When the manager’s job became available at Scarborough Athletic, then in the Northern Premier League, did you apply for the position, or were you approached ?
A – Jimmy Beadle convinced me to put my name in the hat, then I had a good chat with Trevor and Fred, and the rest is history. Q – Your first move upon becoming Boro manager, as to bring in Michael Ingham as your assistant, and you also added ex-Boro players Ryan Blott and Jimmy Beadle to the coaching staff. They have remained with you throughout your time at the club. How important are they, and how well do you work together as a management team?
A – I had worked with Ingy at both York City and i2i, we are good friends and he has great football knowledge. Jimmy and Blotty are club legends, and I wanted to keep the spirit of the club going, so it was a no-brainer. I think we work very well together, and I’m looking forward to many more years together hopefully.
Q – Can you remember your first-ever game as manager, a pre-season friendly against Garforth Town on 6 July 2021, Josh Barrett and Lewis Gibson scoring in a 2-2 draw?
A – I remember it well, I think it was played at Taddy’s ground. It seems a very long time ago now…
Q – Your first NPL match at the helm was a 0-0 draw at Basford United, with the likes of Bailey Gooda, Will Thornton, Lewis Maloney, Ryan Watson, Kieran Glynn and Mike Coulson in the team. Did you think that team was capable of winning promotion?
A. To be honest, I wasn’t sure because I wasn’t tuned into what the other teams were like, and it was a big learning curve, but by January, February we really believed we had a chance, and the players certainly delivered!
Q – There were a few setbacks early in your first season, including a 3-0 loss at local rivals Whitby Town, a 6-0 thrashing at FC United, and a grim 4-0 FA Trophy exit at Liversedge. Did you ever wonder what you’d let yourself into?
A. No, I’m experienced enough to know, it’s all part of football. There are lots of highs and lows, and you have to stay calm and keep working hard. Belief is massive in football.
Q – Results then picked up and the team went on a good run. Players like Ryan Whitley, Ash Jackson, Simon Heslop, Brad Plant, James Cadman and Luca Colville starring in a fantastic 16 game unbeaten run after Christmas, pushing Boro up to fourth and also secured a North Riding FA Senior Cup final place. You must have really enjoyed that run?
A – Yes it was a fantastic second half to the season.
The long unbeaten run that took us to two finals was credit to the hard work and dedication of the staff and players, and obviously great for the fans. Q – Crowds boomed at the end of that season as you led the team into the play-offs, where 2-1 home wins against both Matlock and Warrington secured promotion to National League North. How do those play-off wins rank in your list of favourite Boro memories?
A – The fans played a massive part in getting us to the finals and winning promotion. We really felt the love, and winning the play-off final, and seeing the fans celebrating on the pitch, has been one of the highlights of my long career in football.
Q – You also won the NRSC in 2021-22, beating Guisborough Town 3-0 in the final at York. You later won that cup twice more, in finals at your old stomping ground, The Riverside, Middlesbrough. The NRSC is often maligned, but you seem to enjoy the competition?
A – It’s always great to win a trophy, that’s why we are in football, to try to win silverware. Trevor, the chairman, loves the NRSC, and we do try to do well in every competition we enter. I’m very proud of the three NRSC finals that we’ve won.
Q – After promotion and a cup final win in your first season, how did you see the challenge of stepping up to National League North, with the increased travel, and the prospect of facing some full-time clubs?
A – It was always going to be a challenge, the extra travel and playing full time clubs with big budgets, but we embraced the challenge and wanted to do well. I thought we did very well that season, and were unlucky not to reach the play-offs.
Q – Yes, 2022-23 was another hugely successful campaign, challenging for the play-offs until the final day of the season, but ultimately missing out to Gloucester City on goal-difference. What are your stand-out memories of that season?
A – Obviously disappointed not to make the play-offs, but incredibly proud of the players. We had some great wins, and even on the last day, we seemed on course for a play-off place, but a late goal elsewhere saw us miss out. That’s football unfortunately. Q – Joe Cracknell, Kieran Weledji, Gooda and Maloney were some of the stand-out players that season, and you also brought in some very good loan players, like Danny Greenfield and Ciaran McGuckin. How do you source players, do you have contacts at other clubs?
A – All the players were great that season. I do have many contacts in the game, at academies, agents, and other clubs. I also watch lots of matches and identify players I like, and keep an eye on word of mouth and social media. If I think a player is available who could improve us, I try to make it happen.
NEXT WEEK: Part Two of Steve Adamson’s Greening interview