EXCLUSIVE: Keith Scott: "Coming back was a difficult decision"

Sportsdesk • Published 7 Feb 2012 12:00 0 Comments

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WINNING is ultimately the important thing. Six words often repeated by Windsor FC manager Keith Scott.

And winning has been a well rehearsed and familiar topic of discussion during post-match interviews with the newly formed club's inaugural boss.

Convinced to make the home dugout at Stag Meadow his own after a successful start to management at Leighton Town, Scott enjoyed near instant success with Windsor & Eton.

The 44-year-old led the Royalists to Berks & Bucks Senior Invitational Cup glory in 2009, beating Marlow 1-0 in the final at Stadium MK, and the Southern Division One Central South & West title the following year, edging out AFC Totton in a enthralling title race.

But his return to Stag Meadow alongside assistant Jim Melvin was met with criticism by small sections of the now defunct club.

And, as Scott, pictured below, now reveals in his own words, he almost turned down opportunity to return to the Great Park but embraces those who have backed him and his fledgling squad who already have a thirst for silverware:

"I thought long and hard about accepting the offer Kevin made because there had been a deliberate attempt to shift blame on to me for Windsor & Eton's failings.

In my opinion, certain individuals were trying to devalue and discredit what had been achieved by players and staff alike under difficult conditions at the old club. Coupled with the fact some supporters believed this, it made the decision to return or not a very difficult one.

But myself and Jim decided to accept the job because we had nothing to hide, had done nothing wrong and the only crime committed was we'd been successful.

If you asked someone to build a squad, make it competitive and ready to start a league campaign in just 37 days they'd probably say it's lunacy, yet Jim and I were confident we could.

After numerous phone calls and meetings there were players to train on the opening day of pre-season and our journey had begun.

It usually takes longer than a single season to build a squad capable of challenging for trophies. So considering everything, the players deserve great credit to be in a position to challenge for the Combined Counties Premier League title and Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy. Their levels of consistency and performance shouldn't be underestimated. The league has held no surprises for us at all. We knew it would be tough and competitive and the title race will be exciting with plenty of twist and turns before the end.

It's clear to see that Windsor FC is much more organised in its structure and development than Windsor & Eton, run by people who truly care and want to take it forward.

The supporters have embraced the new club and continue their work to build its profile in the local community.

To see the amount of people coming through the turnstiles this season is a great collective effort by all and I'm convinced Windsor's future, on and off the field, will be an extremely prosperous one."

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