Post by Cantankerous Gas on Jun 12, 2014 11:20:34 GMT
Matt Lockwood is set to sign a two-year player-coach deal with Conference South side Sutton United — but admits he would have jumped at the chance to stay with Dundee.
The veteran defender spent four years at Dens and was a key part of the “Dee-fiant” side that defied the odds to keep the club in the First Division after being deducted 25 points for entering administration.
The 37-year-old appeared 20 times for the Dark Blues last season but he did not feature under new boss Paul Hartley.
While realising that his playing days were numbered at the club, he still hoped to be given a chance on the coaching side.
It wasn’t to be, however, and Lockwood will now open a new chapter in his career at Sutton United.
He said: “It’s a great opportunity. I’ve always wanted to be a manager and this can hopefully put me on the road to that.
While some in Scotland may look at going to the Conference South as a big step down in quality for Lockwood, he insists that is far from the case.
He added: “Anyone who thinks this league isn’t good is kidding themselves on.
“It’s as good as the Championship in Scotland. Some people might not believe that but I can assure them it is the case.”
The veteran defender spent four years at Dens and was a key part of the “Dee-fiant” side that defied the odds to keep the club in the First Division after being deducted 25 points for entering administration.
The 37-year-old appeared 20 times for the Dark Blues last season but he did not feature under new boss Paul Hartley.
While realising that his playing days were numbered at the club, he still hoped to be given a chance on the coaching side.
It wasn’t to be, however, and Lockwood will now open a new chapter in his career at Sutton United.
He said: “It’s a great opportunity. I’ve always wanted to be a manager and this can hopefully put me on the road to that.
While some in Scotland may look at going to the Conference South as a big step down in quality for Lockwood, he insists that is far from the case.
He added: “Anyone who thinks this league isn’t good is kidding themselves on.
“It’s as good as the Championship in Scotland. Some people might not believe that but I can assure them it is the case.”
Conference South is as good as the Scottish Championship!
Do you think he is earning more money now than when he was with us?.............
.....“I got Wim Walschaerts in. He was a big one for us. He used to win loads of balls in the middle of the field. I got Dean Smith in - he was a great one. Simon Clark was a great signing, Stuart Hicks was a great signing. We called Smith, Clark and Hicks the three amigos. We should have played 4-4-2, but with three good centre-halfs we had to play them.
“I brought Matty Joseph in, which gave us pace. I got Matt Lockwood in. He was on £125 a week at Bristol Rovers and I said to him, ‘That’s just taking the Mickey, mate.’ So we got him on a good bit of wages and he did very well for himself.
“Locky was a hell of player. Hell of a left foot. I wanted to play him more forward because he couldn’t defend. If I was more forthcoming about it I should have played him and Martin Ling in midfield and let them to go for it. But you don’t really come across a good left back like that who can get forward and put crosses in.”
“I brought Matty Joseph in, which gave us pace. I got Matt Lockwood in. He was on £125 a week at Bristol Rovers and I said to him, ‘That’s just taking the Mickey, mate.’ So we got him on a good bit of wages and he did very well for himself.
“Locky was a hell of player. Hell of a left foot. I wanted to play him more forward because he couldn’t defend. If I was more forthcoming about it I should have played him and Martin Ling in midfield and let them to go for it. But you don’t really come across a good left back like that who can get forward and put crosses in.”
