Gary Abbott

[Gonzo]

I see Hornchurch have just released him - is he well and truly past it or worth a spell up front for ETFC?

[lovely stuff]

He could do a job in the Ryman 2 in five years time,let alone next season.

 

But will Abbo be happy with an 'expences' wage....There's always some clubs willing to pay decent wages to a recognised goal-scorer.

[Southport - TOWNER]

would put a few on the gate, people would be interested to see what he is still capable of

 

[billy]

he would get you a hat full in ryman 2? he would even score in the esl?

[Gonzo]

So people seem to think Abbo could do a job for us in Ryman 2 - I wonder what JC thinks about this...

[Southport - TOWNER]

Gonzo - liked he'd tell you what he thought, youo'd only whinge or whine or wine?

 

hee hee

 

 

[theabbeyabbott]

I think Gary Abbott would be more suited at the Abbott's!!!

 

Seriously, when does a player like this finally say ok I am worth this now, which could be peanuts, and actually play for peanuts instead of living on past reputation? And please don't get me wrong I know the quality of GA in the past.

[Beer Sponsor]

For anybody to sign Gary these days it could only be a short term fix (as it has been for his recent clubs). Not sure that ETFC need that-maybe better suited to others?

[Southport - TOWNER]

I don't have any peanuts, but I have 3 jacob's Digestives, in nice red packaging (acquired in a hotel) do you reckon that would do the trick?

 

surely some of thee players get to the stage where they play becasue they enjoy the game, chris waddle for example

 

 

 

[Gonzo]

To be honest a short term fix wouldn't be a problem. It's a means to an end. Anyone who can bang the goals in and get us moving up the Ryman ladder has to be the right player.

 

The opportunity for Abbo to relive some of his EFC glory days at an up-and-coming club has got to attractive - I doubt he'll see larger crowds outside the conference divisions.

 

I'd hope at this stage he's not in it for the money, but who knows?!

 

[sT, Of course JC values my opinion - i hear he wanted to have a 'chat' with me about some of my recent footballing insights so he was obviously after some advice! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />]

 

 

[Southport - TOWNER]

Quote:

Gonzo said:
..................
[sT, Of course JC values my opinion - i hear he wanted to have a 'chat' with me about some of my recent footballing insights so he was obviously after some advice! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />]

Yes I did hear he was after you, but not sure if it was your "insides" or "insights" he was after!!

<img src="/images/graemlins/alert.gif" alt="" />

[mala_D]

Sorry...just spotted this thread.

 

I'm afraid Abbott didn't really impress the HFC fans....despite his past reputation.

 

...if you want a fairly tall, lumbering forward who has no pace then fine. He did score a couple of goals, but did also miss some "sitters" from within the 6yd box.

 

But to be fair, while he might be a "veteran" [38?], his experience might be a useful addition.

[Gonzo]

"GEORGE BORG APPOINTED BRAINTREE TOWN MANAGER

Gary Abbott appointed as Player/Assistant Manager

Braintree Town Football Club have appointed George Borg as their manager for season 2004/05. George has a fine non-league record in management. Having started his managerial career with Chelmsford and Harrow in the early-Nineties, he moved to Enfield as Graham Roberts’ assistant in 1993 and helped secure runners-up spot for Enfield in the Isthmian League Premier Division behind champions Stevenage in 1994. Following the departure of Roberts in the summer of 1994, George won the Isthmian title with Enfield in 1995, missed out on a repeat in 1996 by one goal and again finished runners-up to Yeovil in 1997, despite collecting 95 points and finishing unbeaten away from home all season!

1998 saw George offered the Aldershot Town job and he immediately won the Division One championship and with it promotion to the Isthmian Premier. The following four years saw the Hampshire side regularly among the championship challengers, with a best finish of runners-up in 2001.

George also has a fine cup pedigree. In 1995 George guided Enfield to the Third Round of the FA Cup, where they lost narrowly at Premiership side Leicester City, while the two following years saw the club knocked out in the Second Round Proper. At Aldershot George guided the club the Second Round Proper in 2000 and the First Round Proper in both 2001 and 2002.

After helping Billericay secure a mid-table finish during 2002/03, he was offered the Hornchurch manager’s job at the beginning of last season and led the club to the top three. He stepped down at the beginning of April because of his coaching commitments, having again taken his club to the Second Round of the FA Cup.

Braintree chairman Lee Harding was delighted with the appointment: “George was always our preferred choice to lead the Club in the years ahead. Despite being spoilt for choice by a number of quality applicants, we have been patiently negotiating with George and I am pleased to have got our man! He has a proven pedigree at our level of the game and has been involved in either the championship or promotion race for nine of the past ten seasons - an amazing, consistent record. He will be given both the time and the resources necessary to turn our club’s fortunes around and all of us on the board are looking forward to George guiding us for many successful seasons.”

George Borg was delighted with the appointment: “I’ve been flattered to have received a number of offers over the past month or so since stepping down at Hornchurch. I’ve known Lee since our days together at Enfield and was pleased to be invited to meet the board at Braintree and take a look around the Club. I am confident that, with everyone’s backing and patience, I can bring the success the board and the supporters want.”

George is a UEFA B Coach and likes his sides to entertain: “I know that Lee and his colleagues want to enjoy their football and so do I. It will take time, but I will do everything I can to build a side that will be good to watch. To the Iron supporters I pass this message. My personal ambition is to manage in the Conference and I believe I can achieve that at Braintree. Get behind the team and I will do everything to bring the success the club is ready for.”

George Borg will be assisted by Gary Abbott in the role of player and Assistant Manager. Gary is one of the most prolific goalscorers currently playing non-League football. A former England semi-professional international and ‘Golden Boot’ winner, Gary spent his formative years with Welling United. The 39-year old was then subsequently sold twice (to Barnet and Enfield), brought back twice for substantial five-figure fees and was instrumental in both clubs success in the late eighties and early-nineties.

Gary is one of the highest goalscorers in the history of the Conference and remains Welling’s record marksman. He moved to Fisher Athletic as player-coach in May 2003 and then took over as player-manager before leaving to join George Borg at Hornchurch in February 2004. Still in fine physical shape ‘Abbo’, as he is known, is looking forward to leading the Braintree attack next season."

 

[Gonzo]

...and I see we have a friendly against Braintree on the 7th August.

 

[Iron Webbo]

Your friends at Braintree are looking forward to welcoming THE club representing the London Borough of Enfield.

 

Time to get the Bar-B-Q out again I think!

 

Oh, & welcome to and good luck in the Isthmian next season.

[tigerfeet]

should be an entertaining day in august!

 

[Arkwright]

Shame you couldn't have Robbo there to say hello though!