The return of Morgan spices things up

JUST when you thought football was getting boring, with all the summer shenanigans over and dealt with, Trim's back. In many ways he's Guernsey's version of the 'special one' - the arrogance of Mourinho and just possibly the brilliance to back it up.

Trim Morgan's last flirtation with football management ended in disappointment and acriminous resignation at St Peter's.

But now he's back, this time at Northfield.

This afternoon he's top of the table, after just one week in charge, one match, and one nose-to-nose clash with a referee, and Bels, the other contenders in the two-horse race that has developed at the top of the table, are the opposition.

You'd expect Morgan to fancy a challenge and this is one he's clearly relishing after more than six months out of the football limelight.

What does he think of his closest rivals? (He has seen them once this season, by the way.)

'I can't really say what I want to,' he started, uncharacteristically cautiously. 'Obviously they have done well to be where they are. You don't get to the top of the league without working hard. But I think we have got better players and it's my job to motivate them.'

North were well beaten when the sides met over 90 minutes at the Track this year and were set for a much heavier beating at Northfield when the floodlights failed.

So the chocolate-and-blues have it all to do today. But the new boss is in confident and positive mood and seeming to enjoy a return to the limelight already.

'We've just got to do the simple things. I don't think that football's a mystery. It's about motivation and confidence, enthusiasm and team spirit. I love football and I wouldn't be here if I didn't.

'I think this is a great bunch of lads. I loved the response I got from the team in training, the one session we've had so far.'

But where has Morgan been since last season? The last time he appeared on local turf was the much-hyped bore draw centenary Muratti at Foote's Lane. He missed a cup final with Vale Rec later that week, pulled out of the Muratti replay, and disappeared.

Actually, he went all the way to Australia, where he intends to return when he eventually leaves Guernsey, probably in 18 months' time.

He played three times for his old team in Oz - 'I enjoyed that' - but decided to come back to the island. A family bereavement in Australia and the new sixth-form centre at the Grammar School, where Morgan teaches, were key factors, not football.

'I wasn't interested in the attitude towards training, I just thought no, I'll just relax and take it easy.

So how did Morgan come back into Guernsey football?

The guy who takes the credit is known to many, and a particular pal of Morgan's.

'Peter Stables runs the cafe at school and works out in my gym, he's a good friend of mine, we're always chewing the turf,' Morgan said of the popular restaurateur, who is on the North committee.

'He just said do you fancy coming up there? I came up and met the committee on Wednesday. I said yes on Thursday.'

And seven days later North were back on top of the Cable & Wireless Priaulx League.

Morgan currently passes a lot of praise to his backroom team: Grant Chalmers, at least his equal as a midfield talent in his day, and the more prosaic defender Mike Newton, who dedicated his promising career to coaching rather than playing.

But hasn't the Northfield move actually been in the offing for some time? Nearly 12 months ago I was asking questions over whether Morgan was on his way across Grand Fort Road.

Morgan is uncharacteristically quiet. He strokes his chin. 'I don't think I ever thought about it,' he said. 'But playing with these players would have been a good choice.

'They are always strong. Dave Rihoy, Jon Veron, Polson, Wilson, the Duffs, all the regular well-known players, always strong, always hard to beat.'

But Morgan has to reverse the situation that has seen North, although well-respected as one of the best-run clubs in the island, always coming second in the Priaulx League.

He is not a natural bridesmaid, and at least one Priaulx boss thinks that he could be the factor that turns the league around this season.

'He may be arrogant, but he's a winner,' he told me.

But Morgan has one management failure behind him - the Sylvans dream ticket that blew up in everyone's faces, the boss included, who quit pre-season two years ago - and a reputation as never hanging on more than a season anywhere.

'You make a decision in life. You have your principles and you stand by them.

'If you're happy at a club you stay with them and if things aren't going the way you expect them to you have to make a decision. I did at Sylvans - I wasn't getting frustrated for no reason.

'If the attitude stays the same at North, I hope to stay here. So far it has just been so positive.'

He described the current top of the table situation as interesting. Always an appropriate word when Trim Morgan is around.