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Jon Lyons Interview

Jon Lyons Interview

STEPHEN HOWARD1 Oct 2017 - 16:44
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https://www.prestwichheys.com/

The Heys boss talks about his career and his aspirations for the future

You joined Heys in the early days of Adie’s reign. How did that come about - had you played with him previously?
I joined Heys because of my mate Ian Shaw. He was playing for the Reserves and they were short of players so he asked if I fancied a game. On my debut, I scored a 30-yard volley for the winning goal, well maybe 20 yards!
The first time I met Adie was the following game. He was the 1st team Assistant Manager at the time. Joe Murty was the manager.

What was it like playing under Adie?
I loved playing under Adie. They were the best days of my playing career. He made sure we got looked after and tried to make it as professional as possible. I must have spoken to Adie four or five times a week about football, work, women etc. He was a great manager and friend.

Do you have any special memories of that time?
There are loads of special memories from playing for Heys under Adie. Winning three league titles, the Goldline twice and the Gilgryst Cup were all moments I will never forget. Every week you looked forward to matches and training. He had a special group of lads, not just on the pitch but off it as well. We were all best mates, not just lads you know from football.

Where did you play after leaving Heys?
After Heys, I went playing for Salford, Trafford and Irlam.

You were manager at Pennington before coming to Heys. What tempted you to try managing?
To be fair, I've always fancied managing. I loved playing Championship Manager as a kid! My good mate Cleggy (Atherton Collieries Manager) asked me to help him out at Pennington and at the time I wasn't playing because I'd just started my own business up. Shortly after, the call came from Heys, which given my past links, I jumped at.

Have you taken anything from Adie’s management style or any other manager into how you do it?
I would have to say yes. In football, you do learn and pick things up whether that be from players or Managers. I learned a few things off some of my old managers like Adie, Danny Johnson (Trafford) and Dave manning (Irlam) which I have taken forward.

Thinking of how things were when you arrived at the club, how do you feel about what you have achieved at Heys?
I'm very proud of what the club have achieved since I arrived in 2011. As I said I jumped at the chance to return. However, I must say though, two weeks after Me and Karl Kavanagh took over we were thinking what the hell have we taken on here. The clubhouse was falling down, the roof was leaking, lads owed nearly £1500 in fines and there was no money coming in etc. The club have come a very long way in a short period of time. There's a number of people who made this happen but for me, 100%, I don’t think we would be here if Nick & Mike hadn't got involved.

Do you have a dream / target of what you want to achieve at Heys?
I believe whatever you do in life you need to have a dream or targets to achieve and it's no different with Heys. My next target is to get us in to the Counties Premier Division. My dreams are to have a good FA cup run, win the FA Vase and get us promoted to the Evo Stik League’s.

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