As we celebrate Black History Month, Maidstone United manager George Elokobi discusses his route into coaching, the job he has done with the club, and his ambitions for the future...
My coaching journey started way back in 2018 when I decided to start acquiring my badges. I was playing at Colchester and I started doing qualifications but then I left it for three years because I thought I'd prefer to go into something else with other qualities I have.
In the last three months of my playing career I decided to go back into it and expand my knowledge. I took courses and started doing a B license. I realised I've got management qualities and not just tactical knowledge. I followed my heart and I started coaching the Under-16s and Under-17s at Maidstone, while I was still playing. I enjoyed it and started working with even younger players, too, like the Under-11s and Under-12s, adding to my 'coaching library'.
The chance came six months after I'd retired to become interim manager at Maidstone because I'd been putting in the work, studying, and doing my badges. I was ready and I put together a fantastic backroom staff. We have fun and when we have challenges, we come up with ways to solve those problems. It's not a one-man show – I have a fantastic assistant, Craig Fagan, a goalkeeping coach Zach Foster-Crouch and the Head of Medical, Paul Smith. Everyone else behind the scenes is incredible.
We started in the second half of the 2022-23 season and it was a baptism of fire. We were unable to keep the club in the National League and we had to rebuild the squad and then even last season it became a challenge because when you do so well, there will be departures. Those are the challenges and experiences you need as a young coach – but you also get rewards, like our run to the fifth round of the Emirates FA Cup. To achieve that was something really special.
I'm really lucky to be at a club with such a fantastic board that supports me so well. The owners and directors are people with integrity. I'm grateful for the opportunity they gave me and the way they back me. The community is together and it's humbling to be part of a club that wins, draws and loses together.
We will always aim to improve the players, both technically and as people. We don't want to sit still and we want to bring every component of being a footballer together for each player we work with. The key is to enjoy it. I come to training and everyone is smiling, everyone wants to improve and the environment is good. I'm proud to have created that in my short time as a manager.
In terms of my own ambitions, I don't look too far ahead. I hope I have inspired young coaches in Cameroon to keep going and pursue a career. I believe if I show respect, humility and my skills, I can progress as a coach, regardless of my colour.
I want to give 100% every day to Maidstone United and then one day the time will come where I know it will be right to move on. I am certainly ambitious and when that time comes, I want to have improved the club and myself as a manager.