Andy Peaks Gives His First Lambs Interview

Thu 17 Feb 2022 - 08:30AM

Lambs Media caught up with new Manager Andy Peaks on Wednesday evening. Understandably his phone has been inundated with calls over the past 24 hours with good wishes. “I am very excited about the opportunity and can't wait to get started and meet the players on Thursday evening.”

The question that has been on everybody's minds has been why leave a club in the play off zone to join a club in a relegation fight? “Yes, I have had that question a lot! - I have been at Rushden for a long period and the club has achieved a lot of success, but when an opportunity at a club like Tamworth comes along you have to look at it. “I have been in non league for 30 years and Tamworth has always been known as a big club with great support. “It is not in the place it should be and the club had to act to sort things out. “I am leaving Rushden in a good place where we have taken them from step 5 to a good position in step 3. “I have had some great times at the club, with lots of highs and not many lows. “However, I looked at the bigger picture and I thought it was difficult to do better than what we have been doing. “Perhaps I have taken the club as far as I can with the resources that they have.”

Andy’s first task is to ensure Tamworth achieves its place in the league for next season. “We need to get enough points on the board to achieve safety, and then we move forward from there. “We have a big squad with good players, but I need to get to know them. “I work hard, and watch lots of games. “It helps having been with Rushden for 4 seasons in this league as I know what the other clubs are about. “It's up to me to ensure that performances and results improve - and that starts with the visit to Leiston on Saturday. “It is a difficult place to go but our priority is to get 3 points on the board.”

So what will the mark of an Andy Peaks Tamworth side be? “It is important that supporters see a team that works hard for each other and the club. “They need to see us play with good shape, are well organised, provide good set pieces and play good football. “However, at the moment the team needs confidence, momentum and belief as results and performances have not been good, so it is up to me to change things for the better and bring the results the fans want to see.”

Joining Andy at the Lambs in his Assistant Manager Neil Champelovier. He joined AFC Rushden and Diamonds as first team head coach in August 2019 to work alongside Andy. His playing career included Northampton Town, Brackley Town, Banbury United, Oxford City, Aylesbury United, Daventry Town and Woodford United. He has had assistant manager roles at Cogenhoe United and two spells at Daventry Town. Andy will also be joined by Coach Tom Chapman who was with him at Rushden.