Daggers boss says gong was ‘a complete shock’

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE manager John Still said being named BBC London’s ‘Sports Personality Of The Year’ is one of his proudest moments in the game.

The 60-year-old picked up the award at a ceremony in central London on Sunday evening, beating off competition from Harry Redknapp, Carlo Ancelotti and Commonwealth Games ace Mo Farah.

Before setting off for the event, Still insists he did not even know what award he was nominated for – and certainly didn’t expect to win – but says the honour is a credit to everyone involved at Victoria Road.

“Harry’s (Redknapp) my mate and I spoke to him the other day as well and he never said a word, so I just went up there thinking I was nominated and I wasn’t going to get anything,” he said.

“They didn’t say what award it was and when I got there they were reading out the awards. They had already said “Manager of the year - Harry Redknapp” so I thought I’d come second or third.

“Then they said they had the main award, the Sports Personality of the Year, and I never gave it a thought, so I was shocked and delighted.”

He added: “I knew Harry wasn’t there because I’d already spoke to him a bit earlier and they were playing Chelsea, so Ancelotti wasn’t going to be there either, so I thought perhaps they just want someone there to make the numbers up.

“If I’m honest, it’s just part of everything we’ve done at Dagenham. When you think Chelsea did the double last year, so to get this award must show what an achievement it is for this club and the people within it.

“I’m the manager, I understand that, but there’s Terry (Harris) and Wayne (Burnett) and everyone behind the scenes. It’s an award for all of them.

“I’m not saying it tops Wembley, but as an award - for this club to get a mention - I think it’s fantastic. I really couldn’t believe it.

“In football, touch wood, I’ve been lucky and won some things, but it’s certainly special.”

Long-term friend and now vice-chairman of the League Manager’s Asscociation, Frank Clark, says Still is a shing example for any young boss trying to make their way in the game.

“It’s difficult sometimes to get up through the leagues and he had to do it the hard way,” he said.

“He’s a great example for anybody to try and emulate, especially with the financial restrictions he’s had”.