'To be honest, i hadn't heard of Sam before Monday' said Athlone Town chairman Ken Bryan. 'But we didn't have any ideas and Sam applied so I thought, why not!'

Dont ask. I dont know. One minute im sitting around, waiting for a niggling injury to go away so i can start playing again, the next I hear about an open challenge for a manager from a friend who frankly spends far too much time on the internet, and all of a sudden im managing a semi-pro team from a small town in Ireland. I've never even been to Ireland!



Athlone Town F.C Website

'New manager Sam Draisey, an Aston Villa fan, had reportedly offered a contract to Villa legend Peter Withe, linking him with the vacant Assistant managers role. This has been confirmed, but Peter has decided to take up a role at Preston instead.'

'Draisey is said to be looking to bring in a high profile assistant to 'show him the ropes' as he looks to improve the fortunes of our club'

'The position has now been linked with former Newcastle United and West Ham manager Glenn Roeder.'

You heard it first on Sky Sports News. Former Newcastle United and West Ham manager Glenn Roeder has joined Athlone Town as assistant to rookie manager Sam Draisey.



Promotion was a possibility, but now without a win in seven, Athlone Town may have to settle for the mid table place that would be a step in the right direction for them. Now with four games left, Draisey's side will be hoping for some points to end this season on a high, and try to begin really rebuilding during the winter period.

well, i dont really know what to think. This team needs a lot of change, and there are players here that shouldnt be. I need to be strong in the coming months and do whats best to take the club forward. I want to invest in youth and ability and maybe start taking more of an active role in the youth teams. I hace assigned Glenn to the under 18's and U21's as he is an experienced coach at that level and beyond. We shall see. Il find out next year if this is really where i want to be!

After a 1-1 draw with Dundalk, Sam Draisey's Athlone Town finished their first season in charge in 5th place in the eircom first division.



After a flourish of free transfer signings, Draisey's young side have over achieved compared to their media predictions. Sam has put most of the credit down to his young strike partners, Paul McTiernan who scored 20 goals this year and won young player of the year, and Noel McGee, who scored 14 and came runner up to Paul in the young player of the year running. Draisey has stated that his team still needs 'major alterations' as he looks to make his mark on the side after inheriting his current squad from the previous manager.

So, the first year is over. It went ok i think. There are a lot of 'senior' players here that wont find a place in my team next year. I want to try and bring in some younger players to start in the first team, and start to make proper use of the under 21 side. Im not intending to be here forever, but im not one of these managers that is only looking to the next job. I want to deserve a job at a higher level by acheiving at Athlone. Bring on the winter break!

'Sam Draisey has today resigned from Athlone Town Football Club. After constant connections in the media with other clubs, Draisey has decided to step down with immediate effect. Athlone Town wished him all the best in his future endevours.'



Sky Sports today reported that rookie manager Sam Draisey has been appointed as manager of scottish side East Fife with immediate effect. Draisey will look to further his managerial experience and the fans at East Fife will be hoping he can improve the clubs fortunes while he is there.

Its been crazy. If im honest, I wanted out at Athlone, so when East Fife came along, i couldnt refuse. I like it more here already. Its about three quarters of the way through the season, so im hoping to get the time during the summer to build a squad that i think can move on in this league. Im looking for youth and technical ability, in view to secure a bright future for this club.

After a wonderful first season, Sam Draisey has lead East Fife to the Scottish third division title in his first full season in charge. Draisey's side managed to go the whole season losing just one game in the league. This performance has come to squash reports at the start of the season that East Fife were just a mid table side, coupled with some pundits who were seemingly sceptical about Draisey's fifteen new signings, but it seems that he has managed to get them to gel quick enough to soar into the scottish league division two. only time will tell if Draisey's young side can cut it at this higher standard.

Twenty six straight games unbeaten. 12 wins, 14 draws and one defeat. 58 goals for and 24 against. It couldnt really have gone any better. Only time will tell for next season, but its looking good. Il keep using the scouts and looking for young talent in the lower leagues. This should be fun.

In a shock appointment, The FA have chosen Sam Draisey as the new manager of the England national team. The East Fife manager is relatively unproven, and was not even on the list of many main booking agents, who will be about the only people pleased with the appointment. Draisey will split his time between club and country, and it remains to be seen if he can make the grade.

....Program dedicated to Draisey on Sky Sports News....

Sam Draisey started his career at Athlone Town, and after taking them to a strong mid-table finish, was appointed manager of East Fife with six games remaining in the season. After ensuring their survival, he went about signing a practically new team. Fifteen players later Draisey took East Fife to the league title in his first full season, losing only one league game and two cup matches. He has also started the new season well, with the team comfortably winning their first three games and sitting pretty at the top of the table.

'well you have to say, with Draisey pretty much finding a championship winning side while only spending a grand total of £1000, many chairmen in the country may be looking at how he performs in the england managers role, with a view to employing him at a higher level later on'

Im amazed. My agent just said that this was the way it worked. i should apply for the national job now so that im 'on the radar', so that in ten years maybe i would have a shot, but when i was asked for the interview, i went along and it went amazingly well, and now here I am, manager of East Fife and England.

I have to admit, i considered quitting East Fife, but there is still work I want to do here and im not ready to quit and let someone else lead this team and get all my glory! anyway, im off to training, then trying to avoid the English press while i move to have a meeting with the FA. Bye.