Dabbers aim high
12:15pm Monday 12th May 2008
STEVE Davis is already plotting the next chapter in Nantwich Town's golden era.
The Dabbers boss will be aiming higher than just consolidation when their UniBond Premier adventure begins in August.
Lee Jones was the hero as they made it successive promotions in front of a record 1,354 at the Weaver Stadium.
The keeper saved twice in a tense shoot-out to see off Sheffield FC in the Division One Play-Off final, last Saturday.
"People are expecting us to go up again and that's brilliant," he said.
"Setting high targets shows how far we've come. It's no use aiming just to stay up because that becomes your focus.
"We want to do better."
The club's transformation into one now ready to compete against the likes of Witton Albion and Buxton inside three years is staggering When Davis arrived, the club were languishing in North West Counties Division One averaging gates under three figures.
It's all changed.
"After my initial season when we finished 16th, I sat down with Clive (Jackson) who said he wanted to support us and how much he wanted to push on," added Davis.
"The squad gelled when we won the Vase and from that point we've not looked back.
"We've not gone silly and brought in a player from four leagues higher on big money.
"But we have tried to improve the team as we've gone along.
With a decent CV, Davis could be hot property but it would take a good offer to prise him away.
The former Alex, Burnley and Barnsley defender was lined up as assistant had Dean Glover beaten Lee Sinnott to the Port Vale post last year "I've not hidden anything from Clive," added Davis.
"He knows I'd like to coach in the League but the timing would have to be right.
"I wouldn't just walk away.
"I've not got a contract with Nantwich and I haven't needed one, me and Clive have worked well together as friends and doing the job.
"It would have to be the right club at the right time.
"I've been learning loads.
"I've made mistakes but they've not been too costly and I'm making less as results show.
I've learned a lot from good people, Dario included, and I'm still early into it."
With Nantwich on the up and Crewe struggling, there's bound to be comparisons drawn.
Davis insists there's no great plan to scupper the Alex.
"We're doing what we're doing and they're doing what they're doing," he added.
"I used to play for them, my boy's there and I'm glad they stayed up.
"Clive's a season-ticket holder and has been involved with them for a long time so we want them to do well.
"We've not gone out purposely to go out and get a fraction of their support.
"At the end of the day it's up to people themselves."