Non-League and Academy football writer

David Forbes is the first team manager of Frenford FC, a club that he has been associated with since 1991. Currently in his 18th season with Frenford, as first team manager, David has achieved so much during his time with the club, and he is a real club legend. I recently had the pleasure of speaking to David about some of his memories of being involved with the club, whose first team currently play in the Essex Senior League.

Could you talk me through a bit about your background in football, prior to joining Frenford?

David: My dad used to play for Frenford, and so he introduced me to the club, which is where I spent the majority of my playing career. From there I enjoyed the atmosphere of the club so much, making so many friends along the way, that I didn’t really push myself to move any higher, because I just enjoyed being at the club. I played for the club up until I was 30, which was when I had to retire because of injury, and it was then that I was asked to manage the reserve side.

You’ve been on a great journey with Frenford, so far. Could you talk me through some of your standout memories of that journey with the club, to step 5 of the non-League system?

David: Football has been my life, to be honest. After taking to management I didn’t really miss the playing side of the game, but at the time when I took the first team job at Frenford, the club was at a point where they were desperately trying to win the Essex Olympian League. They had failed to do so on several occasions, coming as runners up three or four times, just being unable to get over the line. So there was a bit of a challenge there, but I did manage to win that league with the club for the first time, which was a really good feeling. Because the whole club had tried to win the league for so long, it really meant a lot. Following on from winning promotion to the Thurlow Nunn League, that was a really big boost for the club.

After first taking over the first team at Frenford, I used to always say to people at the club, as an ambitious manager, that one day I’ll get us playing in the FA Cup, and everyone did laugh at me when I used to say that. But, after we’d won promotion from the Thurlow Nunn League, and into the Essex Senior League, we played in the FA Cup for the very first time, playing against East Thurrock, away. So that was probably the main highlight for me, because it was something that was said by me almost 16 years previously, when we were playing park football, to then suddenly be playing in one of the biggest competitions in the world, that was one of the main highlights for me as to what we’ve achieved as a club over the years.

Going back to the club’s time in the Essex Olympian League, what are some of your memories of managing the club in that league?

David: We had some great times in that league, winning the league twice, and also winning the league cup twice. We actually also won the Essex Saturday Premier (county cup) Cup twice, as well, and we also won the Anagram Records Trophy during our time in the Olympian League. And the Olympian League was very strong, and we had some great battles with the likes of Kelvedon Hatch and Harold Wood. At the time we had a group of players who pretty much stayed together for a good four or five years, and despite having offers to go higher, they were just happy to play for Frenford. We used to play down at the Jack Carter Pavilion, behind Redbridge Sports Centre, and the buzz around the club at that time was very good, and the club really was prospering. And so those days in the Olympian League were some of the very best days that I’ve experienced at the club, we were just fortunate enough to gain so much success during that time.

Could you talk me through a bit about the season so far (2024/25) with Frenford?

David: Obviously we came into the Essex Senior League last season (2023/24), and we did find the league quite tough. So we knew that this year would be even tougher in terms of competing with teams with such big budgets, to try and attract players to sign for the club. So as a club trying to establish ourselves at this level, it has been challenging so far. But, last season we finished in 18th place in the league, and this year we are currently sitting in 12th place, and I’d like to think that we can pick up some more points, and maintain that sort of mid-table area, before looking to build for next season. Big parts of this season have been a learning curve, and our form hasn’t been that bad at all, but there’s fine lines, and so our results don’t quite reflect our actual form this season, to be honest. But, we’ve had a couple of results in the last couple of weeks, which shows to me that we’re starting to turn the corner a little bit. We’ve got eight games left, and it’s all about enjoying the rest of this season now.

The work for next season is already starting, and we want to get in to the top half area of the table, and just see how things go.

Were there been any people that you have looked up to, or who made you want to go into football management?

David: There were a couple of managers who I used to play for, who used to say that I should get into management. But, predominantly it was my dad who pushed me more to going on and giving management a go. And I never missed playing football, because I enjoyed management so much, and I had the enthusiasm as well. I learnt so much from so many different managers that I played for over the years, before managing myself.

Who has been the most difficult team that you have faced (for their quality) during this season?

David: Stanway Rovers Community are the only team who have really given us a lesson. When you look at the top five in the Essex Senior, they are probably the best team that we have played. They are efficient, experienced and they really make it difficult for the other teams in the league. So for me, they have been the standout team for me this season.

Also, who has been the most difficult team that you have faced (for their quality) throughout your years as Frenford’s first team manager?

David: Over the years, the biggest battles that we’ve had have been with Kelvedon Hatch. They were very strong at the time in the 2000s, and this was a time when there was no step 6, but we had some great battles with them. There was one day where it snowed, and pretty much every game in Essex was off on that day. But, Kelvedon Hatch got all of the players to try and sweep the snow off the pitch, as it was snowing. And the game was played in the end, and we won 1-0, and that was the year that we won the Essex Olympian League. But, they were honestly the best battles that we’ve had as a club over the years, during my time here.

What are some of your hopes for Frenford FC in the future?

David: For us, we want to be an established step 5 club. But, for me I want to eventually push to the next level/step. As a club we are looking to build a bit of stability on and off the field. So, for the next two or three years I want us to establish ourselves in the Essex Senior, and stay as a recognised step 5 club. Off the pitch we are looking to improve the facilities at the ground, such as building a little bar and changing facilities which lead onto the pitch. And my thing is to keep things ticking over on the pitch, but we’re always looking to keep pushing forward and seeing how far we can go. 18 years ago we were playing our football in parks, and we could never have dreamt of doing what we’re doing now. But, we’re here now, and we want to establish ourselves and keep pushing on.