Euro mission is one for the fans, says Gav

By Matt Badcock

ENFIELD TOWN manager Gavin Macpherson says their European adventure in the Fenix Trophy epitomises what the fan-owned club is all about.

The Isthmian Premier side make their debut in the unique competition against BK Skjold on Tuesday evening with a bumper crowd expected at their Queen Elizabeth II Stadium.

League rivals Lewes and FC United, who won the inaugural competition, have already opened their group games with wins as they look to make the final stages that will be played in Italy next summer.

And Towners boss MacPherson says excitement is building ahead of their meeting with the Danish club, where Tottenham star PierreEmile Hojbjerg began his career.

“When you look into the concept of why it has been set-up, you realise how important it is for a club like Enfield to be invited into that,” Macpherson told The NLP. “It’s because of the passion of the fans, really, how they set-up the club themselves, how it’s gone from strength to strength over the years. Now to be playing in a European competition, I think, represents another step forward for the football club.

“It will generate interest from parties within football and parties not necessarily in football and give Enfield a bit more of a footprint on the map, where they’ve come from and the history of the club.

“Generally you have to be at an elite level to be involved in a competition that involves European clubs. We’ve got a chance to do that.

“The whole experience of doing it is going to be a big plus for the football club. I know our supporters and they will take a keen interest – certainly when we go over to Denmark. There is quite a buzz around the club for it.

“As a manager you look at the FA Cup and FA Trophy as important for what they can bring to the football club. This is on a different level – this is exposure and experience.”

While it may be seen as a unique opportunity, Macpherson says they are intent on making their mark.

EURO STARS: Gavin MacPherson says Enfield Town have been buoyed by their Fenix Trophy adventure

“We’ll do our homework,” Macpherson said. “It’s a little more challenging because it’s easier to watch teams or get footage of teams 20 miles down the road from you as opposed to 1,000 miles.

“But we have started to do our homework because, to all intents and purposes, it’s no different from any other cup competition we’ve been in this season, we want to do well in it. So that means there has to be a degree of planning and preparation.”

Former Met Police boss Macpherson took Enfield’s managerial reins in the summer and despite piecing together a brand new squad, is already seeing the makings of a side that could have its say in the Step 3 promotion race.

“I am sitting here nearly in December and we’ve lost three league games,” Macpherson said. “One was Hornchurch, a very poor performance at Lewes and a game we probably didn’t deserve to lose at Carshalton. I would have taken this, 100 per cent.

“I’ve been given a complete rebuild. Not just of the first team but to also have some input structurally to be able to join the club together beneath the first team. Bringing in the academy, the junior sections and our ladies section. That’s a bit more of a slow burn but, from a first team perspective, to be where we are and what we’re doing is beyond my expectations.”