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Last Updated: Tuesday, 1 November 2005, 16:12 GMT
Paterson relishing Gazza factor
By Pete Oliver

Paul Gascoigne
Kettering Town captain Jamie Paterson admits Gazzamania is yet to fully engulf the Poppies squad.

With former England international Paul Gascoigne now officially installed as boss of the Conference North side and with his first win under his belt, Paterson is looking forward to the ride.

"Saturday was really the first time we got to meet him. He was a little bit nervous, which was understandable, because he had a lot on his plate," Paterson told BBC Sport.

"It's a bit early to say how it will go for him but if his football is anything to go by he will be fantastic."

Gascoigne has taken on his first management position as part of a consortium which bought out the Rockingham Road club.

The 38-year-old insists this is the start of a serious managerial career, following unfulfilled comebacks at Boston and in China and Portugal, and Paterson is backing Gascoigne to succeed.

He said: "He has had a rough ride. Everybody knows the story but let's hope that the legendary status he had as a player can go on into management.

Kettering captain Jamie Paterson
If Paul thinks I can do a job for him I will be happy to do that
Kettering captain Jamie Paterson

"And I'm sure it can. He's a very strong person and he knows what he wants.

Gascoigne will work with former Arsenal midfielder Paul Davis as his assistant, although former manager Kevin Wilson has rejected a move "upstairs" to a director of football role and has now left the club.

Paterson said: "I am looking forward to working with those guys.

"They have both played at the very, very top level and anything they can teach us can only be good for us."

Conference North is a new level for both men and Paterson could have a key role to play in making their introduction a smooth one.

Paterson played in the Scottish and Football Leagues and helped both Halifax and Doncaster win the Conference.

The 32-year-old Scot was Gascoigne's on-field messenger during his debut win over Drolysden last Saturday and hopes their partnership can flourish.

"I would like to think so. I will be trying my best and if Paul thinks I can do a job for him I will be happy to do that," Paterson said.

It's an exciting time for Kettering Town
Jamie Paterson

New owner Imraan Ladak has ambitious plans to take Kettering into the Football League for the first time.

Paterson said: "The team has been steadily building for a couple of years and we're starting to put a run together and looking quite strong.

"We need to get a bit of consistency but there's no doubt we can step up to the next level and then the manager and his number two can take it from there.

New owner Imraan Ladak and Paul Gascoigne
New owner Imraan Ladak hopes to take Kettering into the League
"For the fans and everyone at the club I am hoping that we can get up the leagues. It's an exciting time for Kettering Town. It must be great to be a fan with everything that is going on."

Gascoigne has the chance to make an immediate impact in the FA Cup.

They start as underdogs against Stevenage Borough with Gascoigne looking to make another mark on the trophy he lit up with Spurs in 1991 before sustaining a career-threatening injury in the final.

"We've had tough games all the way so if Stevenage think they're going to get an easy game here they will be wrong," said Paterson.

"I think it will be a typical, English cup tie and it would be great if we could get through and maybe get a big club somewhere down the line."




SEE ALSO
Kettering 1-0 Droylsden
29 Oct 05 |  Non League
Paul Gascoigne's managerial debut
29 Oct 05 |  Photo Galleries
FA Cup first round draw
25 Oct 05 |  FA Cup


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