By Pete Oliver

Defender Jamie Stuart is part of Gray's new backroom staff

While some football club chairmen have doubtless been tempted and others may have discreetly tried it, Grays Athletic supremo Mick Woodward has come clean and officially made himself manager of his own club.

When Woodward sacked Frank Gray in October, after just five months in charge of the Conference team, he decided he was the best man for the job.

The caretaker tag lasted just a matter of days before Woodward confirmed himself in the post until the end of the season.

He told BBC Sport: "Frank did not do a bad job but there were a couple of little things that concerned me and rather than wait until the end of the season, I decided to do it now."

Gray's brief reign had started well as the former Scotland international tried to emulate the considerable success of predecessor Mark Stimson.

If I don't get respect I'll show them the door Mick Woodward

But a run of just one win in six Conference games ahead of an FA Cup exit to Bromley persuaded Woodward that he was better equipped to maintain his club's impressive recent progress.

"I wouldn't have done it if I didn't know football and was just a layman," he said.

"But I have been very involved at the training ground and always have been. I have never really missed a training session.

"When Mark was here he did a great job and between the pair of us we brought the players in. Without being big-headed, I was very much part of that."

Despite his hands-on approach as club chairman and major benefactor, Woodward readily confesses: "I am not a coach."

But with a new backroom staff including senior player Jamie Stuart, goalkeeping coach Colin Barnes, physio Mark Stein and chief scout Simon Pullen he believes he has enough expertise at his disposal.

"I have learned how to manage people so I look after the man-management and allow other people to do the coaching," added Woodward.

"I have got some really good people around me- I take advice but I pick the team."

The 51-year-old has no previous experience in professional football, although he grew up in a footballing family in which two of his uncles were with League clubs.

I have never really missed a training session Mick Woodward

Woodward was also previously owner-chairman of Essex side Barkingside FC and six years ago took control at Grays, then in the Ryman League.

With a full-time squad and Stimson at the helm Grays were promoted as champions of Conference South in 2005 and also won the FA Trophy - a triumph they repeated last season.

And with Woodward a constant presence in that success, he believes he has earned the backing of the dressing-room.

He said: "I am the one who led from the front to get us where we are. If I get respect, I get it. If I don't get respect, I'll show them the door.

"The players have all said there is a better atmosphere. They might be being two-faced but the proof of the pudding will be in the results."

Woodward's first game in charge was a 1-1 draw with Cambridge United and his second, this Saturday, takes him to Stevenage to face Stimson head-on.

And Woodward believes a second successive crack at the play-offs is a viable target.

He added: "In the first couple of years at a club you look at it and nurture it and then you make a decision on where you want to go.

"It's now about making that next step. You don't have a divine right to get into the Football League.

"Oxford have got off to such a decent start that they would have to have a massive dip in form. But if you look at our position we are still there on the fringe."

Plans are afoot for a new ground and Grays have already had an impact at League level in producing a clutch of players who are now plying their trade there.

Southend's League Cup hero Freddy Eastwood is set to be followed into the Championship by midfielder Michael Kightly at Wolves, while the Shrimpers also have Gary Hooper and Mitchell Cole on their staff.

I take advice but I pick the team Mick Woodward

Peterborough have also just signed striker Aaron McLean from Grays but Woodward believes he will unearth more potential stars to justify his transition from boardroom to dug-out.

"I wish all the boys luck. I say to anyone, where would you rather live, Park Road or Park Lane?" he added.

"When Freddy went everybody said it would be the end of Grays but look what we have done since.