Fallon (right) credits Histon's success down to chairman Gareth Baldwin (left)

A week before the start of the new Conference season, Histon manager Steve Fallon is celebrating a decade as Stutes' boss.

Fallon joined Histon in 1999 when they were in the Eastern Counties Premier Division, four leagues below the Blue Square Premier League.

"It seems to have gone very quickly," Fallon told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

"But it's been very enjoyable and I'm now looking forward to another ten years here."

After a period of financial instability, Histon were already a club on the up by the time of Fallon's arrival from Cambridge City in 1999.

Under the stewardship of chairman Gareth Baldwin, progress was being made both on and off the field.

"I lived just across the road, Gareth was ambitious and I knew one or two of the players so I thought I would give it a go," said Fallon.

"I don't think anybody really believed we'd be sitting where we are now after ten years."

Fallon won promotion to the Southern League's Eastern Division in his first season in charge, but it took until 2004 for a second promotion to the Southern Premier.

Subsequent promotions in 2005 and 2007 saw the Stutes reach the Blue Square Premier for the first time.

Fallon is proud of what has been achieved during his time in charge, but says Baldwin deserves a large slice of the credit.

"The chairman has done all the work that has made it possible for us to go up each time," he said.

We've managed to keep the fans involved without losing the professional side and our ability to win football matches and that's the key Histon manager Steve Fallon

"Gareth's work is a benchmark for many clubs in the lower leagues wondering how they can progress."

Last season, Fallon's men finished third in the league and reached the third round of the FA Cup for the first time - putting out Leeds United in the process.

Such was their success that four of the club's star players have moved on over the summer.

Fallon faces a new sort of challenge next season, but says Histon is a club with a unique atmosphere.

"I live in the village, know a lot of people and can identify with people," he said.

"If someone wants to come up to me and have a moan and groan they can do that; people can have their say, it's just like being out with your mates.

"We've managed to keep the fans involved without losing the professional side and our ability to win football matches and that's the key."

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