Frank Bunn has again explained some of the changes at the club since he and assistant Andy Rhodes took over the helm at Boundary Park.
Bunn said, “It’s been an eye-opener, but it’s been terrific. We’re bubbly in the dressing room, we’re bright, we’re positive, and that’s something this club needs at the moment. We’re trying not to look back of course, we want to try and move it forward as quickly as possible, but myself and Andy will try and take some of our good experiences and use them as positively as we can. Our eyes are certainly on the future. The squad is okay – we might need one or two – but there’s a good mixture of youth and experience. It’s going to be a long, long season, so everyone will be utilised. We did have a great spirit in the camp back in the day, and we are trying to instil that into the current squad, and certainly in these opening games the lads have kept going right until the final whistle. We wouldn’t want that any other way, and we can see that spirit growing and the togetherness is coming along nicely.”
“People still ask me about the six goals against Scarborough, and obviously there was the Wembley appearance. That was a great day personally, despite the result. I also remember scoring the winner at Villa Park one time. Being a Birmingham lad and fan, that memory will never leave me. They’re all great memories. Socially too, there were great times back then. Everyone from the laundry ladies through to the chief executive at the time – everyone seemed to get on. The spirit around the place was remarkable. I do think times have changed for the better, though. Players look after themselves so much better thesedays, and rightly so. The introduction of fitness coaches, dieticians and psychologists – football is a sport that has improved massively off the field in those terms.”
“Obviously I’ve been working at other clubs, but I always popped in quite regularly to watch games. However, to actually come into the building and be appointed manager of this club was a really proud achievement for me. It’s a club I hold close to my heart, so to manage and lead the team out against the MK Dons on the opening day was an unbelievable experience.”