ROB Small is set to take charge of Bowers & Pitsea for the 300th time this weekend.

Bowers will welcome Cray Wanderers to the Len Salmon Stadium for an Isthmian Premier League clash tomorrow.

And Small, who has led Bowers from the Essex Senior League to the third tier of non-league football during his tenure, is bursting with pride as he reached the milestone of 300 matches at the helm.

“I didn’t know that this weekend would be my 300th game in charge until someone told me yesterday,” admitted Small.

“I’m feeling quite proud to have got to this stage.

“I remember when I was given the job that people were saying I wouldn’t last and I would fail.

“Outsiders were saying we wouldn’t finish anywhere other than in the bottom half of the Essex Senior League, so it’s nice to have proved them wrong and achieved so much.

“But I don’t want to look back, I want to look to the future because I’m still looking at where I can improve this club.

“Getting to 300 games in charge is a nice achievement, but I’m only thinking about the future.”

Despite leading Bowers to the Essex Senior League and Isthmian North titles during his reign, Small concedes he still has people who question his capabilities.

“We still have people that doubt us and what we do,” said Small.

“That’s probably the same for everyone at every level of football because people don’t want you to see you do too well.

“You need people questioning you because it helps you to stay humble, motivated and driven.

“Having that hunger to grind week in, week out is important and I’m as hungry as I was when I first walked through the door.

“It’s a case of going one step at a time.”

Bowers are currently 17th in the standings, while Cray are just a point outside of the Isthmian Premier League play-off places.

“Although it will be a special day for me, that makes no difference to Cray,” added Small.

“They won’t care about that too much and they are probably one of the best teams we have played this season.”