From Championship to Non-League: Steve Morison reveals shocking five-league plummet with Hornchurch

"I am unable to be a Sergeant Major in training, but I am delighted that the players have arrived!" This is the current situation that Steve Morison, who is aiming to revive his managerial career, is facing as he joins Hornchurch in the seventh tier after a significant drop of five leagues.

Morison was dismissed from his position at Championship side Cardiff City a year ago, and now he has come back to where he started in non-League football. This is where he first gained recognition as a striker with Bishop's Stortford and Stevenage before later becoming Millwall's third-highest scorer of all time and representing Wales at the international level.

Hornchurch trains for two hours on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, starting at 8pm. Morison, who works with players that have day jobs as their main source of income, takes a more relaxed approach to football.

"I understand the struggle firsthand. I used to work on a shredding lorry, driving around London," he revealed. "I would start at 4am and finish at 1pm. This schedule worked out nicely as I could rest and get some sleep before training."

"But there were days when I felt unmotivated, and I would excuse myself from training by informing the manager that I was unable to attend due to being stuck in London. However, deep down, I knew that I would still be playing on Saturday regardless.

Therefore, my focus is to ensure that training sessions are both enjoyable and fun for my teammates. I create an environment where they can freely make mistakes without facing harsh criticism, all while maintaining the proper work ethic. This approach ultimately encourages their desire to attend training sessions. And, of course, achieving success also plays a pivotal role in this motivation."

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Steve Morison, during his non-League playing days, celebrated the FA Trophy victory at Wembley with Stevenage. In June, he assumed the position at Hornchurch, although there was a brief opportunity for him to make a surprising comeback to the Cardiff dugout, which occurred eight months after his dismissal from the club.

The 40-year-old successfully saved the struggling club in his inaugural senior role during the 2021/22 season. Despite having to rebuild the squad on a limited budget, he was dismissed after just 10 games into the following season, preventing him from witnessing the growth of his new team.

Admitting that his departure from Cardiff adversely affected his self-assurance, he faced additional setbacks when he failed to secure positions with Swindon and MK Dons. However, he received an unexpected phone call from his previous employer.

"It was completely unexpected. While I was taking a bath, my phone suddenly rang, and I was taken aback, wondering what it could be," Morison recounted. "I received an invitation to travel to London for a discussion regarding the possibility of returning to my previous job.

"I attended the meeting and had the opportunity to meet the owner, Vincent Tan, for the first time. It was quite surreal, and upon leaving the meeting, I couldn't help but entertain the thought that there was a real chance of reclaiming my position. Although I wasn't fully convinced it would actually happen, I attended the meeting because it would have been foolish to pass up the opportunity."

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After that, the news had spread like wildfire. I was left exposed, waiting for the response. Unfortunately, the reaction wasn't in my favor, and ultimately, they chose an alternative path."

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Steve Morison avoided relegation from the Championship with Cardiff in 2021/22

During a charity match this summer, Alex Sharp, the chairman of Hornchurch and a fellow Millwall supporter, had a conversation with Morison. This unexpected encounter led Morison to make a surprising transition from the Championship to the Isthmian League Premier Division. Reflecting on his decision, Morison stated, "Setting aside my ego, I simply desired to continue working instead of waiting for another opportunity to arise. The prospects at Hornchurch are quite promising, with wonderful individuals involved and a genuine sense of belonging."

Morison was aware of what to expect, having tasted the challenges of the lower league during his early playing days. However, he acknowledges that the non-League game has evolved considerably since his time in 2004.

"It has become much more professional," Morison asserts, having also represented England C, the international side for non-League football. "Players are more inquisitive now, and everything is recorded on film, which was a rarity two decades ago. Additionally, the presence of numerous 3G pitches in the league encourages a more expansive style of play and offers enhanced training facilities."

"One of the challenges I faced while playing in the non-League was the uncertainty surrounding our training location. We would often end up at a school, on a sand-based astroturf pitch. This was a recurring situation, where the only certainty was knowing our designated home ground."

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Steve Morison scored at Wembley in the League One play-off final to win promotion for Millwall in 2017

Should Morison fail at Hornchurch, is the possibility of failure at a non-League club at this stage of his managerial career worse than failing at an EFL club?

"Undoubtedly, it is a risky move. If we do not perform well, it will reflect poorly on me," he admitted. "In hindsight, I sometimes question if I made the right decision to take the Cardiff job or if I should have left after successfully keeping them in the league. Maybe my reputation was stronger then. But as a manager, you have to believe in yourself, just like you did as a player."

Morison's objective is evident. Hornchurch, who won the FA Trophy in 2021, had faced defeat in the past two play-off finals, securing a second-place finish in the previous season.

Having remained undefeated in their last five games and clinching three victories, Hornchurch has successfully qualified for the first round of the FA Cup.

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After scoring against Montenegro for Wales in 2011, Steve Morison expressed his determination for promotion, highlighting that they fell short by only four points in the previous season. He emphasized the need to bridge this gap and spoke optimistically about their strong and versatile squad. While acknowledging their solid start, he refrained from labeling it as amazing.

I am willing to offer my assistance. I am physically capable of participating in football-related activities such as playing, training, and moving. If there is anyone who requires specific advice, I am able to provide it. This applies to football at all levels.

Don't miss the live broadcast of the Cardiff City vs Swansea City match on We Football. The game will take place on Saturday, September 16, with kick-off at 7.45 pm.