Bobby Wilkinson on his first year in charge at Weymouth

One of football’s most enthusiastic managers regularly took his family to the seaside resort on holidays and made no secret of his desire to one day manage its football club.

Exactly 365 days ago, that dream became a reality when he succeeded David Oldfield to become Terras boss.

His tenure has been full of highs and lows.

When he first came in, he was tasked with hauling the club out of a dreadful run of form, with the end goal of saving it from relegation.

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He took victory in his first game, an FA Cup second qualifying round tie at Winchester City, and then claimed his first league win courtesy of a 3-2 triumph at Slough.

At the same time, Weymouth were building a special FA Cup run and Wilkinson led the Terras to the first round, ending a 15-year wait to reach the main draw.

They famously took AFC Wimbledon to a replay at Plough Lane in a home tie they probably should have won in torrential rain, before bowing out 3-1 to the League Two outfit.

Bobby Wilkinson with Ahkeem Rose after the 1-1 draw with AFC Wimbledon (Image: MARK PROBIN)

Wilkinson then switched focus to the National League South survival mission but results were inconsistent.

Weymouth smashed Concord and Tonbridge 5-0 on their travels but suffered a dismal 5-2 loss to Hungerford at home.

Fast forward to the business end in April and Weymouth were written off by some. They needed seven points in their last three games.

Other results needed to go their way.

Somehow, they won all three matches and the perfect cocktail of results elsewhere allowed them to stay up on the final day via goal difference.

The ‘Great Escape’ had been achieved.

But what has Wilkinson himself made of it all?

“I’m a very proud manager to be a year in,” he told Echosport.

“To do the Great Escape and to build a good squad, yes there’s been highs and lows but there have been more highs for me.

“The targets we were set we achieved. It’s been a very challenging year at times but one I relished and took on. Everything that was asked from us, we hit.

“If you said to me 365 days on that we’ve got a competitive side, we’re still in the league, we’re going for the FA Cup first round again, I would’ve bitten your right arm off.

“When you really sit down and analyse the 365 days, what was going on, the training facilities, the squad, players that couldn’t train, we’ve turned it right around.

“It’s been very challenging but I’m very proud of where we’ve put the club.

“We’re in this league and we want to compete. Yes, we’re not in the same finances as everyone else, that’s a challenge in itself but one we don’t dwell on.

“We have to understand that when we bring a player in, we have to let a player go.

“There’s certain players out there that I want to sign but we can’t because we don’t have enough money. That’s football, but we’re in a stable place as a club.”

Bobby Wilkinson saved Weymouth from relegation and took the Terras to the FA Cup first round in his first year in charge (Image: MARK PROBIN)

Asked if the job had lived up to his expectations, Wilkinson said: “It’s been challenging but I’ve kept my class and dignity.

“I’ve always stuck by my players and I will continue to work extremely hard to the best of my ability.

“It’s been tiring at times but it’s something that never fazes me. I’ve spent a lot of time away from home but, guess what? I’ve loved every minute of it.

“We’re still moving up and striving to be better. It’s been a really good year.”

Wilkinson also spoke of his honour at accepting what was an extremely tough position, one that some managers may have dodged.

He added: “I knew what was coming and knew it was never going to be easy.

“That’s why I’m a very proud man, because not many people would’ve taken this challenge.

“When Paul Maitland came to get me, he knew I always wanted to manage this brilliant football club.

“Did I think it would be as hard as what it has been at times? No.

“But I came here to do a job and I did it. I came to help Weymouth and I did it.

“We went through a difficult period where we didn’t win games, the fans were still brilliant.

“I’ve helped put the club back on the map, so I’m really proud of that. I will continue to get grey hairs and lose more most probably!

“There’s nothing I can do, I just get on with it. My wife and my kids laugh at me but they know I love football and I’m as passionate as ever.”

There is no denying Wilkinson’s passion and he is contracted until summer 2026. But what of his vision and inspiration for the next year in charge?

“I’m as driven and determined as I’ve ever been,” he insisted.

“You can tell that. I’ve got a job here to do and I will continue to keep fighting.

“I’ll take it one game at a time. I’m never going to look too far ahead. Things can happen overnight, in weeks, two weeks, three.

“I’ll just give my all to the club, like I’ve done since the first day I’ve come in.”

It certainly has been a rollercoaster journey.

However, as with all rollercoasters they can be addictive and we’re definitely all strapped in for the ride Wilkinson will take Weymouth on for the next 365 days.