"Boreham Wood, founded in 1948, have never been a member of the elite 92 although they have come close twice, losing 2-1 to the 10 men of Tranmere in the 2018 final and then conceding a 120th-minute winner to Notts County in a 3-2 loss five years later."
"Defeat in that second promotion final to Notts County was followed by relegation and Garrard's exit. He says the time away from the club was painful. "Two years ago relegating Boreham Wood really hurt me. This is my club. I left and there were some dark times in the six months not having a job," he told the BBC's football podcast 72+."
""It was a reset for me, I went away and worked at my my craft, spoke to a lot of good managers and when I returned my language changed, there was a different mindset. "I was very negative in the build-up to the relegation season but when I returned 16 months ago the mindset was all about getting back to the National League.""
"His return in September 2024 brought immediate results with promotion earned by beating Maidstone 1-0 in the National League South promotion final and he has always believed a second successive one was possible this year. "I said it from the start of the season," he added."
Boreham Wood, founded in 1948, reach the National League promotion final at Wembley after two previous near misses, including a 2018 defeat to Tranmere and a 2023 loss to Notts County. Rochdale return to the final after their EFL stay ended in 2023 and after three seasons in non-league football. Luke Garrard, who previously managed Boreham Wood during their two promotion-final defeats, left after relegation and later returned in September 2024. His return followed a period of unemployment and reflection, during which he worked on his coaching craft and adjusted his mindset. Promotion was secured immediately in the National League South via a 1-0 win over Maidstone, and he believes another successive promotion was achievable.
Read at www.bbc.com
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