Just 30 minutes on the phone was enough to convince me of that. Speaking at a speed that tested my shorthand skills to their absolute limits, he poured out his vision for the Nash. He exudes self-belief but not in an unpleasant or arrogant way.
If Cunningham fails it won’t be for lack of effort. But, confident in his abilities and eager for the challenge that awaits, he thinks he’s more likely to be sacked for driving club chairman Wayne Salkeld mad than for losing matches.
“People are asking how I can succeed with no experience at this level having last managed at Colne who are two steps lower in the pyramid,” said Cunningham.
“Well the fact is I’ve put in the miles and I’ve earned my shout. My shoulders are broad and they can bear the burden of keeping Curzon Ashton in National League North, even next season when there’ll be four relegation places.
“What got me the job ahead of all those other fantastic CVs that Curzon considered was my enthusiasm, passion and drive.”
However, Cunningham is also happy to admit he’s under no illusions about the enormity of the task he faces. Curzon are National League minnows in every sense, with a small wage bill made even smaller as a result of the covid-19 lockdown which has closed off the club’s main revenue streams such as the 3G pitch and function room.
Yet, citing Sheffield United as an example, he believes that hard work can go a significant way in making up for the shortfall in funds. The task he has been set is to prevent the Nash being relegated. But his personal target is to get them to at least 12th place in the table and a highest-ever finish.
He continued: “Clearly, money dictates the type of player you can attract and I can’t deny that we’ll have the smallest budget by a country mile. But maybe I can use something other than money.
“I’m a different sort of animal. I’ll happily drive three hours just to see if a 17-year-old I’ve heard of has what it takes. I’m a confident, articulate and passionate man so I should have no trouble selling Curzon Ashton.
“Also, I believe the coronavirus has changed the landscape in football. Everyone’s been affected and I think players will have to accept that the same deals aren’t there, at least in the short term. That’s where I can come in, by explaining everything we have to offer at the Tameside Stadium.
“I can assure the supporters that my black book is huge. I know a massive number of people at all levels of the game, but I’ll also be looking for new talent.
“Added to that, I’m looking forward to being involved in all parts of the club. I want to increase attendances by getting to know the town and the junior section where out of around 300 kids we have only 25 to 30 coming through the gate on a Saturday afternoon.
“But I also accept that the biggest driver of attendances is what happens on the pitch and I want to play good, attacking football.”
Becoming Curzon manager has fulfilled a personal mission for Cunningham. Noting his ambition to progress up the footballing ladder, a friend advised him to pick the five jobs he would most like and to make his interest known while not ruffling any feathers.
The five he chose were Warrington, his home-town club; FC United; Hyde United; Bury and Curzon. He turned down at least four offers in the meantime but was still surprised when the Nash got in touch.
Cunningham summed up: “The directors have been very supportive and I take a lot of pride in getting the job as I’m Wayne Salkeld’s first managerial appointment as chairman. He’s got my back and I’ve got his.
“National League North teams don’t often become available so once I got the call I was always going to take the opportunity. I have confidence in my own abilities so I had to be brave and take the step.
“My plan is to give the chairman a headache by staying at the club for a long time. Then again he might get one from my 100 miles an hour way of doing things.”