ASSISTANT manager Jesse Smith has praised the hard work and dedication of Steve Baker after the Chipstead boss was named Ryman League Division One South manager of the month for August.
Chipstead emerged as early season title contenders winning all five of their Ryman League matches in August, beating Guernsey, Ramsgate, Hastings United, East Grinstead Town and Faversham Town.
And as well as the Manager of the Month award, Baker will be fitted for a bespoke suit by Redhill-based Nicholas Rowe Tailoring, who have a sponsorship agreement with the Ryman League this season.
And the praise and prizes are no less than the manager deserves according to Smith.
"Steve has worked his socks off to try to get a decent side here and we are a decent side now," he said.
"He deserves all the praise he gets because he has changed the club around. Chipstead won five out of five in August so you can't really do much better than that.
"In all honesty, he works so hard he deserves everything he gets in my opinion. He's obviously a friend of mine but he's brilliant and he never rests."
Baker missed Chipstead's Tuesday night FA Cup defeat to Merstham after being taken ill, and Smith was disappointed not to have won the game for the absent boss.
"I wanted to win this game for him and for the chairman, Mick [Ford], they have been brilliant," he said.
"I told him to forget about the football this week and try to rest and get better, but I don't think he managed it. I just want Steve to get well and get back, because I don't like doing this job. I didn't sign up for this stress!"
