Interim King’s Lynn manager draws inspiration from Scunthorpe and Chester bosses as he prepares his side for FA Cup clash against the Iron

King’s Lynn Town caretaker boss Joe Simpson says he’s drawing inspiration from fellow young managers as he looks to guide his hometown club into the FA Cup first round proper.

Lynn face a tough trip to high-flying Scunthorpe United tomorrow, but Simpson, still only in his 20s, says he can learn plenty from rookie bosses who have proved themselves at this level and beyond.

In particular, the Lynn-born coach cites the examples of Scunthorpe’s own Andy Butler and Chester’s Callum McIntyre as proof that youth and inexperience needn’t be barriers to success in the dugout.

“Absolutely, I can take a lot from people like Andy,” said Simpson.

“He’s gone in there, learned from good people around him, and then made it his own. He’s been himself, stuck to his principles, and it’s come up trumps.

“He was under a lot of pressure last year at one point and that’s not nice to see from the outside when people are calling for your head, but he believed in what he was trying to do. He’s built momentum, got them promoted, and now they’re flying again.

“I’m genuinely delighted for him. I’ve worked with a few of their players before, and I always keep an eye out for them, but Andy deserves a lot of credit for what he’s achieved there. He’s gone up another gear.”

Simpson also finds encouragement in the story of Chester boss McIntyre, another young coach who has risen from the supporter ranks of his hometown club to lead the first team in National League North.

“Callum probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves for what he’s done at Chester,” said Simpson.

“He’s a local lad like me, worked his way up through their academy, and when he got the first-team job, there was a lot of noise about whether he was ready.

“He’ll have had all the same things thrown at him that I’ve had in the last few days, not enough experience, hasn’t done it before, can he handle a big dressing room?

"But he’s believed in himself, stuck to what he knows, and built a strong, competitive team playing good football.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for what he’s done because he’s made it his own. He’s shown that if you work hard, stay true to your principles, and keep improving every day, you can succeed no matter your age.”

For Simpson - now the youngest boss in the National League North - those examples provide a roadmap for his own journey, even if his focus right now is simply on preparing his side for the daunting task at hand against the Iron.

“People will always have opinions about whether you’re ready,” he said.

“The truth is, they’ll never know until you get the chance to do it. All I can do is keep being the best version of myself every day, plan properly, coach well, and give everything for this club.”

And while few would envy his side’s task against a Scunthorpe outfit flying in the league above, Simpson insists it’s an occasion to embrace.

“They’re flying, they’ve got a great manager and a lot of momentum,” he added.

“But what an opportunity for us, a proper game, a proper crowd, and no pressure on our lads. We’ll go there, have a real go, and enjoy the occasion.

“You never know where it might take you, that’s the magic of the Cup.”