Carshalton Athletic legend Ian Cox dumped his former employers out of the FA Trophy last weekend, but left Colston Avenue with a good luck message for the new era of Robins.
The ex-Trinidad & Tobago international lined up in the Whitstable Town defence on Saturday to guide the underdogs to a 2-1 win.
There was more bad news for Ian Hazel over the weekend as a win for Thamesmead Town in the Ryman Premier League saw them climb off the foot of the table at the Robins’ expense.
Hazel’s side then missed the chance to climb off the bottom after a 1-0 defeat at Margate on Tuesday night.
Robins travel to Thamesmead Town this weekend in an early six pointer in the relegation battle, but Cox believes the club’s youngsters still have a big future.
Cox, who went on to make 456 Football League appearances at clubs including Crystal Palace and Gillingham, said: “Carshalton have some good youngsters and if they keep their feet on the ground and stay focused, they can step up the ladder as I did.
“I went straight into the first team squad when I arrived at Carshalton, and the only bad memory I have of my year there was losing a Surrey Senior Cup final against rivals Sutton.”
The 42-year-old, pictured, played 90 minutes as the Oystermen beat the Robins. He remains Carshalton’s record sale after the Eagles swooped in with £35,000, and he has not forgotten his time with the Robins.
“I owe a lot to the then boss Billy Smith and assistant Colin Green, both developed my game before Palace came,” he said.
“I was riding the crest of a wave when I moved but I’ve never forgotten my time with them.”