The majority of managers in English non-league football might be described as “part-time managers” but, in reality, most are anything but.

Often balancing both a family life and a full-time profession with their footballing duties, bosses are left with managing – and in certain cases at the start of some seasons even forming – a squad of players.

Workington Reds joint boss Dave “Dabba” Hewson, from Carlisle, explains some of the demands he has to deal with in his managerial career.

He explains: “You are never off the phone. You are always speaking about your next game.

“You are always kind of doing your homework on other teams and managing your players.

“That’s what a lot of it comes down to, man-management of individuals. You have a squad of 16-20 there that you need to manage and keep happy and hungry.

“They all want to play but they can’t all play, so there are a lot of things that you need to take into consideration.

“It certainly isn’t a part-time job because it takes up a lot of time. But we do it because we love it and we want to stay involved in football.”

Hewson himself admits he has a strong affiliation with Reds, which spans 15 years and has seen him hold a number of different roles with the west Cumbrian club.

“Obviously, I started off playing. I think it was 2003 when I first started playing [for Workington],” he says.

“I managed to have a prolonged career and played there for about 10 years. During that time, I played under some good managers.

“At first, it was Tommy Cassidy but I suppose I had my best times and my best seasons under Darren Edmondson, who I have got a lot of respect for as a player but, also, as a manager and a coach.

“Then, I had to retire due to a knee injury. I had some time away from football but I missed it and I wanted to get back into it. Then Gavin Skelton was in charge, and he invited me back.

“The plan was to get back playing but that didn’t work out and he gave me an opportunity to kind of stay involved and stay alongside himself and Degsy [Derek Townsley] and that was the start of it.

“I started to get involved in the club in a coaching role and it just went from there. I think I just benefited from working alongside such good managers.”

In 2015, there was to be another significant shift at Borough Park with Skelton heading for Queen of the South, with Townsley taking charge, while Hewson and former Carlisle United player Lee Andrews took positions as Townsley’s assistant.

Hewson explains: “Degsy was assistant manager and, then after that, it was a shock when Gav left, but Lee was in a similar scenario to myself after retiring due to a knee injury and felt, as a three, we would give it a go.

“It kind of went from there.

“Unfortunately, Derek finished about a year and a half ago [for family reasons]. That’s left myself and Lee who have kind of worked our way up and made the most of the opportunity we have been given.

“We have also had the luck of working alongside and playing for some really good managers. That’s what has helped to stand us in good stead.”

While most clubs usually operate with a manager and an assistant, Hewson and Andrews are both joint bosses at Workington.

But Hewson admits: “To be honest, we don’t really know any different because it was like that when we were working alongside Degsy.

“Degsy was the spearhead of us as a three. But we made all the decisions as a group.

“It’s the same how me and Lee do it. We have got different personalities which works well and I feel like we work well in terms of how we manage and go about our business. It just comes naturally to us.

“And it really helps having someone alongside you during the difficult times when you kind of need to pull together. I have a great relationship with Lee. How we work it as joint managers is the best thing for us both.”

Last season, Reds enjoyed great success in the FA Trophy, reaching the last 16 and earning some considerable prize-money during that run.

Hewson says that prize-money is vital for a club of Workington’s size.

“That’s one thing myself and Lee have kind of learned. The fact of what goes on behind the scenes and the pressures the club is under with finances,” he admits.

“They are things you don’t take notice of as a player and kind of take for granted.

“But when you are given a budget as a manager, you kind of understand the restrictions the club has.”

While Workington ply their trade in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League, fellow Cumbrian clubs such as Penrith (Northern League), Carlisle City and Cleator Moor Celtic (Hallmark Security League), and Annan Athletic (Scottish League Two), all play in completely different leagues, while Carlisle United play in League Two.

Hewson admits the fact most local clubs play in different leagues helps to allow the clubs to form positive working relationships.