News

The application window for the role has now been open for a few days and we have had a healthy number of applicants. The window was originally open until Saturday but following further discussion this has now been brought forwards to tomorrow (Thurs 21st Sept).

A panel from the board which as per previous situations includes our Supporters Club Chairman, are assessing applications based on our requirements and will decide next steps once the window closes.

A caretaker leadership group is in place and coordinated training last night. This group is made up of coaches Simon Dye and Owen Barry, who remain with the club supported by vice-captain Alby Lansdowne and Lewis Fenney. This leadership group is being overseen by myself.

Should the recruitment process not be complete in time for our next scheduled game against Quorn the team will be led for that match by this group.

Over the last day or so you will have seen a couple of players leave the club. This is only natural at this level of football when a manager leaves either because other clubs express interest in signing our better players or lads decide to leave given the uncertainty ahead of a new manager joining the club. This is entirely normal.

On that front and to provide a little context Mason Frizzle, our captain has left to join Basford. With James Jepson being named the new manager at Basford yesterday they would have come in for Mason in any event irrespective of our manager situation. Speaking to Mason yesterday, given Basford is 5 mins from his house, it’s a league above and the deal offered him was one he couldn’t turn down he leaves us with our best wishes and asked me to pass on his thanks to everyone connected with the club and especially our supporters.

Bekhir Halil informed me that he was leaving the club on Saturday evening and so this departure has nothing to do with Carl leaving. Bekhir came to training last night and did a full session and said his farewells to the lads which was a class touch from a lad who I have the upmost respect for. He agreed after Saturdays game to join Boldmere St Michaels which is just five mins from his house.

We have had another couple of approaches from other clubs for players and we are doing our best to hang onto those lads ahead of the new manager being appointed.

One of those we have had an approach for is Goalkeeper Lewis Fenney who has today committed to remain with the club ahead of the new manager coming in. Lewis has a great affinity with the club and recognizes it’s a challenging time so him staying is great news.

I spoke personally to all players individually at training last night and had some really positive discussions with all of them. Some are nervous if the new manager when appointed will like them, others have been there before and looking forward to hearing who we appoint.

This is perhaps the third time over the years I’ve supported a manager transition and each time its been difficult for a variety of reasons. This time especially so given the close connection and affinity I personally had with Carl and Paul and the great work they put in on the clubs behalf.

Following discussions last night with the group, I’m hopeful most lads will stay however whoever stays and whoever goes ahead of the new manager coming in we will deal with it.

As an aside, some will remember a time when Damion Beckford Quailey resigned with 4 games to go of the season at 5pm on the Saturday and the whole squad went with him. 72 hours or so later the following Tues we had somehow assembled a squad (bearing in mind the signing deadline had passed) filled with mainly youth and reserve lads that went away to Carlton Town and won the game 2-1. Fortunately, we are and will be far from being in that situation in this instance.

Thank you for your patience and support as always as especially during this time. Our aim as a board is to act swiftly in finding a replacement for Carl but not make a rushed decision that will not be right for the long term future of the club.

Thanks for reading.
Gary