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Long Eaton Hit Back At Ex-Boss' Claims
20th April, 2008
Long Eaton United chairman Jim Fairley has taken a swipe at departing manager Craig Weston - saying he wishes he had sacked him earlier this season.
Weston resigned from his post with three matches of the Northern Counties East Premier Division season remaining.
He accused the club of lacking ambition after they failed to apply for promotion to the UniBond League at the end of last year - but now Fairley has hit back.
"At the beginning of the season, our aim was to get into the UniBond League," said Fairley.
"Craig was told he would have whatever he wanted in order to do that but come November-December time, no matter what he might say, there was no chance of challenging for promotion.
"So we decided not to apply, just like many other teams did.
"At the end of the day, the table doesn't lie. We were about 15 points behind the team we would have to catch and they had three games in hand over us, so we felt it was an impossible task.
"We were also out of every cup competition.
"Looking back, when we took the decision not to apply for the UniBond League, we probably should have backed that up by replacing the manager."
Fairley added: "I don't want to have a go at Craig. I like him immensely - he is a smashing bloke.
"And if he feels the club has let him down, I'm sorry he feels that way.
"But unfortunately you are judged by your results.
"Last season, four teams went up and we weren't among them. And this season, we are a million miles away from promotion."
Blues defender Mick Allsop has taken temporary charge of the team for the remainder of the season.
Fairley does not expect the 28-year-old to be interested in the job on a full-time basis.
"I was pleased and a bit surprised when Mick came forward," said Fairley.
"He is an absolutely quality person and the lads look up to him but he has just become a father and I think getting the job full time would be the last thing he wants.
"We don't want to leave it too long to appoint a successor but we don't want to rush into anything either.
"We are looking for someone to manage the whole club, not just the first team."
Weston resigned from his post with three matches of the Northern Counties East Premier Division season remaining.
He accused the club of lacking ambition after they failed to apply for promotion to the UniBond League at the end of last year - but now Fairley has hit back.
"At the beginning of the season, our aim was to get into the UniBond League," said Fairley.
"Craig was told he would have whatever he wanted in order to do that but come November-December time, no matter what he might say, there was no chance of challenging for promotion.
"So we decided not to apply, just like many other teams did.
"At the end of the day, the table doesn't lie. We were about 15 points behind the team we would have to catch and they had three games in hand over us, so we felt it was an impossible task.
"We were also out of every cup competition.
"Looking back, when we took the decision not to apply for the UniBond League, we probably should have backed that up by replacing the manager."
Fairley added: "I don't want to have a go at Craig. I like him immensely - he is a smashing bloke.
"And if he feels the club has let him down, I'm sorry he feels that way.
"But unfortunately you are judged by your results.
"Last season, four teams went up and we weren't among them. And this season, we are a million miles away from promotion."
Blues defender Mick Allsop has taken temporary charge of the team for the remainder of the season.
Fairley does not expect the 28-year-old to be interested in the job on a full-time basis.
"I was pleased and a bit surprised when Mick came forward," said Fairley.
"He is an absolutely quality person and the lads look up to him but he has just become a father and I think getting the job full time would be the last thing he wants.
"We don't want to leave it too long to appoint a successor but we don't want to rush into anything either.
"We are looking for someone to manage the whole club, not just the first team."
(Story Source: Derbyshire Evening Telegraph)
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