The Mangotsfield draw is my biggest regret (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

The Mangotsfield draw is my biggest regret

12:09pm Thursday 30th April 2009

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Had Hemel Hempstead lost on Saturday then we would have sneaked into the play-offs if not for the points deduction, but for me that result was always going to be immaterial.

I said to the lads in the dressing room before we played Supermarine, make sure you win and then if Hemel did slip up then psychologically we knew we would have finished fifth.

As it stands we have given ourselves something to build on next year. We finished fourth last season and to get in the play-offs again would have been a great achievement.

As it happens we’ve finished eighth and, looking back, I feel it was the Mangotsfield and Rugby Town games which really cost us in March.

They are the games I regret the most. Against Mangotsfield the players took the opposition lightly and against Rugby we conceded a penalty in the 93rd minute. It is fine margins like that which come back to haunt you at the end of the season.

It’s been a difficult season and we’ve had our peaks and troughs but what I can’t fault some of these players for is sticking together, sticking with us as a management team and sticking with the club.

A lot has gone on at the club this season and it has been well-documented but for them to keep going and finish where they have is nothing short of fantastic.

It’s a credit to them but hopefully we’ll be better, stronger and brighter next year. Everyone’s got their part to play. If we can unite together all through the club then hopefully we can move in the right direction.

I’d like to end my final column of the season with a series of thank you’s. Firstly, to the supporters who stood by us through thick and thin.

It wasn’t always easy but you never stopped believing. So a genuine thanks from the management and players.

To Clive, Leila and Scott Garraway for all their excellent work behind the scenes every week which has helped make my job easier.

To Pete Hussey and Paul Sunners for working with Chris Snoddy.

To Rob Bullock our excellent groundsman, Sean Hughes and our scouts, the stewards, the ladies who prepare food for the team coach and everyone who gives up their time.

We wouldn’t have a club without you.

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