Introduction
And so it was finally confirmed...
It was one of those seasons for everyone associated with the football club. One of those seasons where everyone just wants the season to end, as soon as possible. One of those seasons that just seemed to last an eternity. But finally, it was over. Our fate had been sealed with four games to play, allowing those final four games to mean, pardon my language, fuck all to us.
When the club approached me back in January, after Chris Lucketti left the club, I felt obliged to take the caretaker role at the club as first-team manager. I was the third manager at the club within three months; and I feel that typified the season we had. But, whilst both Lee and Chris departed; I remained there in the role of assistant manager. Therefore, it seemed right that I was there to try and minimise the mess - we knew we were going down.
As the final whistle sounded at Wimbledon, sounding the end to our League One season and status, there was a sense of relief. It seems strange to say that when a club are relegated from a division, but everyone knew it was our time; you couldn't argue against that. Eight wins all campaign, four from myself in the 19 games I managed - recording 36 points, nine adrift of 23rd placed MK Dons and 15 off rivals Rochdale, who survived on the final day.
In the wake of that game, the board approached me and I signed on the dotted line to become the full-time manager of Bury Football Club. I was given a generous two-year-deal and told that the expectation for next season was to build the future of the football club again and look to bounce back. That meaning, look to stabilise the club and win back promotion to Sky Bet League One.
The board understood the mistakes they made. It had been a common theme over the past few years to look towards experience. We signed too many experienced heads on high wage demands, which often caused us to lack youth and physical capabilities in the squad. It seemed relegation was on the cards for a while.
However, relegation to League Two caused the board to promise a new era; lead by myself. I had already gained the respect of the fans through my commitment and blunt comments towards the playing staff last season. I hold nothing back when I address the media. I will tell them the truth and, yes, that can land me in hot water from time-to-time, but honesty is the best policy - as one wise man says. But, I was open about the lack of quality shown from individuals and those will have no place in our future.
The future, under my management, promises a clear vision. One where we find the right balance of youth and experience and one where we use our links to our advantage. Not many clubs can boast of the facilities we have thanks to Manchester City and we need to use those to give us a head-start on our rivals.
It was the right time to become the permanent Bury Football Club manager. I had built something with the fans; despite the terrible season we suffered through together. I knew the foundations were in place to build something special and that is, indeed, the aim here. The club have found a place in my heart over the time I have spent here and it is my duty to get this club back on the right path. Now, let's get this show on the road...
