davieG Posted 10 October 2012 Posted 10 October 2012 BREAKING NEWS - Dean Thomas resigns as Hinckley United manager by MATT DAVIES HINCKLEY United manager Dean Thomas today resigned after 16 seasons and 972 games in charge. Thomas took over the Knitters when they were formed in 1997 and guided to them to the brink of the Conference at one stage. However, after three years of financial problems he has quit with the club bottom of Blue Square Bet North and out the FA Cup following the defeat to Ossett Albion on Tuesday night. He said: "We have all experienced some wonderful times and also battled through some dark days. "We've seen some fantastic, proper non league footballers pull on the HUFC colours with pride and who have been a pleasure to watch and manage. "I believe I have been backed and supported throughout by the majority of our band of loyal supporters for which I am extremely grateful. "But it is with great sadness that I feel I can no longer take this club forward. "The last three seasons have been seen as a constant battle against massive financial problems both for me personally, the players and the club which has been well documented. "A large percentage of the board voted I remain as manager for the coming season. "I tried tirelessly to improve this squad but unfortunately our reputation has gone before us and that has seen many non league players through the summer refuse to join us and go elsewhere. "The young players I have signed have given it a go and I don't blame them. The North Conference is a tough place to learn their trade, but unfortunately it is a bit too big at the moment for some, but I hope in time they all cut it at this level and higher, and take with them a little of what we have taught them. "I would like to thank everyone personally throughout the club at every level. This club has been a big part of my mine and my family's life and I have made some life long friends through all this and taken away some wonderful memories."
davieG Posted 10 October 2012 Author Posted 10 October 2012 Probably should have left when they got relegated, They didn't get relegated did they?
Guest kristianity77 Posted 10 October 2012 Posted 10 October 2012 so what actually has gone on there then financially? Out of the area now so haven't keep up to date with the news from there?
MattyFromLE Posted 10 October 2012 Posted 10 October 2012 I trained under Dean for a while, proper nice guy. I always keep an eye out for Hinckley being 15 minutes away I would like to go down and watch more. Over 900 games for a manager is commendable in any league.
goose2010 Posted 10 October 2012 Posted 10 October 2012 so what actually has gone on there then financially? Out of the area now so haven't keep up to date with the news from there? basically the people who owned them (downes) walked out on them along with 75% of the board.
Heart-Shaped Fox Posted 10 October 2012 Posted 10 October 2012 They didn't get relegated did they? They finished in relegation places but stayed up due to Kettering being demoted again i think. Annoyingly I think Hickley have three points. And got them at Boston
GLC Posted 10 October 2012 Posted 10 October 2012 They finished in relegation places but stayed up due to Kettering being demoted again i think. Annoyingly I think Hickley have three points. And got them at Boston Ah, i wasn't aware that they didn't get relegated
darko2k7 Posted 10 October 2012 Posted 10 October 2012 Where is Leicestertpool's poll " Next for Hinckley " he's slipping
foxfanazer Posted 10 October 2012 Posted 10 October 2012 Where is Leicestertpool's poll " Next for Hinckley " he's slipping Damn it, I was gonna post this . Bet it's all the same ones he puts in for Championship teams. Sven, Mick McCarthy, Billy Davies etc
Corky Posted 10 October 2012 Posted 10 October 2012 Where is Leicestertpool's poll " Next for Hinckley " he's slipping Have no fear.
Ashley Posted 10 October 2012 Posted 10 October 2012 I wonder if my cousin will take the reigns now then.
Tielemans63 Posted 10 October 2012 Posted 10 October 2012 basically the people who owned them (downes) walked out on them along with 75% of the board. Yep. And a lovely new stadium that they couldn't really afford.
Leicesterpool Posted 10 October 2012 Posted 10 October 2012 No poll, not big enough! mind you why don't somebody else make one up On Hinckley shame for them he's done alot for that club for last 15 years and is probably one of the best managers in non league, but maybe the club need a fresh face. Next For Hinckley I'd suggest see if they can persuade Mark Cooper or go for a young upcoming manager in Steve Farmer at Bedworth United.
Thracian Posted 11 October 2012 Posted 11 October 2012 It's not that simple. I have an acquiaintance who used to work there and he was lucky to get a proportion of the wages he was owed and, sadly, there were others in the town who reportedly suffered similarly while working at places run by people connected with the football club. It's not about finding the right calibre of manager - no-one was more devoted or more capable of doing the job than Dean. It's about getting the funding to rebuild credibility.
LJS Posted 13 October 2012 Posted 13 October 2012 It's the right move for the club. Dean Thomas deserves a lot of credit for his achievements at the club but the sad truth is that the club has been in decline for the last three seasons and the change of management should have happened sooner. Thomas was stubborn in his style of play. I try to get down there as much as I can and Hinckley are too direct and predictable because of it. On the rare occasions they have got it on the ground and played they've looked threatening. People claim you can't play that way in non-league, but it's rubbish. Clearly he hasn't been helped by the financial situation at the club - something which, as Thracian says above, has had an impact far beyond the club alone - and now much of the previous board has departed there is some hope for a clean slate and a new approach. It will take time though, and the club may have to suffer on the pitch while things are righted off it. I do hope they get it right; it's healthy for the county to have more than one football team doing well at a decent level. Barwell and Coalville are doing their bit at the minute and Hinckley certainly have the potential to reach former heights. Thomas will be playing in a charity match at Hinckley tomorrow; Leicester Legends vs Ashby Sports Club, I believe. I hope he gets the send of he deserves. Things may not have gone too well in recent years, but he is the only manager the current club has ever had and took them to the FA Cup Second Round twice, and was within seven minutes of winning promotion to the Conference Premier only five years ago. Good luck to him in the future. Whatever his failings it cannot be denied that he always had the best interests of the club at heart.
Happy Fox Posted 16 October 2012 Posted 16 October 2012 Carl Heggs for Hinckley http://www.bbc.co.uk...otball/19950039 Carl Heggs wants Hinckley United manager's job Carl Heggs says he would like the Hinckley United manager's job on a permanent basis. Heggs has been put in caretaker charge of the Blue Square Bet North side following the resignation of the club's only previous boss Dean Thomas. "Of course I want to be the manager," Heggs, 42, told BBC Radio Leicester. "I am young and ambitious. It would be a great opportunity for me." The Knitters remain bottom of the table after Saturday's loss at Colwyn Bay. But Heggs was encouraged by his side's display in the 3-2 defeat. "We should have won the game," he added. "We have an inexperienced squad who showed they want to play for the club and they want to play for me. "We were terrific at times and that was the best we have played all season."
Alexikokopops Posted 17 October 2012 Posted 17 October 2012 I wonder if my cousin will take the reigns now then. He certainly wants a pop at it Carl Heggs for Hinckley http://www.bbc.co.uk...otball/19950039
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.