Shildon Football Club was dealt a blow on Friday (6th January) when its entire management team, who have been at the club for the past 11 years, resigned.
Manager, Gary Forrest, his assistant Stuart Niven and coaches Phil Brumwell and Keith Finch all tendered their resignations on Friday morning.
It is understood that a disagreement over the sale of star player, David Ferguson to Darlington precipitated the departures.
The management team’s tenure culminated in a raft of trophies over the past four seasons, including their first league title in over 80 years last season.
In an emotional statement to the club’s supporters on Facebook, outgoing manager, Gary Forrest said: “After 11 fantastic years at Shildon Football Club it is with a very heavy heart that I have taken the decision to resign.
“I have read comments from the conspiracy theorists on social media suggesting it was because we went out of the Vase! I am actually smiling while I write this as it’s the most pathetic theory I have ever read.
“Yes we were disappointed, but come Monday morning the management team had discussed it and put it to bed. The players will confirm that it simply made us more determined to retain our title as league champions.
“I have also read that we are only interested in winning the Vase, again, complete crap! Every single player that has walked through the doors in the last 11 seasons will tell you that our main objective has always been to be league champions.
“It’s been a wonderful journey with so many ups and downs. I still wake up during the night with heavy sweats having nightmares about that Vase semi final and the disallowed goal.
“I still remember my first day as manager and turning up at the ground and thinking ‘what have I got myself into?’
“But in the main these 11 seasons have left me with many great memories and some good friends. Shildon Football Club is a special club, the people are what make it special.
“Yes I am gutted at the way it has ended but that’s life and that’s football. What is important now is that everyone gets behind the chairman and his plans for the club in order that all the hard work and sacrifices made by so many people over the last 11 years does not go to waste.
“He has big plans for the club which I sincerely hope he is able to deliver.
“It’s also important that you all get behind [new manager, Daniel Moore] and the lads please for the rest of the season.
“Thanks for the great memories, we won that title in the end.
“Love you all and good luck in the future.”
Club chairman David Dent said: “Whilst the circumstances could have been better, Gary and Stuart have made an enormous contribution to Shildon AFC over the last few years and we wish them every success in the future.
“We are now however entering another exciting chapter in our history and I am delighted that ‘Bobby’ Moore has accepted the position as manager.
“He has a long history with Shildon and gets the bigger picture of what we are trying to achieve.
“I am confident that Bobby can produce a team that can continue to compete against the best teams within the Northern League and who will work alongside the Board and our extremely talented Development Squad to create a sustainable community focused football club here at Dean Street.”
Moore made his debut as manager the following day in an away Northern League tie at Sunderland RCA which his side went on to win 6-3 after being 3-2 behind at the half time interval.
The side, currently in third place, remain in contention in the defense of their league title and are still in the League Cup, of which they are the current holders, and are through to the quarter finals of the Durham Challenge Cup.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
