Double blow for the Millers
NEW Mills capped a scintillating season by winning the Vodkat League Challenge Cup on Monday night in Tameside.
But the shimmer was devastatingly wiped from their season after their manager Tony Hancock's shock resignation from the club.
And they also learned that their magnificent surge to second place in the Vodkat Premier Division, collecting them 104 points, might not even earn them the promotion they richly deserve.
The drama started at New Mills just 24 hours before the cup final when boss Hancock announced his departure.
The decision was posted on the club's website, on Sunday, as follows –
"New Mills AFC regret to announce that due to increasing personal and work commitments, manager Tony Hancock has offered his resignation to the Club's committee and this has been reluctantly agreed. It will take effect after tommorrow nights Cup Final against Runcorn Linnets. "
New Mills lost their crunch title decider against Fylde on Saturday by 5-0, after Micky Ryan was sent off. It meant Fylde were promoted and won the title on goal difference,with Millers second.
Now New Mills officials say promotion is not guaranteed for the club despite an amazing sequence of results and glorious football.
A club spokesman said: "The noises coming from The NWCFL committee are that only one team will be promoted to The Unibond so if that transpires, then New Mills will still be playing in The NWCFL next season.
"Several teams further up the non-league pyramid are struggling financially so all hope isn't lost so it may not be the end of the story just yet."
On Saturday, New Mills were the better team for an hour, but a goal a minute from half time gave Fylde a crucial lead and once Micky Ryan was sent off for dissent, Fylde scored three late goals when, understandably, the players heads dropped a little.
Manager Hancock insists the Fylde result had no bearing on his decision to leave.
The club's statement says: "The manager leaving in no way reflects on the AFC Fylde result as Tony made the decision several weeks ago, but the team's phenomenal winning sequence delayed the announcement.
"Tony wishes to thank the players for their effort and commitment, Paul Kirkham for his outstanding contribution to the team's success and finally the Chairman and the Club's committee for their loyalty.
The departing manager says: "With the fanbase, New Mills deserve to play at the highest possible level."
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Weather for Buxton
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
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Light snow
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