'Let down by the system'
NEW MILLS AFC chairman Ray Coverley says there is no animosity towards manager Tony Hancock following his shock resignation from the club.
Hancock relinquished his role after a thumping 5-0 defeat by AFC Fylde on the last day of the season, which saw the victors clinch the Vodkat Premier Division championship on goal difference from New Mills and guarantee promotion to the UniBond League.
Two weeks on, and uncertainty continues to shroud the club.
Some reports suggest Hancock may be reconsidering his decision to quit, and the Football Association is still holding firm on its judgment not to promote the Millers to the next rung of non-league football, as league runners-up.
Speaking to Advertiser Sport, chairman Ray Coverley said: "We talked to Tony last night (Tuesday) and he really doesn't want to spend another year at Level Five. He's an ambitious lad.
"It is looking likely that we are not going to get promotion, and he feels that he has won every trophy at this level and he feels he would find it hard to motivate himself for another year at this level.
"Unless things alter, he has resigned from the club. There is no animosity on our part and I can understand his feelings.
"Wherever he goes, we wish him all the best. Whoever gets him will get the magic carpet ride we had.
"I would love Tony to carry on, but I understand his frustration at the situation The FA has put us in, where you gain 104 points in a season and are not rewarded.
"There seems to be all the risk and none of the reward. Relegated clubs are being rewarded for finishing bottom. I just feel let down by the system.
Despite the uncertainty, Mr Coverley says New Mills remains an ambitious club with its sights firmly on the UniBond League. But should The FA not relent, he admits they face an uphill challenge.
"We face a big task of keeping our squad together. A lot of these lads wanted to play at the next level and have even come down from there to play for Tony Hancock," he added.
"The FA don't realise that we may have lost a manager to it, but also we might lose players, and that means we have to start rebuilding."
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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