Vince stands down
Monday, 26 May 2008 13:50
Witton Albion have announced that manager Jim Vince has stepped down from his post due to 'personal circumstances'.
Vince, who originally agreed to return to the Wincham Park hot seat three weeks ago after initially resigning in the wake of the club's failure to win promotion, is currently recovering from an operation on his ankle, and has been told that rehabilitation will take four to six months.
Witton Albion Acting Chairman Mark Harris said that he was surprised and disappointed but that "Jim's welfare must come first. When he accepted our offer to return to the club, the full extent of his recuperation wasn't known. Although we offered him the option of going on sick leave and returning when fully fit, he felt that this would not be fair on the club or on any caretaker manager, and so we reluctantly agreed to part company. Jim leaves with our very best wishes, and I am sure his managerial reputation will continue to grow when he is able to return to the game. Witton Albion Football Club now has to move on and find the right man to build on the foundations laid by him."
Vince said "I really appreciate the 2 and half years I spent at the club and wish them all the best. I'm always here to help in any way I can."
Vince's assistant Nigel Deeley has expressed a desire to remain at the club, and is assisting the board in their search for a successor. Director Graham Edgeley explained: "Nigel has made it clear that his work commitments prevent him taking full charge, but wants to stay at the club. He is an excellent coach and commands the respect of the players, which gives us the continuity which is vital if we are to keep the current squad together. Together with Nigel we have drawn up a list of potential managerial targets, and have a preferred candidate with whom we've been in discussions over the weekend after being granted permission to speak with him by his current club."
Mark Harris would not be drawn on a timetable for the new appointment however. "Obviously we want to get the new manager in as quickly as possible, but nothing has yet been signed or sealed. We do have other options open to us, and if current negotiations do not work out, we'll look at those other options more closely."
Vince, who originally agreed to return to the Wincham Park hot seat three weeks ago after initially resigning in the wake of the club's failure to win promotion, is currently recovering from an operation on his ankle, and has been told that rehabilitation will take four to six months.
Witton Albion Acting Chairman Mark Harris said that he was surprised and disappointed but that "Jim's welfare must come first. When he accepted our offer to return to the club, the full extent of his recuperation wasn't known. Although we offered him the option of going on sick leave and returning when fully fit, he felt that this would not be fair on the club or on any caretaker manager, and so we reluctantly agreed to part company. Jim leaves with our very best wishes, and I am sure his managerial reputation will continue to grow when he is able to return to the game. Witton Albion Football Club now has to move on and find the right man to build on the foundations laid by him."
Vince said "I really appreciate the 2 and half years I spent at the club and wish them all the best. I'm always here to help in any way I can."
Vince's assistant Nigel Deeley has expressed a desire to remain at the club, and is assisting the board in their search for a successor. Director Graham Edgeley explained: "Nigel has made it clear that his work commitments prevent him taking full charge, but wants to stay at the club. He is an excellent coach and commands the respect of the players, which gives us the continuity which is vital if we are to keep the current squad together. Together with Nigel we have drawn up a list of potential managerial targets, and have a preferred candidate with whom we've been in discussions over the weekend after being granted permission to speak with him by his current club."
Mark Harris would not be drawn on a timetable for the new appointment however. "Obviously we want to get the new manager in as quickly as possible, but nothing has yet been signed or sealed. We do have other options open to us, and if current negotiations do not work out, we'll look at those other options more closely."