Manager Jim Gannon has issued the following statement in response to yesterday’s announcement from the National League regarding the conclusion of the season:
The 2019/2020 season will be long remembered as a season of dramatic closure and great adjustment in football. Unprecedented social protection events have curtailed much of normal life, and we have had to endure an excruciating period of concern for our lives, our livelihoods and our community. Understandably, it brought an abrupt end to our work and all enjoyment we gained from the game. In the end, the final result means we are not able to enjoy the labour of all our work which gained a seventh place finish on the final day of the season.
We will all have different emotions at this time with the recent announcement of the final sporting outcomes of this season, and many will still be working through the range of feelings involved. However difficult it is, we must accept that for sporting integrity the season had to be concluded without the completion of the full fixtures. The measure of achievement rather than the customary 46 games had to reluctantly shift to a calculation based upon the relative work of all up until the date of closure.
At this time, and for many years to come, we could enjoy or endure the conjecture of what might have happened at the end of this season. But it is important we remain understanding and perhaps philosophical in accepting that a decision had to be made. Throughout the process I have been aware of the implications for our Club and accepting of that.
For me what has been of greater concern and bearing has been the empathetic thoughts towards the members of the League who may suffer much more than us. The consequences of the resolution delivered yesterday could be much more harmful to others than us. I trust that time helps heals their hurt and that they use any perceived injustice as a positive emotion to focus on future success, rather than let negativity undermine their enjoyment of the game.
For ourselves, we should not reflect on what wasn’t allowed or couldn’t be achieved, but on what has been accomplished in this season. Regardless of our final position, I would want to thank everyone at the club, the staff and most especially the players for their efforts and endeavour throughout this season.
We entered this league with some concern, but trusted the professionalism and positivity of the players to deliver performances regardless of our training structures. A final position of 7th/8th is a great testament to their character, to go from competing in the league to challenging for promotion. They have all played their part, on the training ground, in the changing room, on the pitch and all around the Club. The same group took us up from the North as Champions and their drive to continue that journey throughout this season was evident right up to the last game.
I am sure that our fans have enjoyed the continued rise of the Club and the new experiences. On the road we had the noise at Notts, the wild scenes at Wrexham, Frank’s dipper at Dover, the emotion at Ebbsfleet and the sheer joy at Fylde. At Edgeley Park the crowd has risen, live TV cameras returned, and many new young fans invited and won over. And the Cheadle End always sings. Beating Barrow, Ozzy’s wonder-strike against Eastleigh, late drama against Dagenham, Hogan with a debut goal, and Ash at the back post again. Your constant backing of the team was an integral part of our work on the pitch and justified my decision to return the ‘12th Man’ to our fans.
We must look forward now.
As we are seeing throughout the nation, we are all beginning to re-evaluate what is important to us and the part that we play in our community. We have been reminded very clearly to be conscious of the value of each and every person, and we have become more appreciative of everyone, even those that quietly go about their business.
Within our club, I have always been grateful of the work of everyone at our club. From volunteer, groundsman or cleaner all the way up to the Chairman. We have much to be proud of. We are a Club of the Community and for the Community. I can’t name you all but look forward to the day I can shake your hand, give you a hug, or a proper appreciation of my thoughts and feelings.
The Spirit within and throughout all aspects of our club, I believe, will ensure our continued success in the future. That future looks bright under the ownership of Mark Stott and the leadership of our new board. We have a lot to look forward to.
The retention of the staff and a core of first team players will ensure that we carry forward the characteristics and qualities of the team that has brought us within a step of the Football League. But the new ambition means that we will see many new faces throughout the club and the unfortunate loss of others. Such transitions are always difficult due to the attachments that end and the re-building of new connections. But it will be for the greater good. We cannot understate our desire to return the Football League and the time is fast approaching for us to deliver on that ambition.
James Gannon.
