Division One News for
Bland and Gregory Leave Staveley (UPDATED)
5th September, 2009
KoolSport NCEL Division One side Staveley Miners Welfare has been rocked by the departure of their manager and their top scorer.
Darren Bland resigned as boss at Inkersall Road earlier in the week, something that chairman Terry Damms has described on the club's website as "a huge blow."
He continues: "In less than a year, Darren brought the best out of the existing squad that, on his appointment, was floundering and he tweaked the team with a few experienced players.
"As a result, he added the Wilkinson Sword Trophy to go alongside the U19 and reserve teams' silverware and achievements of last season, all contributing to the Club's most successful season ever.
"I have nothing but complete respect for Darren and I wish him well for the future."
Meanwhile, Staveley have also revealed that striker Lee Gregory, who has scored seven goals already this season, is set to leave.
A statement reads: "The club have been notified by Lee this morning that he wishes to leave Staveley MWFC and, as such, the club are expecting enquiries to be received of club's notifying their intention to approach Lee within the next 7-days.
"The club wish to thank Lee for his fantastic effort and achievements through the last 2-seasons and wish him well for the future."
Staveley say they will be undeterred by what has been a very bad week for them which also included the resignation of the reserve team management and the departure of four other first team players.
Chairman Terry Damms adds: "There is on-going commitment to the club. The club will not try and buy success.
"If we had an option to win honours by a team of players not known to the club and outside the clubs ethos or come close to honours with our ethos then the latter would prevail, no question about that.
"This club is underpinned by the ethos of youth. This week's events will not change the direction of the club.
"Yes, it needs the hand of experience to compliment the youth ethos, but it is a pointless exercise if the club does not provide opportunities and commitment and playing time to the ethos of youth and those from which the new era's wildest dreams began from its embryo stage many years ago and this will remain whilst ever it is so prudent.
"Players and managers will come and go and everyone has that choice but what will not go is the ethos, that is, whilst ever the current Chairman and Vice Chairman continue to back this club."
Darren Bland released the following statement on Saturday morning: "During my time at Staveley Miners Welfare I have given the job 100% and am sorry to have left the club where, along the way, I have had the privilege to meet and work with some really nice people. I feel I need to state my reasons for leaving to those people.
"When I was first offered the position of manager, I was told all about the ethos of youth and how the club was to be built around 4/5 players and I bought into the ethos as an exciting challenge.
"In my time, I have included all 4/5 players in every squad that has been named and also brought through the young players that in my opinion are very close to regular first team football.
"Only this Tuesday night against Clitheroe at home, we had three players from the U19's on the pitch at one time, this showing my commitment to the ethos as I understood it.
"However, when buying into the ethos, I was never told or I misunderstood that the 4/5 players were to have preferential treatment and play at least 75% of the games played.
"My philosophy as a manager is that all players should be equal and not one player should receive preferential treatment regardless of who they are.
"If they have played professional football or Sunday league football for their local pub team, you should earn your shirt and then look after it once you have it, and regardless of who you are you should keep it, with this in mind myself and John made our decision.
"I would like to place on record how much respect for the time, effort and finance that Terry and Tony both put into the club and they have every right to want to see players playing who they have known from children.
"I would like to wish Staveley Miners Welfare all the very best for the future."
Darren Bland resigned as boss at Inkersall Road earlier in the week, something that chairman Terry Damms has described on the club's website as "a huge blow."
He continues: "In less than a year, Darren brought the best out of the existing squad that, on his appointment, was floundering and he tweaked the team with a few experienced players.
"As a result, he added the Wilkinson Sword Trophy to go alongside the U19 and reserve teams' silverware and achievements of last season, all contributing to the Club's most successful season ever.
"I have nothing but complete respect for Darren and I wish him well for the future."
Meanwhile, Staveley have also revealed that striker Lee Gregory, who has scored seven goals already this season, is set to leave.
A statement reads: "The club have been notified by Lee this morning that he wishes to leave Staveley MWFC and, as such, the club are expecting enquiries to be received of club's notifying their intention to approach Lee within the next 7-days.
"The club wish to thank Lee for his fantastic effort and achievements through the last 2-seasons and wish him well for the future."
Staveley say they will be undeterred by what has been a very bad week for them which also included the resignation of the reserve team management and the departure of four other first team players.
Chairman Terry Damms adds: "There is on-going commitment to the club. The club will not try and buy success.
"If we had an option to win honours by a team of players not known to the club and outside the clubs ethos or come close to honours with our ethos then the latter would prevail, no question about that.
"This club is underpinned by the ethos of youth. This week's events will not change the direction of the club.
"Yes, it needs the hand of experience to compliment the youth ethos, but it is a pointless exercise if the club does not provide opportunities and commitment and playing time to the ethos of youth and those from which the new era's wildest dreams began from its embryo stage many years ago and this will remain whilst ever it is so prudent.
"Players and managers will come and go and everyone has that choice but what will not go is the ethos, that is, whilst ever the current Chairman and Vice Chairman continue to back this club."
Darren Bland released the following statement on Saturday morning: "During my time at Staveley Miners Welfare I have given the job 100% and am sorry to have left the club where, along the way, I have had the privilege to meet and work with some really nice people. I feel I need to state my reasons for leaving to those people.
"When I was first offered the position of manager, I was told all about the ethos of youth and how the club was to be built around 4/5 players and I bought into the ethos as an exciting challenge.
"In my time, I have included all 4/5 players in every squad that has been named and also brought through the young players that in my opinion are very close to regular first team football.
"Only this Tuesday night against Clitheroe at home, we had three players from the U19's on the pitch at one time, this showing my commitment to the ethos as I understood it.
"However, when buying into the ethos, I was never told or I misunderstood that the 4/5 players were to have preferential treatment and play at least 75% of the games played.
"My philosophy as a manager is that all players should be equal and not one player should receive preferential treatment regardless of who they are.
"If they have played professional football or Sunday league football for their local pub team, you should earn your shirt and then look after it once you have it, and regardless of who you are you should keep it, with this in mind myself and John made our decision.
"I would like to place on record how much respect for the time, effort and finance that Terry and Tony both put into the club and they have every right to want to see players playing who they have known from children.
"I would like to wish Staveley Miners Welfare all the very best for the future."
(Story Source: Staveley Miners Welfare)
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