I just want to start off by thanking the club and the Tividale community. I am very proud of being their manager for the last 7 years, an absolute honour.

I am very proud of being the longest serving manager in the league and to gain 310 appearances as The Gaffer. I am also going to miss all of the managers in the league and all our conversations on and off the pitch, they all do a marvellous job for their clubs.

I would like to thank all of my previous players, coaches and Physio’s who have all played a massive part in my reign as Tividale manager. Also, a big thank you to all of the sponsors who have contributed financially to the team but especially The Maverick and ISO Spaces who were there in the early years when we really needed help! I would like to thank all previous chairman of the social club and Tividale FC for their help and what they have contributed over the years, highly appreciated.

I would like to thank the current squad, what a bunch of guys this season! They have had everything thrown at them but stuck together and they deserve so much praise and I am glad they’re going to have a day in the sun on Tuesday too. I would also like to thank my current management team, what a bunch of guys! It’s like being in an 80’s-night club and it’s all kicking off but then we all meet at the burger van at 2pm and get it sorted

Big thank you to the Tivi Family for all what they do and the last biggest thank you of them all is the Leon Murray. What a man! The way he conducts himself and has supported me over the 7 years has been unbelievable. He deserves his title of “Mr. Tivi”. He has supported me all through this journey, through good and bad times, he has always been there. A true gentleman, I will sadly miss him, but I know we will constantly be on the phone still talking about football and I have gained a friend for life.

I would like to thank my own family for all of the time, effort, and commitment they have put into it and the time they give me to do the job. I am going to have my day in the sunshine on Tuesday and can’t think of a more way to end this journey. I am a man of principle and standards and have always tried to do the right thing for the football club.

32 years in the game, I don’t think I’m ready to finish just yet, I have one last dance inside me! I may need a little breather, who knows… but WOW what a journey it has been!

Thank you to you all