Andy Giddings on football heaven tonight

Said the impression he's had from the board in the last few weeks, that they wanted a slightly more experienced coach this time, and that the likes of Williamson were never in contention.

He also alluded to transfer targets being identified based on each individual coach who was being considered, and that now we've appointed Clarke, there could be some movement on incoming targets imminently.

Clarke has signed a 2 year deal, with an option in the club's favour of a 3rd year. Though there is a release clause if someone comes in for him.

Edit: oh and he thinks Hourihane will sign.

 

That dreaded release clause...

 

See they keep on doing this don't they, laying false trails and sending us off to moan and whinge and vilify all these fictitious "candidates" while they're beavering away in peace and quiet negotiating and setting up a deal with somebody that no-one ever thought of.

 

To be fair that was one of my main moans about Collins no English football experience, no promotions on his c.v, Clarke has both Cheltenham fans are gutted to lose him and early days but he's saying all the right things.

 

I just want king Conor back. It's all I ask

 

More experienced than Duff, can't argue with the experience he's bringing.

Probably should have had a crack at a higher level before now, there are managers with worse CV's that have done.

 

And the one thing he doesn't yet on his CV is promotion to the Championship, so it is great motivation for Darrell and I would think that is why he wanted it.

 

Wiki says he turned down Leeds a while ago

 

Who'd have thought the twitter lot raging at the club over 5/6 targets 'turning us down' were wrong!?

On a serious note, I am genuinely excited about this appointment. I think it's a really good one. Already seen folk on twitter moaning about his '30% win rate' & relegation with Cheltenham, without adding context that he came in with 10 games played when they had won 0 and scored 0, a record. He managed to get that side motivated and playing decent football, something Duff got praised for after our abysmal championship season, and it went down to the last day this season before they did eventually get relegated.

I hope the board allow him influence over transfer signings and they put 100% trust in him, I also hope the fans give him some patience too, hopefully there is no toxicity left over from this season so it doesn't add something extra on. I imagine though if we come out playing some lovely attacking football, last season will be quickly forgotten - fingers crossed!

Good luck, Darrell

 

Don't think that's true.. he said they'd spoke face to face with a few some from Europe.. You're implying the rumours were complete fantasy.. while I'd say they were true, but never came to fruition for various reasons

 

We'll see I guess. Record after Christmas

P 23
W 7
D 3
L 13

Although they did beat Portsmouth earlier in the season.

 

I just hope that if he does get us promoted he sticks around & has a crack at it in the championship with us for at least a season. It’s that release clause that worries me!

 

I guess all I'd add to that is, he inherited a squad which wasn't his. And whilst he was able to sign 7 players in January, the only one they paid a fee for was from Bath City (so presumably a nominal fee). They finished the season 10 points worse off than they were the season before, though didn't have Alfie May at their disposal. So it could be argued that given the circumstances, he did well to get them into a position where they were fighting for safety on the last day, despite not scoring in the first 10 games of the season.

 

Let's be honest, that Cheltenham squad is just poor anyway. 0 coin to spend. He has a fantastic CV and almost pulled off a miracle with Cheltenham so I'm very excited

 

Let's be fair they were a poor side he improved them but they were still poor.

 

If folk want to find fault they can obviously or let's face it he wouldn't be our new head coach. The release clause I would imagine is common place with manager/head coach if he wants to leave saves the time haggling over compo. Let's hope he's given time as this season clearly going to be a transition one and he himself wants to build something and sticks around if things go well.

 

If he gets us promoted, history tells us he'll stay at least the following season. Dont think any manager has ever left us after being promoted. I've seen us promoted under Steele, Clarke, Hunter, Wilson, Ritchie, Heckingbottom and Stendel and all were there the following season.

 

Well it was a bit tongue in cheek I confess, but on the other hand it's pretty obvious that deal didn't just happen yesterday. Theyve been talking to him for some time and nobody on here so much as mentioned his name, as far as I can see.