‘The Chuckle Brothers’?
Glossop North End are ending their season with a run of 1 point from a
possible 24 and the messageboard abuse is starting to head towards joint caretaker managers
Paul Williams and Garry Brown.
Given the results it’s not a surprise, football fans are
ever thus, but it’s hard not to have a little sympathy for the duo. This is the team they inherited from Paul
Colgan, less the 20-odd goals striker that the former manager (and 20-odd goals striker's employer) may or may not
have ‘got at’ or may genuinely have a knee injury. Who knows?
They had no increase in budget, they didn’t really have a
chance to add to their squad as players were settled. Even the weather conspired against them, as
as soon as they were appointed the cold snap hit, which lasted until…well, it’s
still happening isn’t it?
If the world of football were fair, Williams & Brown
would at least be given the summer to build their own squad, pick their own
team, and be afforded the opportunity to show what they think they are capable
of. Sadly, football isn’t fair – I think
it is almost inevitable they will be replaced as soon as this dismal season
ends.
Crowds are down at Surrey Street this season. I haven’t done the averages, but it is even
30 less per game (which would be my guess) it could have cost the club nearly
£4,000 in gate receipts. North End can’t
afford that.
As a result, even if a sense of fairness might tempt a
person to give the current management a summer, a sense of finance won’t. What brings the punters in is hope and
optimism. The goodwill from the terraces
has gone, and because of that it seems that Williams & Brown will have to
go. The club can’t afford to risk (more) people
voting with their feet.
And then the board have to get the next appointment right…who
should it be?
