Express & Star

Dean Gill makes the tough choice to walk away from Wednesfield

Dean Gill has described his decision to step down as Wednesfield boss at the end of season as ‘hard but required’.

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Gill made the announcement over the weekend, citing a difference in ambition between himself and the club.

He led them to promotion as runners-up of the West Midlands League Division One last season. They are currently sixth in the Premier.

“It was hard, but it was required. It is always a requirement that the club can move on as well as the team, but the club can’t move on as I want it to,” said Gill.

“It was about getting Wednesfield back to the level they needed to be, and we’ve done that. But we’ve got kids here good enough to win the league next year, they’re not getting paid. We would have challenged for promotion next season.

“If we went up, though, the club couldn’t financially support it and that’s why I made the decision.”

Gill had a five-year plan in mind when he took over Wednesfield, to be challenging for promotion in the Premier by the end of it.

He achieved promotion from Division One in the second and the Amos Lane side have exceeded expectations this year.

“The five-year plan was to be competing to get out of the league, and we’ve achieved that sooner than we thought we would,” said Gill.

“There are some managers in this league who have no aspirations of getting out of it, that’s a knock on them that’s just the way it is. This was a joint decision from all the coaching staff, they all fully supported my decision.”

Gill wants to remain in management, and intends to take Wednesfield assistant boss Lee Turton with him if he becomes chief of another side.

“Someone has got to offer us one I reckon, we’ll end up somewhere,” added Gill.

Chairman Darren Giddins is set to meet with the rest of the club’s hierarchy soon to discuss potential candidate to replace Gill.

Wednesfield did not play at the weekend as their pitch was waterlogged. The only game to go ahead in the Premier on Saturday saw Stone Old Alleynians beat Pegasus Juniors 1-0. Table-toppers Wolverhampton Sporting hope to continue their superb run at Shifnal Town tonight.

Tyrone Clarke O’Connell struck late on as Darlaston Town drew 3-3 with Kington in Division One. In the Midland League Premier at the weekend, Lye Town drew 2-2 with Haughmond. Heath Hayes lost 5-2 to Heather in Division One.