Blues temporary management duo step down (From Northwich Guardian)

Mike Alcock and Dave Twite say their work is done at Winsford United

3:30pm Wednesday 12th May 2010 in Football By Andrew Simpson

MIKE Alcock advised Winsford United to seek stability next season after stepping down as joint caretaker manager last night, Tuesday.

Dave Twite told Blues’ board too that he did not want to continue picking the team.

“Winsford have flirted with relegation for the past two seasons,” said Alcock.

“I think a club with their history and reputation should be looking to finish in the top half of table and I’ve seen no reason why this set of players can’t achieve that.

“It’s been a bit of a back-to-front time with managers coming and going and I think that’s what the chairman will be looking to avoid next season.”

Alcock and Twite secured Blues’ place in the North West Counties League’s Premier Division with two matches to spare.

They guided the team to two cup finals too – the Mid-Cheshire FA Senior Cup and the Vodkat League Challenge Cup – only to finish runners-up both times.

Their impact was instant after the club parted company with Tony Ledwards in March following a run of one win in 18 league matches.

Blues won three of the duo’s first five matches in charge, picking up 11 points.

A run six successive defeats followed before victories over St Helens Town and Atherton LR made Winsford safe for another season.

“We decided it was right to call it a day,” said the former Middlewich Town number two.

“The pair of us agreed to help the club until the end of the season and were happy to do so.

“I was very much 100 per cent I would not be back to do the job on a permanent basis as the experience has left me completely drained.

“There has been a hell of a lot of travelling to games and it is tiring. I’m not sure there would be time for a break either as the search for new players starts almost straight away.”

Chairman Mark Loveless told the Guardian on Monday that planned to take his time before picking a new management team.

“There’s no rush,” he said before last night’s meeting.