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Mike: I wanted Jim to stay
1:00pm Thursday 1st May 2008
MIKE Worthington says Jim Vince's departure has left him at his lowest ebb since taking over as chairman.
He told the Guardian he had wanted the manager to stay despite Witton's failure to secure promotion for the second successive season.
I don’t think I’ve ever felt as low as I do now.
Witton Albion chairman Mike Worthington
"There was never any question of Jim being fired," he said.
Worthington admitted he was at a loss as to why Vince had decided to quit hours after Albion's play off semi final defeat against Buxton on Tuesday.
He did reveal though that he had told the now former manager that the playing budget for next season would be slashed, adding that Vince had been aware of, and accepted, that possibility.
Indeed, Worthington told the Guardian last week that two packages had been on the table for quite a while', one tailored for promotion and the other for Witton staying where they are.
"He promised me he would do his best with what I had proposed and that's what I was expecting," he added.
"Jim has brought success to Witton Albion over the past two years but he's not done that without an appropriate budget.
"I still rate him extremely highly and said to you only last week that our relationship had been the best I had known between chairman and manager.
"There has been no fall out, in fact for the past few weeks we had been talking openly about life in the Blue Square North then all of a sudden we are both faced with what's happened," he continued.
"We invested, quite rightly, in Jim Vince to get Witton Albion promoted and he got us extremely close but the sad fact is we will still be playing in the UniBond League next season.
"Because of that we can't keep the budget at the same level next season."
Worthington also moved to squash speculation among supporters that the pair had had a disagreement about plans off the pitch.
He added: "I've heard talk about what I call husbandry issues' such as whether we buy a new kit or not for next season.
"Of course that's something that can be discussed as part of preparations for next year but for me it's not a resigning issue.
"I don't think I've ever felt as low as I do now.
"Believe me there have been a lot of ups and downs but this is the worst dip."
Your Say YourNorthwich
Greenie, Northwich says...
2:35pm Thu 1 May 08
Dave, Northwich says...
4:42pm Thu 1 May 08
Greenie wrote:What short memories people have re MW.
It doesn't wash with anyone who has ever spoken to either man. This is just fanciful nonsense.
As several contibutors have noted on the previous article, only two people truly know what has happened and until the dust settles we will not (or may never)know.
Inflamatory comments reduce any hope for compromise to nil.
Perhaps JV and MW can use this episode to put everything on the table and clear the air.
If people stop turning this into a personal war then there may still be a way to keep both valuable people at the club.
ched come_on_the_albs, leftwich says...
6:58pm Thu 1 May 08
Sort out this mess and keep Jim and Nige at WP.
the ciggarette man, on my sofa says...
7:16pm Thu 1 May 08
Greenie, Northwich says...
11:16am Fri 2 May 08
Dave wrote:We know the truth.
Greenie wrote: It doesn't wash with anyone who has ever spoken to either man. This is just fanciful nonsense.What short memories people have re MW. As several contibutors have noted on the previous article, only two people truly know what has happened and until the dust settles we will not (or may never)know. Inflamatory comments reduce any hope for compromise to nil. Perhaps JV and MW can use this episode to put everything on the table and clear the air. If people stop turning this into a personal war then there may still be a way to keep both valuable people at the club.
WORTHINGTON OUT
Your sayYourNorthwich
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Greg, says...
1:36pm Thu 1 May 08