MARK SAYS FAREWELL
Sunday 15 November 2009

Having served Cray Wanderers for many seasons, first as manager of the Under-18s and then more recently as manager of the Reserves, Mark Hanscombe finally bid au revoir to the Club today.

Citing squad changes being inflicting on him as the main reason for stepping down, I know that Mark hadn't been too happy about the inevitable situation, brought on ostensibly by the First Team 's promotion success and the limited budget of the Ryman team. Both reasons meant that Ian Jenkins had to look to Mark to provide up and coming players from the lower ranks to try and strengthen the First Team squad, at the expense and potential success of the Reserves.

When Mark and I had a natter during the Carshalton game at Hayes Lane a couple of weeks ago, the first thing he said was that he didn't want to sound like he was blaming Jenko for all the changes being made to the Reserves team as a consequence, and that he has plenty of time for Jenko.

This morning, somewhat out of the blue , I received one of many emails (as I do) from Mark with 'Resignation' in the subject line. This grabbed my attention straight away and I opened that one first before the others he had sent me. The opening lines left me in no doubt what had happened, as it read: "Trevor, I have resigned as Reserve Team Manager." Mark went on to thank me for my support (things do get done for the First Team and the Reserves by many people 'behind the scenes', so this compliment doesn't just apply to me) and he said that Gary (Hillman) was told yesterday but the players were not told until this morning.

I had a feeling, from our chat on 25 October, that something might be in the air. I for one am truly gutted that Mark's chosen to leave the Reserve Team managership, but I can understand his frustration. Having tasted success with the Reserves a couple of seasons ago, albeit as runners-up in both the Kent and London Intermediate Cups, he felt that this season may herald a return to such winning ways. Finishing as runners-up in the Kent League last season, after a dodgy start to the campaign, was another excellent feat. But decimation of his team this season was always likely to make success difficult for him.

I've had some fun along the way, when I've been at Reserves matches, and Mark has always been prepared to suffer this fool gladly. Mark doesn't deserve to be out of football management for long, and I hope that he gets a fitting position sooner rather than later, but not at the expense of being a stranger to the Club or it's supporters.

Trevor Mulligan