It's been an absolute pleasure to be Milton United Manager the past three seasons. It was a tough decision but I feel it was the right time to take a step back from football, you don't realise as a player the time and effort that goes into running a football club. The chairman (Andy Burchette) has given me nothing but support and backed me from day one when he took a chance on a 32 year old manager. The time he gives to Milton United is unbelievable along with Pete and Lee Chapple, Chris Owen, John Cannon, Barry Griffiths and who can forget Michael who do so much, so a group of lads can play football.

I've been luck enough to have had a good management team to back me up. Marcus 'Eric' Brown was just what I needed from a number two, there to listen and offer advise and pick you up when your down and was questioning myself as a Manager. I will always remember Our first meeting with Andy we sat down and chatted and Eric made the bold statement that we would get promoted in two years! I remember sitting there thinking, we don't even have any players and you have told the chairman we will get promoted, we came out and I said what the ###@ did you say that for we don't even have a team yet, and he just smiled and said I have faith in you! And to be fair he wasn't wrong (for once) I've also had Pete Culley, Seb Dixon and Tim Davies over the last two season and i can't thank these guys enough, for the support they have given me, been absolutely quality.

I don't think I will ever experience anything like that first season again it was amazing. We had a great togetherness on and off the pitch, you didn't want to go home after a game and we had a belief we would win, we never gave up. In truth we weren't ready as a team or club to go up but you have to take it when it comes. I actually think it was more of an achievement to stay up last season than winning the league. The gulf is massive between the divisions the games come so quick and every game is so tough mentally and physically, and you come up against some very good players and managers every game. I've been disappointed with this season, I think we put together the best squad we've had in terms of ability and our performances pre season looked really promising unfortunately the attitude to training and commitment wasn't there and in this league turning up with eleven players and me having to put my boots on more than I should was only going to end one way, that shouldn't be happening at this level and we have finished where we deserved to, so I'm disappointed how it finished but whoever takes over is going to a great club with great people there to back you up and I will certainly be up to support the team at some point. It will be nice to actually go to a game and enjoy watching it, I'm sure I will be back in involved one day football's a drug that's hard to walk away from. To all the players that have played for me over the three years thanks(there's been alot) ill miss the changing room it's hard to explain to people what it's like in that environment that's what I will miss the most. I have been lucky to have some good lads that have given me some great memories. But my last thank you must go to my wife and kids, they have had to put up a lot with a grumpy husband and dad and had to make sacrifices so I could be at football and not moaned once, so it time I gave something back to them.

Ciao for now