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Gibson hits back at the critics
St Albans City FC chairman John Gibson was delighted to see his club avoid successive relegations, particularly for manager Steve Castle who he believes has proved the doubters wrong following his questionable first spell in charge.
"We got there in the end," said Gibson. "Steve Castle has done a brilliant job and thoroughly deserves to take over next year and move us forward.
"I will still be at the club as I get on very well with Steve. I trust him implicitly and rate him as a coach - he has proved himself. He is the right person to manage the football team and if it wasn't for people like Steve at the club I would probably seriously think about my own position.
"However, this season has still taken its toll on everyone while some things have left a bad taste in my mouth.
"We all know criticism has been thrown around, some of it warranted some of it not but I'm fed up with it all. I can't stand the constant politics and back biting - I find it pathetic. How can someone who has saved a football club from extinction and taken it into the Conference for the first time in 100 years still get slagged off?
"Even if Roman Abramovich was to come to St Albans I am sure some people would still be unhappy. If it gets to the point where it becomes unbearable I can walk away from it and those back biters will have done their job."
However, Gibson is more angry that a few fans still have it in for Castle despite Saints' Houdini act.
"We are still finding Steve is getting criticised. Some of the fans keep referring to his first time in management here four or five years ago. They also still go on about Tom Beech, one of Steve's signings that didn't succeed. But Steve has brought in a lot of fantastic players to the club since then."
Gibson admits the club are running over budget at present but hopes a winning team next season will result in regular gates of 500 plus and a decent pot of cash for Castle to use.
"The results speak for themselves," commented Gibson. "The fans will come if we are winning three or four-nil at home and we've turned it into Fort Clarence. There is no-one to fear in this division although the likes of promoted Chelmsford will have a lot of money to spend.
"We are hoping the budget for next season will be similar to last year. What we are trying to do is see where this group of players can take us, hold back until a month or so in the season and see if there are positions that need to be strengthened."
8:40am Thursday 1st May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Andy, St Albans on 1:00pm Fri 2 May 08
I am a regular supporter of the Saints (home games anyway!). I have seen some rubbish earlier this season, but the last couple of months have been fantastic. I cant imagine that Gibson or the 'Managers that tried' wanted anything else but us to win. However, Gibson had the balls to admit the first two managers couldn't do it, and the faith in Castle which proved well founded. Ignore the critics please - the end results speak for themselves.
I am a regular supporter of the Saints (home games anyway!). I have seen some rubbish earlier this season, but the last couple of months have been fantastic. I cant imagine that Gibson or the 'Managers that tried' wanted anything else but us to win. However, Gibson had the balls to admit the first two managers couldn't do it, and the faith in Castle which proved well founded. Ignore the critics please - the end results speak for themselves.
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