‘Heartbreaking’ as Wrens boss Short walks quits post

Short stepped down from the managerial hot seat this week after the Evo-Stik League Division One South club had exited two cup competitions in four days.

The former Sutton Town boss joined the Wrens during the close season as assistant to Scott Rickards, but found himself thrust into the deep end of a job he never wanted just two days before the start of the season when Rickards walked out on the club.

Short had brought in a number of players from clubs from lower levels who were expected to blend in with the remaining Evo-Stik players at the club, but the departure of most of those players in search of greener pastures and richer pickings has left the Wrens well short of experience.

And they have suffered as a result, taking just one point from four league games before exiting the FA Cup and the Doodson Sport Cup in quick succession, suffering some heavy losses in the process.

Secretary Les Lee said an early announcement is likely in respect of a new appointment, while also expressing the club’s sorrow that things did not work out for Short.

He said: “The whole committee feels desperately sorry for Dean, and for Dean Mitchell who he brought in as his coach. Dean never intended to take the top job when he joined us and he was dropped into the deep end when Scott decided to go.

“With most of our senior players having left in the meantime, Dean has been unable to attract the players of the right calibre to replace them because his background is in the NCEL and East Midlands Counties League. And several heavy defeats have left us with no choice but to take action before we find ourselves with too much ground to make up on the rest of the division.

“It’s been a heartbreaking decision to have to make because we are not a club which gets rid of managers willy-nilly. Dean deserves better and we would like to place on record our profuse thanks for his efforts on our behalf, and wish him every success wherever he goes from here.”

Short also expressed his disappointment at deciding to step down. He said: “I came originally as assistant to Scott, and when he left I agreed tot take on the job to help the club out on a short term basis.

“At no time did I envisage taking the manager’s role, and therefore I am standing down, with the club’s agreement, with immediate effect.”

The Wrens have another tough game on Saturday at home to Chasetown, before travelling on Tuesday evening for what is already a six-pointer against fellow-strugglers Brigg Town.

Meanwhile, the Wrens’ FA Cup exit on Saturday means they have been given a re-arranged fixture on Saturday, 13th September, against Loughborough Dynamo who knocked them out of the Doodson Sport Cup on Tuesday.