It is goodbye from the touchline, however it’s not necessarily farewell.

In the words of Frank Sinatra, ‘so now the end is near’ with the final curtain about to fall on my time as manager of my hometown club.

As I reflect on my past five years, I am filled with immense pride of what we have achieved together, with immense gratitude for all your unwavering support and passion shown to the team. Your dedication to support the club in large numbers to help us to move forward has made the last five years truly unforgettable.

From winning the play off away at Glossop, ensuring promotion to the Northern Premier Division East, for the first time in over 50 years, to lifting the Northern League Cup and Cleator Cup, to the heartbreaking lows of defeats, you have been there every step of the way, cheering, singing, banging the drum and showing your unwavering support. Your enthusiasm has been the heartbeat of grounds around the Northeast and beyond, creating an atmosphere that is unmatched by any other club around.

As I bid farewell to this chapter of my life in football, I wanted to express my deepest thanks to each and every one of you. Your love for this truly unique club has made it a joy to be a part of, and I will carry the many memories of our shared experiences with me always.

Though my journey as manager may be coming to an end, I know that yours will continue on. Keep supporting the club and the team with the same passion and fervour that you have shown over the past five years. Cherish every moment, celebrate every victory, and stand tall in the face of every challenge.

So, this Saturday, lets celebrate together, loud and proud for one last league game, and when the game is over, win, lose or draw, I would personally like to invite you to join me and the players in the club afterwards for a drink, where our end of season awards will be presented and my successor announced.

Hopefully you can join us!

Ian Skinner