Slade Says His Goodbyes

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 30/05/2004

NEW Town boss Russell Slade has said his goodbyes to Scarborough fans, and received a cordial parting from the Boro chairman.

Speaking to the Scarborough Evening News the 43-year-old Town manager said: "It's a huge wrench to move on and I go with may happy memories. There have been plenty of highs - obviously the FA Cup run and the tie with Chelsea, but there were plenty of memorable matches in the Conference."

Slade picked out three players to whom he wished to give special thanks, some of whom could perhaps be early targets to join him at Blundell Park: "Home and away the fans have been brilliant and I thank them for their support, as I would the players - the likes of Shaun Rennison, Darren Stamp and Scott Kerr (left).

When Slade arrived at the McCain Stadium, the East Yorkshire side were in an even worse financial position than Grimsby are now, in administration and on the verge of relegation from the Conference, both of which were turned around during his stay at the club.

"All the problems when the club was in administration - it is not easy telling players they might not be getting paid when they should be.

"Together with Malcolm Reynolds, I would like to think we not only saved the club from relegation in that first season I was here, but that we saved the club full stop. We were in dire straits at that time.

"If you compare those times with last season's cup run then we have certainly come a long way.

"There is little doubt that the next manager will come to a club in a far more stable position than it was when I arrived here."

Slade's former Chairman Malcolm Reynolds wished him the best of luck in his new job, for which he has signed a one year contract, with an option of a further year. Reynolds told the club's official web site: "I wish Russell all the best in his new position. As a friend, I am delighted that he has what he believes is an opportunity to further his career at Football League level.

"I thank him for his contribution to Scarborough Football Club, mindful of where we were when he took over and the difficult circumstances under which we have worked at times."

Slade returned the compliments to his former boss, saying: "During my whole time at Boro, Malcolm has been fantastic and I just hope I have the same relationship with the chairman at Grimsby."

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