Classy manager Rawlinson wishes Spalding United well after his exit

Popular Chris Rawlinson insists that he has no axe to grind after leaving his position as Spalding United manager.

Rawlinson left his role with the Tulips on Sunday in the wake of an Emirates FA Cup exit at lower-graded Brantham Athletic some 24 hours earlier.

Spalding chairman Andy Gay cited the club’s “indifferent opening” to the new season and the club’s aim to find a manager who has “the desire to play football” as the reasons behind the move.

Rawlinson, who arrived at the club in the summer of 2016 as Dave Frecklington’s assistant before stepping up as number one in February 2017, feels that his squad could have turned the situation around given the chance – and also believes that his perceived direct style of play suits the Evo-Stik League East Division level.

But he accepts that Spalding’s start to the season hasn’t been good enough and feels it’s the club’s right to go in whichever direction it sees fit.

“I’m not surprised by the decision in terms of results,” said Rawlinson. “But the argument would be that we’ve only lost two of our six games. Of course, the counter argument is that we’ve only won one of our games.

“Look, I’m aware that the club has secured a very good sponsorship deal and that one of the requirements is that Spalding play a certain brand of football.

“I was aware that we needed to make a good start to the season, so to be out of the FA Cup and quite low down in the table wasn’t up to the expected requirements.

“From my point of view, I still believe that this group of players could have turned things around and that the table would look a lot better after ten games.

“The decision for me to leave was mutual, every club is allowed to go in the direction they see fit.

“The club is entitled to its opinion, but it’s my belief that it’s very difficult to play a certain way in this league – given how the pitches are, especially at the Sir Halley.

“Fair enough, the pitch is in decent condition at the moment, but it won’t be in a month or so. A lot of the better sides at this level play in a direct way.

“Last season we were very pragmatic, but we had a massive budget cut to deal with. I was proud of how we turned things around, if I’m honest. We added firepower over the summer and have created many more chances this season, but just couldn’t turn periods of domination into goals and wins.

“That’s not me blaming the forwards or the team, as I do feel we’d have improved moving forward.”

The Spalding job was Rawlinson’s maiden role in first team management. He steered to club to a memorable third place in Evo-Stik NPL First Division South by the end of the 2016/17 season, only to miss out on promotion in an agonising play-off final defeat against Witton Albion.

The Tulips couldn’t quite match that feat last season, but still finished in a very respectable 13th place amid budget cuts in his first and only full season as manager.

One win from six games this year cost him his job, but he admits that he’ll be forever grateful for the opportunity.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time with Spalding,” added the ex-boss. “And I will always be massively grateful for the opportunity the club gave me to manage for the first time.

“I do feel that I leave the club in a better place than when I arrived with Dave (Frecklington) a few years ago. Setting up the development squad (with Lewis Thorogood) will stand the club in great stead moving forward and I’m sure it will bare fruit.

“You forget that, but for that agonising play-off defeat, we could have been a Step Three side. We’d have been able to keep that team together if we’d gone up and who knows what would have happened. I’m very proud of that season too.

“I’m not bitter about leaving. I’ve made lifelong friends here and wish everyone at the club the very best. What happens next for me? I think I’ll take a break, who knows what will come up.”

Tulips supremo Gay, who placed Matt Easton in caretaker charge for Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at Loughborough Dynamod, admitted the decision was one of the toughest he’s had to make in his time with the club.

He said: “We have not got off to a good start to the season and after securing what could develop into the best sponsorship deal in the history of the club, it was felt necessary to take positive action.

“As chairman, and on behalf of the board of directors, I have had to make a very tough decision to part company with Chris.

“I would like to thank Chris most sincerely for the hard work he has put into the club, work which supporters would not see. On a personal note, it is the most difficult decision I have had to make since becoming club chairman.

“I have asked assistant manager Matt Easton to take over in a caretaker position to take the club forward while we (the board of directors) decide on a permanent replacement.

“I firmly believe we have to find someone who has the desire ‘to play football’ and bring youth through to first team football, giving our valuable supporters better entertainment.”