Life has given me time I have left Gosport ...

Park, insisting the pandemic has allowed him to change priorities

having played more games than all their promotion rivals.

They were in form, though, having won three of their last five games prior to Covid-19 taking a stranglehold on worldwide sport.

Molyneaux’s teams were certainly hard to break down – only leaders Truro and Poole (who had played six games fewer) conceded less than Borough’s 32 goals in 33 matches.

But goals were hard to come by, with only 35 netted – only Blackfield and Beaconsfield scored fewer. Even Dorchester, in bottom position, netted more.

In an inconsistent season, there were some great results – Gosport beat Truro (1st), Chesham (2nd) and Taunton (6th) at Privett Park (the latter in Molyneaux’s first game) and also won at Tiverton (5th).

Against that, though, Gosport drew at home to lowly Dorchester, Beaconsfield and Yate Town and lost at home to Hartley Wintney.

Despite all that, Molyneaux remarked: ‘I have to say I’m really proud of the job I did, taking a side that had been fighting relegation for a few years. ‘I genuinely think we would have made the play-offs. It was a shame it all came crashing down.

‘I hope the fanbase and the community of Gosport can see the club has turned a corner. ‘I wish them all the best, I’m not a bitter person – I’d like to go down there and watch some games if I have the time.

‘The chairman (Iain McInnes) is a great guy, he always supported me. If he stays I’m sure the club can continue to progress.

‘They’ve been in the Conference South before and that’s where they should be. The club’s aim should be promotion next season and then a few years of stability in that league before they look to go up again.’

Lee Molyneaux only kept two players of the Gosport squad he inherited