Tunstall sad to say bye to Town but looking forward to new challenge at Shildon
JAMIE Tunstall has reflected on the “tough decision” he made to leave Crook Town and take over as new manager at Shildon.
The former Billingham Synthonia boss was named as successor to Daniel Moore earlier this week and has wasted little time in settling into his new role.
After holding a series of meetings with Railwaymen chairman David Dent either side of confirmation of his appointment, Tunstall has made contact with members of his new squad as he prepares to get his reign underway.
But he afforded himself a chance to look back at a successful spell at Crook after leading the Black and Ambers to promotion into the Northern League’s top tier and to this season’s Durham Challenge Cup Final.
“It was very much a tough decision to make,” he explained.
“I’ve made no secret of how ambitious I am but I am incredibly grateful to the committee and to the supporters for the backing they have given me.
“I’ll always hold them in high regard because of the treatment I received and there is a sense of sadness in leaving.
“When I joined they’d been in the bottom three in the second division so I am proud of what we have achieved.
“Seasons were hit by Covid but we managed to achieve something with promotion and the Durham Challenge Cup Final beating the likes of Sunderland U23s, Newton Aycliffe and, coincidentally, Shildon.
“It will always be a club I hold in high regard.”
Tunstall revealed his determination to build on the positive work undertaken by his predecessor at Shildon after Daniel Moore led the club into the Northern Premier League for the first time and then claimed a play-off place in their maiden season in step four of the non-league pyramid.
He said: “Daniel Moore has done a cracking job at Shildon and he’s left the club in a fantastic position.
“He’s built a good group of players and one that I am thankful to be taking on.
“As a squad, they are in a good position and we want to build on his good work at the club.
“We have players in mind, there may be players deciding it’s time for a change and we will look at one or two players that we could bring in.
“First, and foremost, we will do what we feel is best for the club to take us forwards.”