Sad farewell to Celtic manager who created ‘togetherness’ at club
WEST Allotment Celtic chairman David Dodds has hailed the impact of manager Jay Bates as he prepares to bring down the curtain on his six-year reign later this month.
After succeeding former manager Paul Bennett during the summer of 2018, Bates secured a sixth place finish in the Ebac Northern League’s second tier during his first season in charge.
A more successful push for promotion looked on the cards during the 2019/20 campaign as Allotment sat at the top of the Division Two table with 10 games remaining - only to see the season curtailed by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
After the following season met a similar fate, an FA decision saw Allotment finally promoted 12 months later and they secured an 11th place finish in their first season back in Division One.
Bates’ side created league history in what will now go down as his penultimate season in charge as Allotment ended the campaign in fifth place - surpassing the previous high of ninth place, which was set in 2009.
Ahead of Saturday’s home game with Tow Law Town, Bates’ men were sat just below mid-table and will now hope to end his reign on a high with a positive run over the final fortnight of the season.
Dodds praised the togetherness Bates and his coaching staff have fostered at the club and revealed his sadness at their departure.
He told The Sunday Sun: “Jay came in after Paul Bennett when we were in Division Two and he steadied the ship.
“Last season was our highest ever finish, his win percentage is 52 percent and we can’t thank him enough for what he has done for the club.
“Off the pitch, he looks after the players and there are 17 of them going to Portugal in May for a holiday so that tells you about the togetherness.
“When you look at what he has done for the club, and what he has put on the pitch, we all really appreciate the efforts and we are sad to see him go. It doesn’t always happen when a manager leaves a club but we are parting on good terms after what is a job well done.”
Dodds confirmed there have already been ‘two or three’ expressions of interest from managers looking to succeed Bates and build on the foundations he has put in place.
But the Allotment chairman warned any manager stepping into the role must take a ‘longer-term’ view of the challenges they will face should they take charge.
“We can’t match what other clubs are paying out here and that goes back to when Jon Mcdonald was in charge - but we manage because of the hard work and dedication of our committee.
“It’s a project for whoever comes in but we want managers that look at the longer-term picture. We had a season when Jay didn’t win in the first 10 games but there was no pressure put on him and we took that longer term.
“Over the years, and I’ve only been involved for 20 years, we always have a number of applicants and there have been two or three that have shown an interest.
“We want to appoint correctly and that will probably come once the season is over. We won’t promise what isn’t there, we will build with them throughout the season.
“It’s about being togetherness.” Allotment are back in action on Tuesday night when Sunderland
RCA visit East Palmersville Sports Pavilion.