Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Moore genuinely happy to stay here – Bloxham
CHAIRMAN David Bloxham believes retaining director of football Micky Moore will be vital in Cheltenham Town’s bid to consolidate their League One status.
Moore was the subject of an approach from county rivals Forest Green Rovers last week, but after holding talks with the Green Devils, he has committed to the Robins.
“Micky has done a very good job and he is valued, so we didn’t want to lose a good employee to a League One rival,” Bloxham said. “We have a very good head coach (Wade Elliott) and head of academy (Tim Bell), but they are both short of experience in the roles. We felt it was important to retain Micky’s experience and the continuity of his influence at the club across the football staff.”
Moore held extensive talks with
Bloxham on Wednesday, but at no stage did the 49-year-old indicate he wanted to leave.
“We spoke at length to Micky, reassured him of our support and objectives and also assured him we want to consolidate in League One,” Bloxham said.
“He had to be convinced we are united in that aim and all pulling in the right direction. We had a frank, but fair and reasonable discussion.
“His contract was tweaked upwards, but there were no hard negotiations because Micky is 100 per cent with the club and he is genuinely happy to accept and happy to stay.”
Bloxham praised both Moore and Forest Green for the manner in which they have conducted themselves since the formal approach was first made last Wednesday.
“All sides have acted in a perfectly professional and respectful manner and we have no complaints about how it’s been handled,” Bloxham said. “Micky didn’t seek them out, he simply responded to their approach and naturally he wanted to know what they were offering.
“He kept us informed throughout and an offer was made by Forest Green after meeting with them. After consulting with the board, we had discussions to try to keep him. In summary: he was headhunted, but we fought off the competition.”
Moore joined the Robins in August 2018, initially as head of recruitment before becoming director of football in February 2020. He acts as an important link between the board of directors and the football operation. Since his appointment, Cheltenham have enjoyed arguably the best period in their history, winning the League Two title, and achieving the club’s highest-ever finish of 15th in the third tier last season.
“Micky is a football man, who gets on with the job and works hard,” Bloxham said. “A key part of the role is his connectivity and contacts, along with his scouting work and bringing players in, which has been a really important part of our success.
“But there is an overarching role linking everyone together and he has been instrumental at organising things behind the scenes. I’m sure supporters recognise how important a cog he is in the wheel.”
On the pitch, Cheltenham host Bristol Rovers in League One today.
Former Rovers players Ryan Broom and Liam Sercombe could face their old club this afternoon.
Robins boss Wade Elliott told reporters: “Sercs has been joking to Broomy that he’ll be getting a better reception from the away fans. I’d imagine (Rovers) will sell out. It should be a good game, with a good atmosphere and two teams in decent form. I am looking forward to it.”