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Heathcote: 'I would step down'
ALTY boss Graham Heathcote insists he would step aside if his board decided to pursue a different direction at the club.
Heathcote has come under increased pressure in recent week after a string of disappointing results thrust his side into the relegation zone.
Weymouth's draw at Northwich on Tuesday saw them leapfrog Alty into 20th place on goal difference.
Some fans have called for a change at the top and Heathcote said he would be happy to resign as manager if the Robins' directors thought it would be in the club's best interests.
He told SAM Sport: "I'm not afraid to be told my time's up and if that's what the board wanted then I would be happy with that.
"I like to give people all the options available and that's what I did on Monday when I met the chairman.
"I don't want people to think I'm just sat here while the team are struggling for a third year running doing absolutely nothing. I've gone to the board and told them the possibilities.
"At the end of the season we'll do the same again, I'll sit down with the board and we'll analyse where this football club is going and what needs to be done.
| “It won’t be lack of passion from the management, board or fans that will take the club down but we need the same from the players." | | Graham Heathcote |
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"But the board want me to continue so, for the moment, I'm trying to put this all aside and focus on the eight games left.
"I would ask fans to put aside any feelings about me and put any adrenaline they have and any passion they have into the remaining eight games of football to help these lads keep us in the division."
After back-to-back league defeats, Heathcote is calling on his players to show the passion required to come out on top in the relegation battle.
The Robins manager has no doubts about his squad's ability but believes they need to show more fight as the teams at the bottom begin a desperate scrap to stay in the Blue Square Premier.
"It's difficult for the players because a lot of them have only been together for less than a season," he added.
"We don't have the likes of Mark Maddox, Gary Talbot and Chris Adams at the club any more, guys who would give their all for the club. It's been a massive transition over the past year.
"It won't be lack of passion from the management, board or fans that will take the club down but we need the same from the players.
"Everyone needs to give their all to try and keep us in this league.
"You can go to Torquay and get a result but it means nothing if you go to Grays and play like we did first half.
"We need to be much more consistent."
Heathcote also joined his chairman Geoff Goodwin in hitting out at the owners who put their club's future at risk in the pursuit of short-term success.
"In football and in our league over the past three or four years there have been clubs gaining false positions on the back of over-spending," he added.
"More and more clubs are going into administration and it doesn't seem right.
"You can have a better football team but the day might come when you can lose your club.
"We will continue as we are and keep turning a profit every year but nothing is being done about this situation."
2:28pm Thursday 20th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Pete Hatersley, Sale, Cheshire on 3:41pm Thu 20 Mar 08
The managers comments are easy to make when the board is made up of his friends. You cannot blame the players when they are asked to play 4-5-1 and do not score.
The managers comments are easy to make when the board is made up of his friends. You cannot blame the players when they are asked to play 4-5-1 and do not score.
Posted by: Simon Monk, Timperley on 6:38pm Thu 20 Mar 08
If the players were allowed to play in their natural positions and we played a positve 442, I'm sure they would respond and show a bit more passion Mr Heathcote.
If the players were allowed to play in their natural positions and we played a positve 442, I'm sure they would respond and show a bit more passion Mr Heathcote.
Posted by: Nick Smith, Irvine, N Ayrshire on 8:16pm Thu 20 Mar 08
The board has decided Graham stays, so he is right in ine thing: get behind the team!
The board has decided Graham stays, so he is right in ine thing: get behind the team!
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