Hinckley AFC assistant manager Paul Tomlinson admitted it was a strange feeling to come to a game knowing it would be his last at the club.
After three and a half years working alongside Carl Abbott, Tomlinson now follows Abbott to his new job at Evo-Stik Division One South side Market Drayton Town.
He says he’s thoroughly enjoyed his time at the club, and found it hard to walk away. He said: “It’s quite a strange feeling, knowing that it would be my last game.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time at this club. It’s a very special club and it’s hard to walk away.
“But I don’t want to be a manager and I feel the club needs someone who can take it on from there. It’s in great hands under Dean for the next few weeks and then whoever comes in will bring their own staff.
“So I just want to give a clear run for that person because I don’t want to be a number one. I’m happy being a number two and doing all the coaching, but being a number one isn’t for me.
“That’s the reason I’m stepping down. Not because I want to leave for the sake of it, but to allow the new manager to crack on with it and bring his own team in and hopefully continue what we’ve built.”
Despite the many highlights during his reign, however, there is only that stands out above all the others.
“We’ve had some great games but the Redditch game, against a team from three leagues above, really stands out. On the day, we thoroughly deserved it. It wasn’t a fluke result, it came because of the way we performed. That’s probably the standout.
“But there are so many good memories. Carl’s record speaks for itself. It’s hard when you leave because we’ve tried ton play a certain way and have a certain style.
“Maybe at times we’ve overplayed but we set out to give the club an identity and I think it’s worked. Everyone knows what Hinckley are about under what Carl and I have done. Now it’s time for someone else to come in. Will they continue that or will they change the style completely? Who knows.
“This has been a club where the people – the committee, the supporters, the likes of Geordie and Gunny in the backroom – have been tremendous. There are so many people I could mention. The work that these guys do for this club, which goes unnoticed, is marvellous. To have been part of that has been an absolute privilege and I know Carl has the same sentiments.”
Everyone at the club would like to thank Paul for his efforts at the club and wish him all the best for the future.
