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Wade: Thanks for special moments
Tom Wade had paid tribute to fans in a message thanking them for their support after stepping down as manager of EVO-STIK Northern Premier League Blyth Spartans.
The departing Blyth boss, pictured, thanked supporters for the “special” moments they’ve shared during his time in charge after leaving Croft Park at the weekend following his side's 4-3 defeat at Corby Town on Saturday in his final game at the helm.
Having made the decision to step down last Thursday, Wade told fans it was the bonds he'd built with them that he'll really cherish in retirement. And Wade - who will be succeeded by former Stockport County, Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town striker Alun Armstrong - reckons his love affair with the Spartans was kicked off by an impressive result back in September 2013.
He said: "It's really special - as the time it all started was Witton Albion away. We were down to nine men and we managed to get a win, thanks to Robbie Dale’s penalty. We also saved a penalty as well and the lads were collapsing on the pitch with cramp by the end.
"The Cannock lads and the Coventry lads were there and that love affair happened then. They shook our hands, gave us hugs and we really embraced the supporters. That's what has made it so special for me. The way that we have embraced the support and not just having it where they support us and we clap them going off the pitch.
"We started doing things differently from that point. We embraced them and we speak to them, to really make them a part of the club - as we did with the fantastic home support as well. That's the reason why Blyth is a really special place. It's the supporters."
The 57-year-old's love for the Blyth fans was reciprocated at Corby, with the Cannock Spartans presenting him with a commemorative hip-flask to thank him for his services over the last three and half seasons. Wade was humbled to receive the gift, especially from a set of fans that he feels he owes so much to.
He said: "I was never expecting anything like that. It's pretty humbling for me - as I'm a nobody from Blyth, so for people to appreciate what you do is just massive. For them to spend their time and put themselves out to buy you something is really humbling. I had to fight back the tears and that - as they're really good lads and they've looked after me and Matty [son Tom Wade] when our Matthew was going through a really bad time.
"We played Rushall a couple of years ago and they pulled him off the bus. He was virtually going to wrap it in but they got him off the bus and they made him feel special. Ever since then, Matthew's done exceptionally well. So, on a couple of accounts, I owe them a lot."
Even though he had stood down on Thursday, Wade showed tremendous loyalty to aid his former assistant manager Neal Hooks at Corby - after Armstrong was unable to make the game, due to previous commitments with the Middlesbrough coaching job he has left to take up his place in the Spartans’ dugout. However, it was a day of mixed emotions for the 57-year-old - as he struggled to avoid taking charge for one final time.
Wade said: "It felt strange at the final whistle. It was a surreal day - as I took a backwards step for the first time ever and let Neal take the team and pick the team. I found it hard not to act as a manager and I have to keep remembering that I'm not the manager any more. It was a hard day for me actually, because you want to say so much but you can't."
The popular Wade is likely to continue to be a familiar face at Croft Park for some time to come as he seeks to fill what he calls a "massive void" in his life left by his departure.
In an interview for the club's website, he added: “It’s important - as I’m still a supporter. I’ll be coming along to watch and - obviously - our Matty still plays for Blyth, so I’ll be coming to watch him and the rest of the lads as well.
“It’s going to be tough for me because I’ve always been involved in football. I don’t know what I’m going to do but it was the right decision to make for me. I just think it’s going to leave a massive void in my life.”
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Having made the decision to step down last Thursday, Wade told fans it was the bonds he'd built with them that he'll really cherish in retirement. And Wade - who will be succeeded by former Stockport County, Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town striker Alun Armstrong - reckons his love affair with the Spartans was kicked off by an impressive result back in September 2013.
He said: "It's really special - as the time it all started was Witton Albion away. We were down to nine men and we managed to get a win, thanks to Robbie Dale’s penalty. We also saved a penalty as well and the lads were collapsing on the pitch with cramp by the end.
"The Cannock lads and the Coventry lads were there and that love affair happened then. They shook our hands, gave us hugs and we really embraced the supporters. That's what has made it so special for me. The way that we have embraced the support and not just having it where they support us and we clap them going off the pitch.
"We started doing things differently from that point. We embraced them and we speak to them, to really make them a part of the club - as we did with the fantastic home support as well. That's the reason why Blyth is a really special place. It's the supporters."
The 57-year-old's love for the Blyth fans was reciprocated at Corby, with the Cannock Spartans presenting him with a commemorative hip-flask to thank him for his services over the last three and half seasons. Wade was humbled to receive the gift, especially from a set of fans that he feels he owes so much to.
He said: "I was never expecting anything like that. It's pretty humbling for me - as I'm a nobody from Blyth, so for people to appreciate what you do is just massive. For them to spend their time and put themselves out to buy you something is really humbling. I had to fight back the tears and that - as they're really good lads and they've looked after me and Matty [son Tom Wade] when our Matthew was going through a really bad time.
"We played Rushall a couple of years ago and they pulled him off the bus. He was virtually going to wrap it in but they got him off the bus and they made him feel special. Ever since then, Matthew's done exceptionally well. So, on a couple of accounts, I owe them a lot."
Even though he had stood down on Thursday, Wade showed tremendous loyalty to aid his former assistant manager Neal Hooks at Corby - after Armstrong was unable to make the game, due to previous commitments with the Middlesbrough coaching job he has left to take up his place in the Spartans’ dugout. However, it was a day of mixed emotions for the 57-year-old - as he struggled to avoid taking charge for one final time.
Wade said: "It felt strange at the final whistle. It was a surreal day - as I took a backwards step for the first time ever and let Neal take the team and pick the team. I found it hard not to act as a manager and I have to keep remembering that I'm not the manager any more. It was a hard day for me actually, because you want to say so much but you can't."
The popular Wade is likely to continue to be a familiar face at Croft Park for some time to come as he seeks to fill what he calls a "massive void" in his life left by his departure.
In an interview for the club's website, he added: “It’s important - as I’m still a supporter. I’ll be coming along to watch and - obviously - our Matty still plays for Blyth, so I’ll be coming to watch him and the rest of the lads as well.
“It’s going to be tough for me because I’ve always been involved in football. I don’t know what I’m going to do but it was the right decision to make for me. I just think it’s going to leave a massive void in my life.”
Follow us: @evostikleague on Twitter | Facebook www.facebook.com/evostikleague | The NPL Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/TheNPL/
