Garner going when season ends

Player-manager Garner and his assistant announced they would be stepping down after their sixth-placed side's 4-3 defeat at the hands of Brighouse Town at Shawbridge on Tuesday night dented the club's hopes of making the First Division North play-offs.

Garner, 32, swapped the skipper's armband at Northwich Victoria for the manager's hot-seat at the Blues in 2014 after nearly a decade away to succeed Paul Moore.

The son of former Clitheroe chairman and manager Karl Garner, the midfielder played a key role in helping FC Halifax Town win the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League title in 2011 and counts Football League outfit Fleetwood Town and Stalybridge Celtic among his former clubs.

In statement confirming the departure of the pair at the end of the First Division North campaign to spend more time with their young families and concentrate on their careers, Blues chair Anne Barker paid tribute to the impact they'd made.

She said: “Simon and Ryan can be rightly proud of what they have achieved over the past two and a half years. The quality of our football at times this year has matched anything we have seen in recent years, and we are still on course for our highest league placing ever.

"It was also the season that Simon cemented himself in the Clitheroe history books by reaching his 250 game milestone as a player. I fully understand the reasons for the decision, I am grateful for the amicable manner in which it has been reached, and I wish both Simon and Ryan every success in the future."

Clitheroe are in no hurry to rush into an appointment as Barker confirmed, adding: "The club has a number of commitments until the end of April but then work will start in earnest to find the right person to continue where Simon and Ryan left off.”

The Blues host Burscough in their final home game on Saturday and Garner, who called managing Clitheroe an honour when he took over, told supporters that taking the decision to stand down had not been easy.

He said: "The decision has not been easy for us but after months and weeks of discussions, it was agreed it that we would call it a day. A number of different factors have contributed.

"We feel we have took the club as far as we possibly can and this is the right time to go our separate ways. All three of us have young children and are in successful jobs so we are looking forward to enjoying time with our families."

"I would like especially to thank Anne and the club's directors. Firstly for giving us the opportunity two and a half years ago to manage the club but also for supporting us and believing in us to turn around the clubs fortunes on the pitch.

"My special thanks goes to all the lads that have ever played for us but especially those this season. Every one of them has given me and the club everything they have. We have always tried to play attacking football at a high tempo and whether in victory or defeat the spectator usually gets value for money!

"A special mention has to go to Ryan my assistant, Jordan my coach and Jay our physio. Without my staff I would not have been able to do the job, their support has been immense. Whether we make the play offs or not, this season will be one in my career I will always remember.

He added: "Finally, I would like to say a massive thank you to all the supporters, especially those that travel away, and I hope our team has given you plenty to enjoy this season. I wish this great little family club every success in the future and my sincere best wishes go to everyone at the club and whoever becomes my successor.

"I'm looking forward to an end of season trip away with the lads and a summer with my wife and boys. It's been a long tough season which hopefully we can finish as strong as possible. It has been enjoyable and one we can look back on with pride."

Image courtesy of www.clitheroeadvertiser.co.uk

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