Hallcro goes it alone after double act breaks up

Wayne Hallcro will officially take sole charge of Grantham Town for the first time on Saturday after the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League club confirmed on Friday that Jimmy Albans had stood down as joint manager.

Albans resigned after returning from holiday where he'd been considering his position following a recent cut to the Premier Division club's playing budget.

Hallcro, pictured, took charge of the club's last two outings with Albans away, and is going it alone against Trafford at the Meres following the ending of their four year partnership.

The managerial double act took the Gingerbreads to a EVO-STIK NPL First Division South play-off final 12 months before guiding the club to the league title and promotion to the Premier Division. They both left following budget cuts but rejoined a year later on Christmas Eve 2013 following the departures of their replacements Ian Robinson and Gary Sucharewycz.

In a statement released by the club, officials said Albans informed them that he didn't want to take on the added burden of rebuilding the side as a result of the cuts at the same time as increasing pressures in his business and personal lives.

A spokesman said: "We fully understand and accept Jim’s reasons for stepping down. He and Wayne Hallcro had built a team capable of taking the club much higher in the league, as we saw when they demolished second-place Buxton last week.

"Unfortunately, it could not be sustained financially, and we are very sorry to see him go. We will always be grateful for the way he and Wayne took over last season and got us out of a slide towards almost certain relegation."

After already going it along in their last two matches against Loughborough Dynamo and Barwell, Hallcro has the club's full backing despite both being reverses.

The spokesman added: "We are impressed with the calm and determined way in which Wayne has set about this difficult task. The 3-0 scoreline at Barwell on Tuesday did not reflect the real balance of play. The team were determined and well-organised – there is much to build on and we wish Wayne every success."

* Grantham Town are throwing open their turnstiles to all serving members of the armed forces for their top flight clash with Trafford and to mark Remembrance Sunday the teams will also be led out by former Royal Engineer David Jones before a minute's silence for the nation's fallen is held before kick off.

Jones completed 19 years service and was awarded medals for UN duty in Cyprus and service in Northern Ireland as well as long service and conduct medals for the Silver Jubilee in 1977. Also in attendance will be Cheryl Levett, the information support officer for Grantham HIVE at the Prince William of Gloucester Barracks.

Image courtesy of www.granthamjournal.co.uk

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