Post by Brian Mackay on Jan 25, 2005 10:07:35 GMT
Budge: 'I still believe in myself'
IMPASSIONED Wick Academy boss Alistair Budge remains in charge of the team following a week of turmoil.
The Scorries' manager is expected to lead his team out against Rothes at the Harmsworth Park tomorrow (Saturday) after the club rejected his resignation.
He quit in frustration after Academy lost 2-1 against Brora Rangers in the Far North derby last weekend - a result that left Academy rooted to the foot of the Highland League. However, the former keeper was convinced to stay by players, supporters and backroom staff and has vowed to repay their faith in him.
Speaking to the John O'Groat Journal at his home in Thurso this week, Budge said:
"I love my football and I want to put Caithness back on the map.
"A lot of people put in a lot of time and effort to get Academy into the Highland League and we're probably not justifying our place now that we are in, to be honest.
"I have family from Wick and I have a lot of time for people from Wick, and I would like to see us competing at the top. I don't want to be sitting at the bottom of the table and I know the players don't either - but, make no mistake, things will change."
Academy are suffering their worst-ever start to a Highland League campaign while, off the park, some supporters are continuing to boycott games over the way the club is being run.
Budge is the first to admit that he must accept his share of the blame - but as a joiner he knows he can only work with the tools he is given.
He has welcomed the long-awaited announcement that an all-weather sports pitch is to be built in Wick.
Budge said: "I'm still enthusiastic. A lot of people will be saying I've had my shot so give the job to someone else but I believe in myself and I believe I can do the business.
"The club refused to accept my resignation and told me to sleep on it - although I couldn't sleep. Some of the players were saying it wasn't the right thing to do to walk out and leave them when things are so bad. I know it is hard for everyone but we will have to keep their heads up and get back to the basics.
"As far as I know I will still be in charge for the game against Rothes and hopefully I will stay with the team until at least the end of the season."
Budge has threatened to axe his current squad and draft in a number of youngsters unless performances on the field improve.
He is set to follow the example of the recently-appointed Brora Rangers manager Jim Kelly, who cleared out his squad and brought in a number of players from the youth team after a run of poor results.
Academy are also believed to be in talks with a new striker during the January transfer window after struggling to score this season. "I feel I have a lot to give back to the county and I believe my job is all about giving local players the chance to progress to a bigger playing field, " Budge said. "The players know they can do better and the public know there is some really good talent up here.
"A t the moment I've been loyal to the players I have because they have all signed contracts to bring them away from summer football. I have five or six lads that play summer football as well but I feel the guys who have signed the forms are the ones who should be playing.
"I have emphasised in the last few days to some of the guys who haven't signed to go home and think about it, because if nobody wants to play winter football then Wick Academy may as well call it a day because it's an expensive game we're playing. I feel some of them have had their chance and I think it's time to change it."
Academy have appealed to their disillusioned supporters to unite behind the team and kick-start their season.
Budge revealed he is looking to bring in extra coaching staff to help him on the training ground but believes the fans can act as a 12th man during games.
He declined to denounce club chairman Jacky Gunn and pointed out that most other clubs would have sacked their manager with a similarly stuttering start to the season.
Budge, who once vowed never to walk out on the club, said: "I would like to see the town coming together and everybody working towards the same goal.
"There has been a lot of problems but instead of being negative we need the supporters to be positive, encourage the players, and make them want to play for their shirts."
He added: "The thing I tell the players just before they walk out onto the pitch is enjoy the game and believe in your ability, and at the end of the game I want to see them coming off the pitch with a smile on their face."
Meanwhile, Rothes have signed a new striker ahead of their trip to Wick this weekend. Former Caley Thistle and Fraserburgh forward Brian Thomson has been appointed assistant manager to Gordon Winton at Mackessack Park.
He is expected to play for Rothes against Academy tomorrow.
The game, which was originally due to be played in Rothes, has been switched to the Harmsworth because of drainage problems with Mackessack Park.
21/01/2005
IMPASSIONED Wick Academy boss Alistair Budge remains in charge of the team following a week of turmoil.
The Scorries' manager is expected to lead his team out against Rothes at the Harmsworth Park tomorrow (Saturday) after the club rejected his resignation.
He quit in frustration after Academy lost 2-1 against Brora Rangers in the Far North derby last weekend - a result that left Academy rooted to the foot of the Highland League. However, the former keeper was convinced to stay by players, supporters and backroom staff and has vowed to repay their faith in him.
Speaking to the John O'Groat Journal at his home in Thurso this week, Budge said:
"I love my football and I want to put Caithness back on the map.
"A lot of people put in a lot of time and effort to get Academy into the Highland League and we're probably not justifying our place now that we are in, to be honest.
"I have family from Wick and I have a lot of time for people from Wick, and I would like to see us competing at the top. I don't want to be sitting at the bottom of the table and I know the players don't either - but, make no mistake, things will change."
Academy are suffering their worst-ever start to a Highland League campaign while, off the park, some supporters are continuing to boycott games over the way the club is being run.
Budge is the first to admit that he must accept his share of the blame - but as a joiner he knows he can only work with the tools he is given.
He has welcomed the long-awaited announcement that an all-weather sports pitch is to be built in Wick.
Budge said: "I'm still enthusiastic. A lot of people will be saying I've had my shot so give the job to someone else but I believe in myself and I believe I can do the business.
"The club refused to accept my resignation and told me to sleep on it - although I couldn't sleep. Some of the players were saying it wasn't the right thing to do to walk out and leave them when things are so bad. I know it is hard for everyone but we will have to keep their heads up and get back to the basics.
"As far as I know I will still be in charge for the game against Rothes and hopefully I will stay with the team until at least the end of the season."
Budge has threatened to axe his current squad and draft in a number of youngsters unless performances on the field improve.
He is set to follow the example of the recently-appointed Brora Rangers manager Jim Kelly, who cleared out his squad and brought in a number of players from the youth team after a run of poor results.
Academy are also believed to be in talks with a new striker during the January transfer window after struggling to score this season. "I feel I have a lot to give back to the county and I believe my job is all about giving local players the chance to progress to a bigger playing field, " Budge said. "The players know they can do better and the public know there is some really good talent up here.
"A t the moment I've been loyal to the players I have because they have all signed contracts to bring them away from summer football. I have five or six lads that play summer football as well but I feel the guys who have signed the forms are the ones who should be playing.
"I have emphasised in the last few days to some of the guys who haven't signed to go home and think about it, because if nobody wants to play winter football then Wick Academy may as well call it a day because it's an expensive game we're playing. I feel some of them have had their chance and I think it's time to change it."
Academy have appealed to their disillusioned supporters to unite behind the team and kick-start their season.
Budge revealed he is looking to bring in extra coaching staff to help him on the training ground but believes the fans can act as a 12th man during games.
He declined to denounce club chairman Jacky Gunn and pointed out that most other clubs would have sacked their manager with a similarly stuttering start to the season.
Budge, who once vowed never to walk out on the club, said: "I would like to see the town coming together and everybody working towards the same goal.
"There has been a lot of problems but instead of being negative we need the supporters to be positive, encourage the players, and make them want to play for their shirts."
He added: "The thing I tell the players just before they walk out onto the pitch is enjoy the game and believe in your ability, and at the end of the game I want to see them coming off the pitch with a smile on their face."
Meanwhile, Rothes have signed a new striker ahead of their trip to Wick this weekend. Former Caley Thistle and Fraserburgh forward Brian Thomson has been appointed assistant manager to Gordon Winton at Mackessack Park.
He is expected to play for Rothes against Academy tomorrow.
The game, which was originally due to be played in Rothes, has been switched to the Harmsworth because of drainage problems with Mackessack Park.
21/01/2005