Firstly, I'm very disappointed with the way things have turned out, however, I understand from people that have spoken with Bobby Hunter that his view is that I'm not the right man to take Connah's Quay Nomads forward. I have no problem with that being his opinion, and the nature of his position allows him the choice of who he wants to fill the position, in this case not me.

 

My own thought is at the opposite end of the scale, in that when I arrived at the club there was no coaching staff and a playing squad of 2, neither of whom wanted to be at the club. There was no reserve squad and the Academy, although existing was a grey area where there were two coaches willing to continue, but so few players for any of the squads it may as well have been non-existent. The participants that were involved in the community scheme that was in place followed Nev who set up the Nev Powell Soccer School programme. So in essence, there was nothing in place.

 

Following discussions with John Gray, (Chairman) and Brian Morris (Vice-Chairman) about the playing side of the club, they were happy to allow me to put in place a structure that would see the club recruit and nurture local players for the future and pretty much left me to get on with it.

 

During the season the first team coaching staff and players arrived and achieved what was set as the objective by the then Chairman John Gray, of not getting relegated. The reserve squad, ran by Darren Wynne and his staff was established and achieved success in winning their league. The Academy, of which I was Director and Administrator recruited highly qualified coaching staff and by the end of the season each age group was fully established with the future looking bright. This included the setting up of a girls section for which we were assisted by the Sports Council of Wales by means of a grant that allowed us to recruit a highly qualified female coach with a view to progressing to establishing a young girls squad next season. The community scheme was organised for the majority of the season by Steve Carrol. However, towards the end of the season, due to unforeseen difficulties it was becoming more difficult for Steve to operate the scheme as he wished, so assistance was provided by an independent community sports provider who started to arrange match-day visits with local children, and with Steve continuing to operate the schools programme the future again was looking up. (However, I understand that the whole community programme has now been taken over by the Chairman, who will organise it.)

 

One other aspect of the structure that was being finalised during the final weeks of the season, was the setting up of a 2 year rolling Scholarship programme with an education provider that would have allowed the club to recruit the best 16 year olds from our Academy, plus those released from local Football League clubs and any other talented players in Deeside. This would provide them with a football and education package comparable to that offered in the Football League. The setting up of the Scholarship programme would not have cost the club a penny and would have given the club a group of young players that in time would proceed through the Scholarship programme, into the reserve squad and if successful into the first team. It would also providing them with educational qualifications that would be valuable in the workplace should they not achieve their footballing aim.

 

All of the above were created from the beginning of the season, and as far as I and the people involved were concerned, each aspect had the foundations in place that could be improved over next season and beyond, so to hear that I'm not the man to take the club forward is disappointing.

 

I've already recorded my thanks to the many people involved with Nomads, staff, players, volunteers and supporters that have helped me throughout what has been a difficult and at times a worrying season. Their attendance at the players presentation evening was testament to their togetherness and loyalty to the club and I certainly valued their support during my time with the club. As with all families there may have been the odd falling out or two, so if I did upset anyone, I hope they'll understand that it wasn't personal.

 

Finally, at this moment in time, my feelings towards staying involved in football are unclear and rather than make a knee-jerk reaction, I'll spend some time discussing plans for the future with my wife and see where it leads us. However, I think it's pretty unlikely that I'll continue managing or coaching football.

 

As for the future of Connah's Quay Nomads. I hope that for all the people that have shown great faith and given support to me during my time at the club, that everything works out ok, and I wish them good luck for the future.

 

Jim Hackett

 

Jim, On behalf of Connahs Quay Nomads Football Club and its Supporters, I would like to place on record our sincere thanks for all your hard work throughout what we know has been a difficult and demanding season. Also for ensuring that next season will be our 18th consecutive season in the Welsh Premier League.

 

Many of us are sorry to see you go and we wish you better luck on the next stage of your journey !

 

wivey

 

 

Nomads release Hackett

May 16 2008

by Paul Wheelock, Flintshire Chronicle

CONNAH’S Quay Nomads are searching for a new manager after parting company with Jim Hackett less than a year after handing him the job. Hackett, on taking over the Deeside Stadium hotseat in June, was faced with the task of rebuilding a squad decimated following the long-serving Nev Powell’s departure to Bangor. The former Chester City head of youth managed to do that and steered the club to Welsh Premier League safety. But secretary and chairman Bobby Hunter, after consultation with fellow directors Richard Hallows, Vernon Kindlin and Linda Morris, informed Hackett, who was not on contract, that his services are no longer required. Hunter said: “While he saved us from relegation, and we thank him for that, we don’t feel he is the right man to lead us forward. We’re looking for a new manager who will consolidate our place in the Welsh Premier League and then build on that.” UEFA ‘A’ Licence holder Hackett – who would like to thank his coaching staff, former chairman John Gray, the matchday volunteers and the fans – said: “I’m disappointed but not surprised as I had no contact with Bobby Hunter since before the end of the season. “He’s the chairman and he’s got the right to make the decision but I’ve had a lot of support from the supporters and from other Welsh Premier League managers, who are astounded by what’s happened. It was a very stressful season but I enjoyed building the team into a unit which all pulled in the same direction and which got its reward by staying up.” Hunter, who took on the chairman’s role in November after Gray stepped down, is in talks to bring at least two more people on to the board of directors. He is also searching for a commercial manager. Applicants should call 07813865675. The club’s Saturday morning community soccer programme has been cancelled for the time being.

 

 

HACKETT HITS BACK OVER SACKING

Jim Hackett, former Nomads' chief.

BACK from a two-week holiday in Spain, former Connah's Quay boss Jim Hackett has given his reaction to the news that his services are no longer required on Deeside.
Appointed last summer to his first role in the Welsh Premier, a disappointed Hackett says he has been told that "he is not the right man to take Connah's Quay forward" and feels it unlikely he will continued in football management or coaching.
Hackett says that, when he arrived at the club following the departure of Neville Powell to Bangor City, there was no coaching staff and a playing squad of two, neither of whom wanted to be at the club.
"There was no reserve squad and the academy, although existing, was a grey area where there were two coaches willing to continue, but so few players for any of the squads it may as well have been non-existent."
He says that, following discussions with then chairman John Gray and vice-chairman Brian Morris about the playing side of the club, they were happy to allow him to put in place a structure that would see the club recruit and nurture local players for the future.
During the season, Hackett says:
• The first team coaching staff and players arrived and achieved the set objective of league survival.
• A reserve squad was established and achieved success in winning their league.
• The Academy, of which he was director and administrator, recruited coaching staff and each age group was fully established.
"One other aspect of the structure that was being finalised during the final weeks of the season, was the setting-up of a two-year rolling scholarship programme with an education provider that would have allowed the club to recruit the best 16 year olds from the Academy, plus those released from local Football League clubs and any other talented players in Deeside.
"This would provide them with a football and education package comparable to that offered in the Football League.
"All of the above were created from the beginning of the season and, as far as I and the people involved were concerned, each aspect had the foundations in place that could be improved over next season and beyond, so to hear that I'm not the man to take the club forward is disappointing," he concluded.