HILLINGDON Borough boss Gary Meakin has vowed to stay on as manager and continue rebuilding the club that was in crisis four months ago.
The 26-year-old former Northwood player/coach inherited a Spartan South Midlands Premier side that looked certain of relegation in March, after a whole squad walked out in the wake of John Nolan's departure as manager.
Meakin frantically signed 30 players in just six days before the transfer deadline in March and kept them up against all odds thanks to several wins at the end of the season.
However, Meakin himself came close to quitting at the end of the season after the club slashed its playing budget.
“I was told that the chairman had left and that there would be no money, but I was asked if I would stay on as manager,” he said. “My first reaction was 'no' as I cannot afford to have a relegation on my CV already as a manager.
“But I decided that I would ring around all the players and if enough decided to come back then I would carry on as manager.
“We have had 20-odd players at pre-season training and 12 signed on already. They have all agreed to stay and play for nothing and that is great as we want to take the club forward.”
Hillingdon also has a new chairman with Mick Harris taking over from Ghamdoor Dhaliwall, while Kelli Monk is the new physio and Steve Emmanuel will continue as assistant manager to Meakin next season.
