Simon Houghton says he is unsurprised that he got the sack from his job as Shaw Lane Aquaforce manager
Simon Houghton has admitted that he expected to get the sack from his job as Shaw Lane Aquaforce manager after the Dinnington Town defeat, writes James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson).
Houghton was informed by director of football and caretaker boss Doug O’Connor at 7.30pm by telephone on Saturday night that his services were no longer required.
Goalkeeping coach Andy Middleton has quit the club in protest at Houghton’s exit.
Lane have since said in a statement that the decision was made because they “feel that a fresh impetus is required if we are to maintain our promotion challenge”.
Houghton took charge of the Barnsley-based side in the summer and built a team to challenge for promotion and leaves with the club in third-place.
“I knew it was coming when I was walking off the pitch at Dinnington,” Houghton told Sports Performer.
“I said to the players after the game that the performance had basically cost me my job.
“People have been focussing on losing four games out of six, but I’d rather focus on the seven defeats in 29 games and the fact we were the top goal-scorers and one of the best defences.
“We were also a point off the top two so personally I think I’ve done a good job. It is our first year in the NCEL and I’ve had to rebuild a whole team.
“The chairman (Craig Wood) has certainly panicked. At this stage in the season, you have to hold your nerve as a player, manager or chairman.
“I think he thought we would walk this league. No-one does and who gave him that impression, I just do not know.
“I’m disappointed because I wanted to see the job through. I’m gutted like the players are. I’ve been overwhelmed by the text messages I’ve been getting from the players.
“I’ve told them to stick in there and get promoted. I fear for the next manager though unless the remit changes.
“My remit was to get promotion so if they don’t then what’s going to happen to the manager?”
Aquaforce are one point behind second-placed Cleethorpes and seven from leaders Bottesford Town and Houghton is convinced his former team will finish job he has not been allowed to finish.
“I think they will get promoted along with Bottesford,” he said.
“Bottesford are in the best form and have created a little gap and are not conceding. The money is on them.”
Houghton is now out of management again nearly three years since his controversial exit from Pontefract Collieries.
Personal reasons prevented him from taking a number one role again until the Shaw Lane job came along, but on this occasion he will be looking to return to the dugout as a manager.
“I want to get back into it,” Houghton, who between 2011 and 2013 spent time as an assistant at Glasshoughton and Athersley, added.
“Circumstances when I left Ponte meant I didn’t until I got the Shaw Lane job in the summer.
“Now I have a routine which means I can. The only thing is that there are no jobs available at the moment.”