Tadcaster have decided not to renew Paul Marshall’s contract as manager
Paul Marshall has been offered a senior role at Tadcaster Albion after the club opted against renewing his contact as their manager.
The news ends his seven-year tenure at i2i Sports Stadium – a period that has seen Tadcaster rise from the bottom of the Toolstation NCEL Division One table to the top of the Premier Division.
Marshall has even been chairman during his time at the club and is credited as their greatest manager for his achievements – managing over 300 games in the process.
Marshall is currently considering the offer of a new role.
The club’s directors said: “This is by far the toughest decision we’ve had to make since we took over Tadcaster Albion in 2013.
“We are close personal friends with Paul and we recognise what a great man and football manager he is, but we’ve discussed it at length and we feel it is the right decision for the club – even though, deep down, we were hoping it wouldn’t end this way.”
Marshall leaves after a season which has seen the club reach the quarter-finals of the FA Vase and come close to winning the Premier Division.
Marshall said: “I’ve had seven great years with Tadcaster Albion, which is a long time to stay at a club.
“It’s been a pleasure to manage the club and to see it rise from the ashes. Through the great work of Kevin Derry and Rob Northfield, and then moving on to i2i, it’s been an amazing journey.
“I’d like to thank all of the players, coaches and everyone behind the scenes for their commitment to the club, and to me as a manager during my time at the club.
“It’s a shame that i2i have had to make this decision, but I completely understand why they have made it because we’ve come up a little bit short of late.
“Even though it was perhaps our most successful season ever, we haven’t met the targets that we set ourselves at the start of the season.
“I just hope that the dedicated group of fans we have amassed over the last few years carry on and grow in numbers, and make Tadcaster the best supported team in Step 5.”
The task for Tadcaster is to appoint a new manager and they will not be short of applicants for a role at a progressive club.
Tadcaster chairman Matt Gore: “Without Paul, there’s no way Tadcaster would be where it is now. He has been a superb manager for the club and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working closely with him over the last two years.
“I hope that he accepts our offer to work closely with us at a senior level within the club.
“If he chooses not to, we wish him all the best and we know there will be a plethora of clubs keen to use his experience and success as a football manager.”