Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Shane Kelsey’s reign at Hemsworth Miners Welfare has ended, despite him keeping the club in the top flight of the NCEL.
Hemsworth pulled off the great escape after Albion Sports lost 5-0 at Barton Town on Tuesday night – completing a mission Kelsey was handed back in September.
Kelsey confirmed his exit from Fitzwilliam on social media on Thursday afternoon and he wished the club all the best.
The club has since confirmed the decision.
“It’s with much disappointment that my time at Hemsworth has come to an end,” Kelsey said.
“I was informed yesterday evening via a phone call that I was not in the club’s plans moving forward.
“Although I’m extremely disappointed in the decision, I fully respect the decision taken and leave with no animosity or ill feelings towards the club or any individuals.
“In fact although I have and never will accept anything other than winning or label anything less a success, I’m extremely proud of what we managed to achieve given the well-documented circumstances.
“The objective given when I walked through the door was simple: retrain divisional status.
“Not going did we do that but I think we far exceeded expectations.
“The whole atmosphere around the place was flat and deflated and a far cry from the Hemsworth I left as a player.
“Slowly but surely we reconnected the team with those off-the-field, culminating in a special atmosphere, the Wells of old, in the last month or so of the season and reinstated an identity that the local community can relate to.
“The club will always hold fond memories for me and more importantly all involved made my family feel comfortable and happy when around the place.
“There are so many people I would like to thank for their efforts and loyalty during my time but I would be here for hours so over the next week I will be in touch with those to pass on my personal gratitude to them.
“I leave behind a team of individuals who have the club’s best interest at heart and showed those that ridiculed us on social media and at games, what a good squad they are.
“Those lads deserve immense credit and should be proud of the way they finished the league season.
“They should move forward with chests out with the confidence needed to make a good career for themselves.
“Moving forward I hope the the club capitalise on the current feel good factor and the squad available and wish them but success in the future.”
Hemsworth’s statement said: “We are saddened to announce we have had to make the difficult decision of parting company with manager Shane Kelsey. Kels guided us to safety during his tenure in charge but we felt he wasn’t the right man to take the club forward and kick on next year.
“We wish Shane all best for the future and thank him for his efforts whilst manager of HMWFC. You will always be a legend here.”