The end of an era: Breach and Cook have their say
Saturday’s SCFL Premier Division fixture between Newhaven and Petersfield Town will mark the end of joint-managers Sean Breach and Andy Cook’s time in charge at the Trafalgar Ground.
Since taking over on an interim basis in March 2014, and then becoming joint-managers officially later in the summer, Breach and Cook have turned the Dockers’ fortunes around. Four cup wins and numerous top four finishes have earned the duo some much deserved respect around the county, but they bow out following our home league fixture on Saturday afternoon.
Before their final fixture, Breach said: “Myself and Cooky have made the incredibly tough decision to step down from our roles as First Team managers this week. We feel it’s the right time for ourselves, and more importantly for the club. However, after nearly 11 years and over 500 games, we feel it’s right for a new face to come in now.
“I would like to thank the Chairman, Martin Garry for his unbelievable support and trust in us over the past years. The work he does for this football club is truly amazing and we couldn’t have asked for a better person to work under. There will never be enough I can say that matches what you have done for me.
“To every single player that has played under us we thank you wholeheartedly. Football is a commitment that takes you away from family and loved ones so to do this and play under us will never be forgotten. We have been lucky to work with lots of top players but more importantly brilliant people. There are a huge number of players I consider very close friends because of the club and people I will keep in touch with for the rest of my life and this has always been the most important thing for me.
“A big thank you to our amazing staff. Codge, Walts, Roey, Vicki, Dan and Kev, who has been with us from day one. Clive is doing an amazing job with the 18’s and 23’s and it has been great to work with you the past few years. Again, more importantly, you have all become great friends and people I know I will be in contact with and seeing outside of football. You all work tirelessly behind the scenes and are real legends to us.
“Thank you to all the committee, volunteers and fans – the real heroes of non-league clubs. Your support has been incredible to us over the years and have treated myself and my family with love and respect.
“There have been some brilliant memories made over the past 10-11 years. Winning the club’s first senior trophy since 1994, and winning three back to back trophies in our first three years in charge. Bringing four cup wins to the club and to play in two more finals and two play-off finals have been very proud moments for us. In eight full seasons (two ruined due to Covid) we have achieved five top four finishes and along the way we have played against some top sides and met some brilliant people.
“The amazing amount of messages we have had over the last week has been extremely overwhelming and really appreciated.
“I wish nothing but success for the club and the current crop of players and whoever comes in to replace us will have our full support. I look forward to coming back down as a fan in the near future but for now, I plan to enjoy a break and spend time with the family and get out to as many games as possible and personally say thank you to the football community who have kindly messaged and been a part of this amazing journey for me. As I say, I look forward to a break and am excited for what is next in my footballing life.
“After 507 games in charge we manage our final game this Saturday. There are many of you who have been a big part of this for us so it would be great to see you down at the game. After 507 games, 288 wins, 84 draws and 135 losses – its a goodbye for now.”
And Cook echoed those sentiments, saying: “The decision to call it a day was a very, very difficult one which me and Breachy had fought with for a little while. It’s no secret that results have not gone as we had planned this season and we put this down to numerous reasons including the injuries to many key players and the upheaval of having to use so many players so far. It has become disjointed and we felt that we had lost a bit of heart and soul in the squad with such a high turnover.
“However, the buck stops with us and we have very high standards which we just haven’t reached this season and after recent performances and results we couldn’t see it changing and took responsibility for this. We felt now was the time to step away and allow the club to get a different management team in which may have new ideas, attract new players and ultimately put results together to climb the league and with a RUR Cup semi final approaching it might get a reaction from the squad.
“Like I said, a really tough decision for me and Breachy to walk away from something that has become our life for the last ten plus years. And for me managing the Reserves before that for five years and playing for the club before that, and for Breachy who was also a first team player and captain for many years, so we have the club at heart and it’s more than just managing the first team, we are fans as well and it hurts us a lot when we don’t get results!
“So now is the time for a change and it’s really sad and Saturday will be a tough day in our last game but we leave with our heads held high.
“The response from everyone since it was announced has been incredible and very overwhelming.
“You forget how many friends you make in football and to have met so many great people and worked with so many excellent players has been an absolute joy. I really can’t believe how many people have reached out to us this week, it’s been very humbling.
“There are so many people to thank and I can’t list them all but our chairman Martin Garry has been as loyal, supportive, hard working and driven as they come and without him we would not have lasted this long! Thank you Martin.
“Our management team has been core to our success and recently we have had the pleasure of having Tony Coade, Ryan Walton, Kevin Woods, Graham Roe, Dan Breach, Clive Blunt, Vicki McFarlane and Brian Henderson. And before that we had the loyal services of Kieran Ridley and Jason Tighe. We thank them all.
“There are many, many others to thank but for anyone who knows the amount of time spent on matchdays, training, organising , recruiting, meeting, phone calls and all the rest means the family often comes second. So, for me, I have to say a massive thank you to Kerry, Chelsea and Gracie for first liking football! And also supporting me and spending half their life at the football club! It’s not just a huge dedication from me and Breachy over all this time but also from our other halves and our girls! They all deserve a medal.
“So, win, lose or draw on Saturday, we will enjoy a beer after the game with everyone. It won’t be the same going forward but things don’t last forever.
“Like I said we are fans, not just football managers, of Newhaven Football Club and we hope the success we have brought over the last ten years will continue and the club enjoy more silverware and hopefully promotion one day to the Isthmian League.
“Thank you once again to EVERYONE – Up the Dockers!”
You can see Breach and Cook’s last game in charge at the Trafalagar Ground on Saturday (4th January) afternoon. Kick off is at 3pm but please get to the ground early to give the managers a big reception. Entry is priced at £8 for adults, £5 for concessions and U18s are FREE.