by Andrew Tidswell
Elite Sports Academy MD and Holbeach Utd player/coach
The old saying ‘time doesn’t stand still’ is only too true when you talk about the football scene in Spalding.
Since the last column I wrote, we had confirmation that Pat Rayment walked away from his role as Spalding United manager.
In his time at the club, Pat led Spalding to two trophies and a promotion back to step four football.
When I think about his time with the Tulips, it always seemed that what happened on the pitch was always met with something happening off the pitch.
For instance, his first full season in the UCL Premier Division would have seen Spalding promoted in second place behind rivals Holbeach United if it wasn’t for a deduction of points earlier in the season, due to fielding an illegible player.
The same thing that would ultimately put an end to their FA Vase attempt the following season. On the pitch, records were tumbling the following season for the most wins to start a league campaign and the squad looked imperious on the way to the league title.
The next season Pat’s step down and a quick change of heart – along with what seemed a revolving door of players – seemed to hamper the club as they searched for back-to-back promotions.
What we can’t complain about is the entertainment that came back to the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field. Spalding was a club that was on its knees – and had been for a while – before Pat got involved.
So, the town has to thank him for putting the club back on the map.
As somebody that played under him, there have been some things that he has done that I have agreed with – and others I simply didn’t.
However, what this success under Pat has done is give lots and lots of our youngsters in South Holland a platform, because I believe the Spalding United youth system is as big as it’s been since I’ve been around.
There are some really good people behind the scenes at Spalding, like there is at every club.
People who are trying to do their best for what they believe – but things don’t change overnight, so patience is important.
I know there was a wait to see what (new manager) Marcus Ebdon and Danny Hussey decided to do in terms of taking the job on full time, but from the last few performances you can see that the squad are behind them.
I imagine many people connected to the club are now hoping for a quiet few weeks and to quietly go about their business.
We shall see what happens.
