HARWICH and Parkeston have confirmed that Michael Wallace has agreed to continue as their manager for the 2020-21 season.
It is good news for the Shrimpers, whose Thurlow Nunn first division south results improved considerably last season after Wallace took over the reins last December, following the departure of previous Manager Kieron Shelley.
Wallace immediately brought in Gary Kioussis as his assistant and the duo transformed the season, leading the team to the Division One Cup semi-finals and almost getting them back into promotion contention.
They turned in some excellent performances against some of the leading teams in the division, giving hope for the future.
Harwich chairman Tony Armstrong said: “Michael, with Gary beside him, won the respect of everyone within the club when they took over, immediately demonstrating their ability to be able to take this club back up the non-league structures.
"Michael in particular has worked tirelessly, not only on the playing field but off it as well!
"He fully deserves the opportunity to manage our club.
"He immediately transformed last season, improving results and was consistent in maintaining very high standards both on and off the field.
"Michael has also improved the links between all the teams under the Harwich and Parkeston banner in particular the youth teams.
"He has limited funds available to attract the high wage seekers like some of our near neighbours but has managed to attract quality players who are proud to play in the black and white with little 'reward'.
"We are very hopeful and confident that Michael and his management structure can continue Harwich and Parkeston Football Club’s journey back up the non league ladder."
Armstrong is also very complimentary about Harwich's reserve-team manager Gavin Hewitt and his assistants Greg Borthwick and Matthew Valentine, who are steadily introducing good young players into the structure.
At the end of last season, they sat fourth in the table with several games in hand and would almost certainly have won a promotion position, had the League not been declared null and void - especially considering their last eight games were all at home.
Harwich's first team were top of the Thurlow League division one table for highest average attendances over the season, with 157 their average crowd.
Halstead were the only other team with an average more than 100, with the Humbugs' being 137.
Armstrong added: "It's a statistic that shows how well Harwich are supported and hopefully next season, everyone will enjoy the success Michael Wallace hopes to bring to the club."
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