Gavin Macpherson and his staff after winning the Surrey Senior Cup
Macpherson has been manager for the past five seasons, following a long and successful partnership with Jim Cooper; so his departure is a great blow.
Chairman Des Flanders told his club’s website: “I have known for a while that Gavin intended to leave but had hoped that the success in winning the Surrey Senior Cup for the second time might cause a re-think. But it is not to be.
“I want to place on record the club’s gratitude for the efforts of Gavin and the management team he leads. That he has enabled the club to punch above its weight is a cliché but nevertheless true in this case. Despite a severely limited budget throughout his tenure the team has played some great football and enjoyed success over the time Gavin has been in charge.
“Now we must move on. Finance available with which to run the club remains restricted. But before any further decisions are made we must await the outcome of the Alliance meeting on 9th May which will determine the constitutions of the Steps 3 and 4 Leagues.”
The Met has asked for a level transfer to the Isthmian League at Step 3 – back to where they sat five seasons ago.
Macpherson said: “With a heavy heart, I have decided to stand down as manager, a decision taken together with my immediate management team.
“The club has been a huge part of my life, I’ve been a player, coach and manager, so to say it was a tough decision doesn’t do it justice.
“I want to firstly thank chairman Des Flanders for having belief in me and giving me the opportunity, which I will always be grateful for. Des is a great person and someone who loves the club inside out. The committee have always been behind us, so those thanks extend right across the boardroom.
“I can proudly look at my time with the Met, steering us to two Step 3 play-offs in three completed seasons, one of which we won but were unable to take our place at Step 2 due to FA re-structuring. In that time, we also won two Surrey senior cups along with a First Round of the FA Cup, sometimes a game-changer for clubs at non-League level. The standing ovation the players received after that FA Cup First round game against Newport County will live long in the memory.
“It’s also right I mention my time with Jim Cooper, some great moments, the obvious one being promotion as league champions to Step 3.
“Both my management team and the players have been pivotal, and I’m grateful for their efforts. They are excellent coaches and footballers and, above all, great people. I’m pleased Jon will continue to be involved within the club at the academy level.
“I want to thank the supporters for their support. We may have fewer than most, but still we see a contingent travelling to some faraway places week in week out. Both Colin Weston and Chris Newell have gone above and beyond just supporting the club and deserve a special mention.
“I know that as a team we’ve given everything, during that time your support has never wavered and that has helped massively”.
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