Whitby appoint ex-Hartlepool, Notts, Bradford, Chesterfield, Carlisle, South Shields player

Whitby Town appoint ex-Hartlepool, Notts, Bradford, Chesterfield, Carlisle, South Shields player Gary Liddle as the boss for the meantime.

He is placed in charge following the departure of Nathan Haslam who left the club by mutual consent, days on from a 1-0 defeat at home to Newton Aycliffe in the FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round.

Liddle first joined Whitby is May 2023, signing a two-year deal with The Seasiders which saw him take up a player-coach role.

He now takes charge hoping to guide the club away from the Northern Premier League – Premier Division drop zone, currently sitting 16th with 11 points from 12 games played, but are a point from danger.

Whitby Town can confirm that manager, Nathan Haslam, has departed the club by mutual consent following discussions today.

Gary Liddle will take charge of first-team proceedings ahead of Saturday’s trip to Morpeth Town.

Full statement 👇

— Whitby Town FC (@WhitbyTownFC) October 8, 2024

STATEMENT:

After discussions today, Whitby Town can confirm that manager Nathan Haslam has left the club by mutual consent.

Assistant Manager Gary Liddle will take training tonight and Thursday, ahead of the weekend’s trip to Morpeth Town, with an assistant due to come in later this week.

During Nathan Haslam’s time with the football club, he guided the club to the Emirates FA Cup First Round Proper for the first time in twenty years and won last season’s North Riding Senior Cup.

Since joining in 2020 – initially as a first-team coach under Chris Hardy before taking charge alongside Lee Bullock – he has managed the Seasiders across 169 games, with 104 coming in solo charge.

Everyone at Whitby Town would like to thank Nathan for his efforts during his time at the Towbar Express Stadium, and with him all the best for the future.

Haslam said: “I would like to thank everyone-connected to Whitby Town Football Club for the support shown to me over the last four and a half years. I would like to personally thank the board of directors, players past and present, staff and the volunteers for all of their hard work.

“To the fans, we’ve regrettably not hit the heights we all aspired to this season, which has lead to the decision for me to leave, but I owe you a debt of gratitude for the way you welcomed me into your club and for the support you have shown me and your team.

“Whitby Town FC is a special club, a club I now hold close to my heart. This was my fifth season as manager, and what a ride it has been. There’s so many good memories, top of the list was that night at the Turnbull against Chelmsford City to get to the first round proper of the fa cup and we had our day out at Bristol Rovers, which was the first time in twenty years we had reached that stage of the competition, and not to forget that memorable night at the riverside in the north riding senior cup final. Memories to last a lifetime.

“I’ve been addicted and obsessed to give everything I had to the role, it’s now time for a break. The plan is to reflect and come back better and wiser for such a challenging experience.

“I wish everyone at the club all the very best for the future.”

A message from Nathan Haslam…👇 pic.twitter.com/a51Y6ta1nE

— Whitby Town FC (@WhitbyTownFC) October 8, 2024

Youth career
–2003 – Middlesbrough

Senior career
2003–2006 – Middlesbrough
2006–2012 – Hartlepool United – 284 games (21 goals)
2012–2014 – Notts County – 88 games (4 goals)
2014–2016 – Bradford City – 76 games (4 goals)
2016–2017 – Chesterfield – 46 games (1 goal)
2017–2019 – Carlisle United – 117 games (2 goals)
2019–2020 – Walsall – 16 games (0 goals)
2019–2022 → Hartlepool United – 80 games (0 goals)
2022–2024 – South Shields – 75 games (2 goals)
2024 – Spennymoor Town – 2 games (0 goals)
2024– Whitby Town
Total – 784 games (34 goals)

This is how fans reacted as Whitby appoint ex-Hartlepool, Notts, Bradford, Chesterfield, Carlisle, South Shields player Gary Liddle…

@Stangoe: Obviously wish Gary the best of luck, but I’m absolutely gutted ngl

@wotty59: Well done for stepping Up Gary

@Bumblingbadger1: So crap players got the manager sacked.. shocking

@1908pools: Hopefully the start of a great career in management

@richyhpool: Kind of player I’d expect to move into management

@DayDaniel33023: Never mind Whitby, Get him on pools shortlist.

@StephenReadman: All the best @iProNH and as Adrian said thanks for all the good times and for the messages when I was having a tough time.

@AdrianC76282449: No thank you @iProNH. You’ve been brilliant for the club and the lads. And on a personal note you were one of the first people to message me when I was going through the hardest time of my life so will always be grateful for that mate. All the best to you and the family 💙

Paul Ashworth: Good luck lidds hopefully we move up the league.

Peter Graham: Thank you very much for always doing your best Nathan IPro and giving the younger generation the opportunity to experience a Whitby Town F A Cup run last season. Such a shame the club decided not to push on from that success. Shame on the players passed and present who have shown they are good enough to play in the NPL but on to few occasions in 2024. All the best with what you do in the future. A hero of mine the late Tony Lee once told me some players , managers and indeed volunteers efforts are only ever appreciated after they ve gone.

Connor Anderson: Thanks for everything, Nathan. You’ve given us some fantastic memories, especially last season 💙 Big shoes to fill.

Mark Robinson: The club will struggle to find another replacement who was as dedicated as Nathan.i know how hard he was working to put things right. Big loss in my opinion. One of the best if not the best side I’ve seen at Hebburn since January last year. Wish him all the best and can’t see him been out the game long.

Duncan Russell: From the outside it seemed to me as though Nathan had lost the dressing room, and if that’s the case I think it’s the players who must soldier most of the blame. From the matches I’ve seen this season, there’s only a few of them that seem to take pride in playing for the blue shirt and for the rest it’s a case of take the money and run.

Jon Tilley: From the outside, can’t fault his effort. But that’s a big budget for the division, more than some NLN teams, so performing well below what’s expected. Good luck to the bloke at his next club.

Stephen Hutchinson: Correct decision especially after Saturday and the season up to now in general. What I will say though is thanks for the great times created last season and especially the Chelmsford ties which will live long in my memories!! Thanks Nathan!

Tony Gosling: Sad news indeed good luck Nathan IPro wish you all the very best. Sometimes we don’t know what we have until it’s gone. Best wishes Tony Mags and family xxx

Robert Welford: So sad to read this,Wishing you all the very best Nathan in your next Managerial Job I am sure there will be a lot of teams after your services, 👏👏 you certainly will be missed by everyone at Whitby Town football club. Take care Nathan & Good 🍀 Luck in the future.⚽️

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