Catlin: Gosport Borough players deserve to be praised

Mick Catlin has shown his determination to see the Gosport Borough players praised for their commitment to the club.
Gosport Borough assistant manager Mick Catlin. Picture: Ian Hargreaves (160984-7)Gosport Borough assistant manager Mick Catlin. Picture: Ian Hargreaves (160984-7)
Gosport Borough assistant manager Mick Catlin. Picture: Ian Hargreaves (160984-7)

Chairman Mark Hook told his staff they were banned from talking to The News in the wake of stories published last week.

We reported the club had been hit with a winding up petition for the second time in three months, while senior player Brett Poate called for honesty from the Privett Park hierarchy in our pages on Friday.

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The team then went out and delivered a stunning display to win 2-1 at Hemel Hempstead Town in National League South on Saturday.

And Catlin is adamant they get the credit they deserve for a triumph in the face of adversity.

Borough’s assistant manager said: ‘I think the players and the management team deserve nothing but praise for the performance at Hemel.

‘It would have been so easy for the players to blame events off the pitch for not playing well.

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‘When Hemel equalised it would have been the easiest thing in the world to let heads drop.

‘Instead they showed just what pride they take in the way they play.

‘The players were not prepared to let anything interfere with that.

‘As a group they care a lot about the club and what is happening.

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‘They showed a real strength of character to come away with a second away win of the season in what has been a difficult and unsettling time for all of us.

‘Hopefully we can move forward from this great win.

‘The uncertainty is unsettling but we have to just concentrate on the football and winning games.

‘That is our job and that is the big positive at the club.

‘We have shown in our wins against teams like Ebbsfleet, we are capable of beating the best. Our focus has to be on getting this football club as high as possible.

‘And the better our public profile the more we will attract sponsors and investment.’

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Hook admitted he is willing to walk away from Privett Park if major investment is forthcoming.

Meanwhile, Borough manager Alex Pike is in the frame for the top job at AFC Totton.

He has admitted he has had talks with the Southern League club’s vice-chairman. However, he has been unable to meet with the chairman – which has hindered the process.

Pike’s uncertain future only adds to the uncertainty at Privett Park – and few could have blamed the players for throwing in the towel at Hemel.

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Borough welcome Welling United to Privett Park on Saturday – with Poate and Tom Bird back from suspension.

Hopes are high the club’s future will be clearer by then – with Catlin confident the squad is still capable of a play-off challenge.

– by KEVIN RICKETTS