Only one choice to succeed Pike at Gosport Borough

The job is Alex Pike's to turn down at AFC Totton.
Gosport Borough's assistant manager Mick Catlin. Picture: Ian Hargreaves (160984-7)Gosport Borough's assistant manager Mick Catlin. Picture: Ian Hargreaves (160984-7)
Gosport Borough's assistant manager Mick Catlin. Picture: Ian Hargreaves (160984-7)

And who could blame the Gosport Borough manager for thinking now’s the right time to walk away?

Talk of winding-up petitions, unpaid wages and continuing turmoil engulfs Privett Park.

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Then there’s the sub-plot of the consortium rumoured to be keen in investing if chairman Mark Hook walks.

Despite the continued suggestion an exit is on the brink of happening, Hook remains a constant. All the while, the players wonder what the heck’s going on and whether they’ll be paid their wages next month.

Having covered Pompey’s descent into the abyss, Gosport are displaying eerily similar tell-tale signs of doing the non-league equivalent.

The impact of the uncertainty – managerial and financial – can be felt on the pitch, with Borough now on a three-game losing run.

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For his unqualified managerial success, Pike and his wife are directors at a club in financial turmoil.

There has to be accountability there.

The opportunity is there and, after 11 years, a clean break makes sense.

What is craved at the club right now is stability. A look at the players saying on Twitter they just want to play football underlines that.

And, if Pike’s departure takes place, who better to provide that on the playing side than Mick Catlin?

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After sharing the journey through the leagues, Pike’s assistant is the natural choice.

With 22 years of management under his belt along with a lifetime of experience in the game, Catlin is respected throughout local football.

Loyalty’s being preached to Gosport’s players amid the strife but their eyes are telling them a different story.

Catlin, who’s staying put, can’t be questioned on that front. If and when Pike goes, he’s the man to steer them into calmer waters.