After two seasons in charge, coach Dave Tynan bade farewell to to some of the players and parents at Gledhow Social Club on Wednesday evening. Work and family commitments mean that Dave is moving to Mid Wales in the near future, but he leaves us with a great legacy.

It is fair to say that Dave was fairly abruptly thrust into the role of coach two years ago when Wigton Moor U13s were split into two separate teams, with Wigton U13 Athletic seen as a development squad for the United team. After finishing bottom of a tough division with three points in the first season, Dave concentrated on removing the "B team" mentality over the summer, with results that were little less than astonishing, as has been well documented on this website.

On Wednesday it was a chance for us parents to show our appreciation for Dave's dedication and hard work. As well as the more traditional bottles of gin, he was presented with a Wigton Moor U13 Athletic football shirt. Not only is this the only personalised version in existence, it is also the largest (with the possible exception of Ryan's).

I would like to join everyone in thanking Dave for the tremendous job he has done over the last two years, and wish him all the best for his future in Wales.

Moving on, next season we face the challenge of 11-a-side, bigger pitches and stronger opposition. Thanks to Dave, new coach Jari will be inheriting the backbone of a fine team, and there is every reason to think that Athletic's future will be as bright as its recent past.