Clemence Leaves Barrow

[Main Stand SeasonTct]

Oporto Sports client Stephen Clemence issued the following statement via @LMA_Managers earlier this week, after his departure from @BarrowAFC last month…

“I would like to thank the owners, and Chief Executive, Iain Wood, for giving me the opportunity to be the Head Coach of #BarrowAFC.

“We could not have wished for a better start to the season; winning seven and drawing one of our first ten games to put us top of #LeagueTwo, and reaching the third round of the League Cup with a historic tie against @ChelseaFC at Stamford Bridge. We will all remember that evening in London. Our supporters singing “We are top of the league!” and the players fulfilling their boyhood dreams by playing in a #PremierLeague arena. I’m proud that I played a part in making those memories for everyone connected with the club.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t sustain that form and started to experience far too many injuries. Not being able to pick the same team consecutively hindered us, but that was the hand we were dealt. We tried everything to turn things around, however momentum stalled and confidence was hit. We lost games and, while I am disappointed to leave, I respect the club’s decision. Looking back, I know we couldn’t have worked any harder.

“I could not have asked more of the players and staff. I would like to thank them for their contribution and wish them all the very best for the future. To the supporters - I would also like to thank you for your warm welcome, and travelling such distances to support the players week in, week out. I wish Andy, his coaching staff, and everyone at the club luck and success moving forward.

“Football is often determined by fine margins and moments, and sometimes they go against you. I have learned a great deal from my time at Barrow AFC and I’ll reflect and analyse what has gone well and where I need to improve. I will be better on the back of this experience and I am as determined, as ever, to continue my journey in football.”

For any enquiries for Stephen Clemence, please email dean@oportosports.com

Clemnce has show a bit of class in that statement. It's clear he holds the club, the board, players, staff and supporters in the highest regard. As a person he always came across as genuine, honest and a nice guy. Maybe that's his downfall he is to much of a nice guy. I wish him all the best in whatever he does next.

[mall]

Spot on, he was a lovely fella.

[Suffolk Blue]

Yes. A nice bloke and a true gentleman. Such a pity it didn’t work out

[DA52]

Spot on. Showed great promise, but lacked the ability to find a solution to stop the decline. Good luck in the future.

[Pedro]

Nice fella but like alot of former players including Bobby Charlton could not succeed in Management.

The stress showed on him basically because he cared.

Good luck in whatever you do next.

[ossickbluebird]

What a very classy piece by a very nice fella

[HenneysKnee]

Fair play that’s an excellent statement; sort of guy who just needs to stick to coaching, ex premier league player will find a cushy job easy enough

[Scott5]

Good luck to him for the future. He said himself he sort of expected the sack a bit sooner and in hindsight we should’ve done but the new players I think were hoped to turn it around. In the end I think he ran out of ideas and tried so many things with shape and players and was desperate to change it without any real plan.

He looked dejected in his last interview and it had to happen. Well regarded as a coach so maybe he’ll go back to that or try and learn his trade more at a lower level. Likeable man but possibly but with the level he had played at he might’ve tried to be too intricate at times and I think it confused the players. Sometimes it just needs to be kept simple.

Also I wouldn’t blame him for all of our issues this season, injuries played a big part and the lack of good preparation last summer also hindered him.

[behind the goals]

Without our brilliant start to the season 16pts in first 7 games we would now be in the bottom 2, it ended badly for Clemence but thank you for keeping us up.

[mall]

Without our brilliant start to the season 16pts in first 7 games we would now be in the bottom 2, it ended badly for Clemence but thank you for keeping us up.

"thank you for keeping us up."
Dont speak too bloody soon for chrisakes!

[McMark]

Without our brilliant start to the season 16pts in first 7 games we would now be in the bottom 2, it ended badly for Clemence but thank you for keeping us up.

The thanks should surely go to Morecambe and Carlisle if that ultimately happens.