I'm determined not to make this a doom and gloom post. Or even an upbeat post about looking forward to next season and the changes that are going to be made and maybe a season where we win a few games. Or even an angry post about Steve Eyre or Chris Beech. I simply want this post to say "Why?".
When Steve Eyre took the job as manager of Rochdale AFC in the summer of 2011, he was an unknown between us supporters. We were told, by Chris Dunphy, and Lovecity and several other characters the following:
Steve Eyre had been a youth coach at Manchester City for several years and guided their youth sides to several trophies.
Steve Eyre had contacts galore from within the game... Mainly at Manchester City of course.
He was bringing in Frankie Bunn as his number 2, who also supposedly had many contacts within the game and experience as a coach and assistant manager at other (bigger) clubs.
He had come on recommendation of Keith Hill, and supposedly had the same footballing ethos' as probably the best manager we've ever had.
I spoke to a close friend of mine days after his appointment. This friend is a huge City fan, who's travelled all over Europe watching The Citizens. He claimed he'd only heard is name in passing and that Jim Cassell was the mastermind behind City's success at youth level. From there on in I had my doubts.
A few months down the line with the club staring relegation directly in the face, Eyre left and Chris Beech was placed in charge as interim manager, and we were told that during the summer, Beech had been a 'hairs width' from Eyre in the application process.
Now, I ask why? I understand Beech's record in charge at Dale was a miserable one, but it's hard to say he would have been just as poor had he been given the summer to shape his own squad and motivate the players. And his record at Youth Level in charge of ROCHDALE, was terrific. I emphasise ROCHDALE, because, that's the club he had the success at. Many lauded Dunphy for trying an unproven manager (as he did with Hill) and taking a risk that appeared to be a positive one (like he did with Hill). Except, surely, if Dunphy was looking for Keith Hill Mark 2, then Chris Beech would have been the more viable option?
I spoke to a former youth player who shall not be named as the interviews were occurring, and he told me he would be both shocked and devastated for Beechy should he not get the job. He said he deserved it, playing wonderful football, learning from Hill himself and that he had been a great servant to the club over the last few years. I had made the point that John Coleman would be my first choice (people should listen to me more...), but he was adamant Beech would take over.
As for the contacts, Beech clearly had half-decent contacts too. Bogdanovic and Ormerod from his former club Blackpool were seen as coups for the club even if they were only on one month loan deals, and the signing of Kurucz was seen by many as a decent one, as the West Ham keeper (Allardyce knowing Beech from their Blackpool days together presumably) put in some decent performances and was seen by many as a better keeper than Jake Kean who Steve Eyre brought in.
Eyre's contacts proved to be pretty average. Manchester City only gave us Harry Bunn on loan, (presumably coming because his dad was assistant manager rather than any reason to do with choosing Dale over Preston or Oldham for example...) and Ahmad Benali. Who was a terrific signing...
I know this is all well and good to say now, and none of us will ever see that fantastical Steve Eyre job application - it just seems an issue that nobody else has mentioned over the course of the season. I'm right behind Mr. Dunphy, I always have been and I back any decision he may make, but I would love to be given a reason as to what gave Mr.Eyre that smidgeon of an advantage over Mr.Beech.
Anyway, I know I said I didn't want to make this an upbeat post but I feel I should give it an upbeat ending. I never thought relegation would feel like this. I feel so confident that this club has the right manager to take things forward once again. A clear-out of several players, and hopefully some of the money that we're supposedly sitting on being put in to the transfer budget, and hopefully we can have a successful season next season.
Keep the Faith. We'll be back. What are the odds on a 3rd place finish in 2052 with Sam Minihan as gaffer?