Emotional end to the season as Louth Town manager Carl Martin leaves the club
Departing Louth Town manager Carl Martin admitted it had been an emotional week as he bowed out with a final game 1-0 defeat at Doncaster City.
Mick Jones' 61st minute effort won the match to leave the White Wolves safe in 17th place, nine points above the drop zone, with another season at NCEL Division One guranateed for the incoming boss.
Martin, who has spent almost 16 years at Louth as player and manager said: “It was a very emotional moment after all these years. But we can walk away with heads held high.
“The job we have all achieved here from the management team to players and supporters, and especially the chairman, it has been a monumental effort to get the club back to Step 6.
“I expect the new manager to be named by the weekend.
“They have whittled it down to two or three candidates and hopefully by the weekend they will have someone in place who can take the club forward at the beginning of next season.
“It has been an emotional couple of weeks for me.
“We all need a break now the season is over.
But I have been involved in football all my life.
“It's what you live and breathe and it becomes a huge part of your life, so I know I will miss it badly.”
At Doncaster the home team had the best first half chances but broke through after the break when Jones found the top corner after the ball broke towards him on the edge of the box.
Louth threw everything at them, but lacked the finish to level.
“It was the same old tale,” said Martin.
“We had so many opportunities and got into so many good positions but lacked the quality needed in the final third.
“That is what has let us down all season while Doncaster scored a fluke goal.
“It was really disappointing as we deserved at least a point.
“The good thing is we create chances and get into good positions.
It's just about having that quality in the final third.
“It is something the club will need to address over the summer - and that is no disrespect to the current lads who work hard and have given everything. But the side are just lacking that X-factor in the final third.”