BOB Don-Duncan has stressed the need for stability at Spalding United in the wake of Andy Stanhope’s shock sacking.
The new Tulips caretaker boss will guide the club through the UCL Premier Division’s festive fixtures, aided by player/coach Danny Hussey.
Beyond that, the long-term future of the Spalding hot-seat looks unclear, but Don-Duncan – a former UCL title-winning boss with the Tulips and Boston Town – is determined to steady the ship.
He insists that he wouldn’t have taken the job without Stanhope’s blessing and reckons another player exodus would spell disaster for the club.
Don-Duncan said: “I’ve worked very closely with Andy over the past year and I’m shocked and saddened by his sacking. He put in a great deal of work.
“There were high expectations in the summer after we signed what we believed to be a top bunch of players for this level.
“It didn’t quite work out and perhaps mistakes were made, but it’s important that the team sticks together. The club has seen too much change over the years.
“Myself and Danny will oversee the Christmas games and I strongly believe continuity is the way forward.”
Veteran defender Hussey echoed Don-Duncan’s sentiment, but moved to quash rumours linking his former Deeping Rangers colleague Pat Rayment with the Spalding job.
“I’m as shocked as anyone that Stan was sacked,” said Hussey. “I’m disappointed that he’s left, but when Bob asked me to help out I was happy to step up.
“I’ve heard the rumours about Pat coming here, but that’s all they are. He sponsored a game a few weeks back, but has not spoken to anyone about the job.”
Spalding’s festive fixtures see them visit Peterborough Northern Star on Boxing Day (1pm) and Daventry United on New Year’s eve (1pm).
They’ll have to do without Ben Good and Danny French who have left the club, but the departures are in no way linked to Stanhope’s sacking. But striker Josh Ford is back in the fold after a lengthy injury.