Stratford Town boss Carl Adams unsure of his future

CARL Adams says he remains in the dark over his future even though he believes he is the man to take Stratford Town forward.

Adams was in charge of Town for the 300th time on Saturday as a late equaliser denied Stratford a final-day win at Bishop’s Stortford.

Whether it will prove to be Adams’ final game as manager remains to be seen.

The club are understood to have been speaking with a number of potential investors, one believed to be a group headed by former Solihull Moors director Steve Shipway.

Major investment is needed to improve the club’s facilities, including work on the tired 3G pitch at Knights Lane, which is completely worn out after being laid ten years ago.

Town have enjoyed an incredible amount of success over the past five years and the club are now hoping the consortium can take them to the next level.

At the centre of much of that success was Adams, who is undoubtedly the most successful manager in the club’s 70-year history after claiming two promotions in his five-year tenure.

The Town boss has admitted he has received offers from elsewhere, although he said he plans to hold out and see what develops at Stratford before making his decision.

“No decision has been made as to where I am going to be next year,” said Adams, who joined the club at the start of the 2012/13 season as joint manager with Morton Titterton.

“I have had two good offers to go somewhere else, but at the moment I am holding out to see what happens at Stratford before I make a decision.

“I don’t want to leave the club, but it’s got to be right and the club has to be seen as going forward. Aside from that, I need to know where I stand with Stratford — I might not be the man they want to take the club forward?”

Regardless of whether Adams stays or goes, there will be question marks over the future of a number of key players.

Ben Stephens, who scored his 25th goal of a brilliant campaign at Bishop’s Stortford, looks set for a deserved move to a higher level following recent trials at Coventry City, Ipswich Town and most recently with Birmingham City.

Any manager would be keen to keep hold of last season’s player of the year Will Grocott, whose presence would be sorely missed after another sublime season in Town’s midfield.

One key figure who has confirmed he is open to staying on is Stratford Herald player of the year Dan Summerfield.

The versatile Welshman, who is studying at the University of Birmingham, plans to stay in the area for a further year to complete his master’s degree.

“We haven’t really heard anything,” said the 22-year-old. “But all being well I am more than happy to stay at the club.”

Saturday’s game at Bishop’s Stortford, Adams’ 300th in charge, saw Town concede another late equaliser as they settled for a point in a 1-1 draw.

Town were on target to reach a record points total of 57 points thanks to Ben Stephens’ 26th-minute goal, but Stortford substitute Joe Robinson struck deep into added time to leave Town a point short of last season’s effort.

“That game summed up our season — absolute frustration,” Adams said.

“The previous week we lost the game in the 93rd minute and now we concede in the 94th minute to draw.

“It’s all down to a lack of know how and game management. Our concentration levels have not been what they needed to be this season and that’s all down to how much you want to be winners.

“If you want to win at all costs, you’ll see these games out. These late goals have happened to use against Scarborough, Weymouth, Royston and the last two games and they’re just the ones off the top of my head.”

Meanwhile, the Stratford Town players are jetting off to Spain's Costa del Sol on Saturday for a post-season break.

The trip, supported by the club, has been organised as a reward for this season’s record-equalling run to the third qualifying round of the FA Cup.