Town boss Adams reflects on 'toughest' spell of his career

MANAGER Carl Adams has revealed this season at Stratford Town has been the ‘toughest’ part of his managerial career.

Town retained their Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division status for a second season on Tuesday despite a 1-0 home defeat to champions-elect Poole Town.

Bideford’s defeat to Merthyr on the same night ensured Town were mathematically safe from the drop, which was Town’s main target for this season.

But Adams cut a frustrated figure after the game as he reflected on a miserable run that has seen Town pick up just one league victory since 30th January.

Stratford have also failed to find the net in their previous six outings, with their last goal coming in the victory at Poole on 26th March.

“It hasn’t been enjoyable,” Adams admitted.

“Over the year it’s a fantastic achievement for us. But since February, it’s been a disaster story.

“It’s been the hardest thing I’ve done and the toughest part of my managerial career.

“I could almost say it would be easier if we were getting hammered every week because that wouldn’t be so frustrating.

“We’ve lost 20 games in total and probably 13 or 14 of them by a 1-0 or 2-1 scoreline.

“You have to wake up and smell the coffee. I have to look and think to myself — are these lads ever going to learn? Because certainly from February we haven’t.”

With safety now in the bag, Town can at least look forward to a pressure-free final three games before a well-earned rest over the summer.

Stratford are at home to Cambridge City on Saturday before they return to the DCS next Tuesday night to take on Dorchester Town.

The final game of the season, at King’s Lynn, is on Saturday, 23rd April.

Full story in this week's Herald