Dave Frecklington has resigned from his position as Lincoln United manager.
Frecklington was in charge of the Whites for three years and in his last season as manager guided them to the Evo-Stik Division One South playoffs where they eventually lost to Shaw Lane Aquaforce.
Following the defeat to Shaw Lane, Frecklington questioned his future at the club and despite the club’s best efforts to persuade him to stay, the former Whites player decided he wanted to move on.
“They did everything they possibly could to keep me,” Frecklington said. “We went out for a meal on Tuesday and we talked everything through.”
“It wasn’t a knee-jerk decision. It’s something that has been talked about within the camp for a while because we had a three-year plan.”
“We’re at the end of the three year plan now and it’s got to a stage where we’re at a bit of a crossroads in terms of which way we go forward as a football club and me personally.”
However, Frecklington looks back with pride at what he has achieved as manager of the club.
“I feel we achieved something special last year in making the playoffs even though we missed out on promotion at the final hurdle,” he said.
“It’s been a fantastic achievement and that goes for everyone behind the scenes. The chairman, the board, volunteers have all chipped in and it’s been a pleasure to manage the football club.”
“It’s my hometown club and the club I love, but sometimes you have to do what’s best for yourself. ”
Frecklington now plans to take some time out of the game before thinking about his next managerial challenge.
“Three years is a long time at one club,” he said. “Sometimes you need to recharge your batteries and then make decisions.”
“If offers come in the meantime then I’m going to obviously listen to them. I don’t want to give up the game. It’s making sure that I’m refreshed and ready to go if the right option comes along.”
Meanwhile, Sam Wilkinson has been named as caretaker manager at Lincoln United and Frecklington said he thinks his former assistant would be a suitable successor: “I think Sam will be a really good choice for the club in terms of taking it forward.”
“But that’s down to Sam and the board to decide who is going to take the job and I’m sure they’ll get the right candidate.”