STEVE Waywell has got the green light to continue as Leigh RMI manager. But the question on everybody's lips is 'for how long?'
His position was subject to rumour and counter-rumour as a meeting of the club's ruling committee was called to discuss Waywell's career.
The official line of the club was that Waywell is still manager although they declined to endorse his cause further, fuelling speculation that there may still dissension in the ranks.
John McGinlay's name featured in many of the rumours, with some saying that he would swap his position as manager of Dr.Martens League side Gresley Rovers for that at Hilton Park but the former Wanderers' striker has since dismissed such thoughts after his side produced a giant-killing to dump Southport out of the FA Trophy.
The Committee remained tight-lipped as they watched Waywell's side power to a convincing 3-1 win over Telford United and pull themselves further away from the danger zone. However the highly-rated manager, who was celebrating his 350th game in charge feels that the situation is now resolved.
"As far as I am concerned the matter is over. My aim is to keep us in the Conference this season which I believe that we can do and I want to be here as this club goes from strength to strength. I want to see Leigh RMI grow on and off the field but there is a minority who don't want that to happen.
"Certain people want to get rid of me but I don't want to leave the club. I have been here through a lot of successes during my six years and have made a lot of friends. I want a bigger future with the club. I'd like to see what happens with the new ground but most of all I am happy here and want to stay." Waywell arrived at the club from Curzon Ashton six years ago and has been at the helm through promotion >from the Unibond First Division to a Premier Division championship and a fifth-place in the Conference that defied the small attendances that the club were receiving. As the financial screw started to turn relentlesslyon the club resources, he was forced to cut his squad that had already felt the strain of no fewer than thirteen injuries during August and September. Hence, mystery shrouds the controversy over the manager. Few know how the disgruntlement started and even fewer know when it will end. It didn't dent the team confidence on Saturday but should the manager's requests for club unity not be heeded by the powers that be, then maybe the battle against relegation will end later rather than sooner.
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