Hardicre vows to fight on

FOOTBALL: FRED Hardicre has vowed to stay on as manager of Hollinwood, despite the fact they are almost certain to be relegated from the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League Premier Division this season.

Rooted to the bottom of the table for the majority of a torrid campaign, the basement boys have picked up only nine points.

The three lowest-place sides in the division will be relegated. Prestwich Heys, on 16 points, and Atherton Town, who have 21, accompany Hardicre’s side in the dreaded drop zone, with seven games remaining.

“No matter what happens, I am not going anywhere, my assistants are not going anywhere, and neither are the talented young players in the squad,” said the manager.

“No one has given up on survival. It is difficult, and depending on other results we probably need to win six of our seven matches. But it can be done.

“But even if the worst happens, I am 100-per-cent certain we will come straight back up.

“We have a group of very young players, who are currently operating higher than they should be considering their early stage of development.

“This is great experience for them.”