[Hometown Unicorn]

Originally Posted by northwalian dragon

He got us into a playoff position and left. He did not get us into the playoffs. He achieved nothing.

Ricketts is less of a snake than Keates. I can't think of another manager that left in the manner that Keates did and was welcomed back, let alone so shortly after leaving.

You quote all the mistakes as just being "other blips". There have been some crazy decisions from the club that haven't been acknowledged or explained by the board. The decisions that have left us where we are have just been met by spin and arrogance.

As for Keates leaving it was not a option to progress professionally. He only needs to look at the man that signed him for Wrexham to see that jumping ship without achieving a thing can kill your career. And that's what happened, his career was dead at this level and we're the only club without an ounce of self respect that will take him back.

Again we have another crazy comparison. Here's the managerial history of Danny Cowley:

Took Concord Rangers up 3 divisions and was loyal to them for 7 years

Took Braintree to 3rd in the league, their highest ever league finish and lost out in the playoffs, did not ditch them early despite interest from Lincoln, tried to finish the job

At Lincoln he won the title, got to the FA Cup Quarter Finals, won the EFL trophy at Wembley in Lincolns first ever appearance at Wembley, finished in the playoffs and then won them the league title to go into league 1

None of the clubs that Cowley managed payed for his degree, helped him study whilst also playing through the scheme the club put on, he didn't play any of the teams he managed for a long period of time, he didn't have first hand experience of the pain of being in the tinpot leagues they were in, the fans of his former clubs didn't hand over £100k because they believed in him so much, he always stook the season out with the clubs he managed, he always achieved things and then left. The club that gave him his first break in management he spent 7 years and 3 promotions at. Keates didn't even complete a full season here

You've absolutely smashed it. Great post.