Paul Smith

[RobYeltz]

Really disappointed to see Paul go.

I've not been around as long as many of you on here, so I've not seen the really tough times that the club has had to endure, the season of watching John Hill's team win the league has been my only real sign of glory. From that year it has been a slow decline until Lynch finally went and Keith and Karen took over. Larry and Rob didn't work out, but Paul came in and it was a breath of fresh air. Good football, good footballers, the pitch actually looking like a football pitch and not a potato field (no criticism of Ant by the way) and all of the sudden improvements to the ground were being done by professional trades people and with all due respect volunteers doing their best.
Keith and Karen leading the way of 'doing things properly' was mirrored in the footballing side of things and we had a team to be proud of. The Covid seasons obviously had a huge impact on the club's promotion ambitions, but the trophy runs will live with me forever. Paul has transformed this club; he's got good people around the club like Craig Nicholls and Josh Coney who are instilling fine principles into the youngsters in the academy and we're getting amazing crowds in the place.
To lose two people he was so close too is clearly going to impact someone coupled with the demands of this football club and then trying to be a good family man takes some doing. If you're reading this Paul, please do look after yourself and put you and your family first for a while and thank you so much for all you've done for this football club. Big boots to fill, but I'm sure with all you've done to improve this club the quality of applications will be like never seen before. Thank you. Once a Yeltzman, always a Yeltzman...

[andy]

Fine words Rob. Certainly a very sad way to bring his tenure to a close. I doubt we will see a more approachable dedicated man at the helm again. Were it not for COVID he could also have been leaving as one of our most successful managers. But the most important thing now is that he regains his mental strength without the pressures football. Thanks again Paul.

[Yeltzbaby]

Paul you go with your head held high. Along with the owners what you have built here is remarkable, The Grove is buzzing with fans every home game, its unrecognizable from when you first arrived.

Putting yourself and your family first goes without saying is far more important than anything else. Take care and hopefully we will see you at games in the future. You and your family will always be welcome at The Grove. Thank you for all your hard work, professionalism and commitment.

All the best

[uncle jack and coke]

Thank you Paul for everything that you've done for the club both on and off the pitch.

My abiding memory will be of you taking the time to talk with my 9 year old granddaughter when we came to collect our season tickets. The fact that you actually talked directly to her and not through me made her day, especially when you asked her to be mascot. She was buzzing for days and would tell anyone who would listen that "the Manager spoke to me." To her it was as if Jurgen Klopp had spoken to her.

I totally understand and respect your decision and wish you all the best for the future and once again, thank you.

[dazzlingdazza]

I’ve only been coming to games regularly since 2008, but Paul Smith is without doubt the best manager since I’ve been going. He along with Karen and Keith have transformed this club from mere depression to exciting and stable.

Paul was professional, hard working, not frightened of making changes and had time for everyone.

I’m gutted that Paul has left but totally understand why.
Thanks for everything you have done for Halesowen Town Football Club, lots of memories to cherish and also helping to get this great football club buzzing again.

Whatever happens going forward all the best Paul.

[Josh1873]

I don't understand the 'sad it's ended this way' line of thought?

I think this is the best way it could have ended. The alternative would have seen Paul carrying on, giving less than 100%. Supporters would have soon gotten on his back, and eventually it would have gotten toxic. Keith and Karen would have been left with little choice but to let him go. See the end of John Hill. That's not fair on Paul. The fans. Or Keith and Karen.

At least Paul can walk away with his head held high with largely good memories and a sense that his time here was positive. It would have been easy to bury his head in the sand and let the above play out. But he's made a tough and brave decision and I respect that.

I'm sad to see someone leave the club who clearly cares about us, who is borderline obsessive with his attention to detail - on and off the pitch and gave so much time to fans (the story about the posters grandaughter is brilliant, but not unique. It's something he did/does regularly, amongst other finer details). But footballing wise it's definitely the right time and decision.

Of course, we risk another Ant and Dec situation that we saw post Hill. But we're in a far better position than we were when they took over. Which should hopefully benefit the new manager.

[piearce9]

I guess it's disappointing for Paul (and indeed all of us) that he didn't really get the reward for what he achieved here.

On course for promotion with just 10 games of the league season remaining - robbed
FA Trophy semi-final in front of a sell-out Grove - never happened
Playoff semi-final vs Chasetown - lost in crazy circumstances

All of these should have resulted in celebratory pitch invasions, trophies being lifted, and all the managerial praise that came with it. And yet they all - in the large part - were all out of Paul's control.

He leaves the role of manager having improved the club across all areas - playing squad, infrastructure, coaching, the entire culture of the whole club - but it just feels like he didn't get that "moment" he deserved. And that's a bit sad imo.

There is however lots of reason for positivity still, and Paul will be always welcomed back to the club - who knows in what capacity.

[andy]

Josh, I think when people say it's 'a sad way' they just mean the 'reason' he departed. That it wasn't football related and it has been an awful time for him personally.

[andy]

I guess it's disappointing for Paul (and indeed all of us) that he didn't really get the reward for what he achieved here.

On course for promotion with just 10 games of the league season remaining - robbed
FA Trophy semi-final in front of a sell-out Grove - never happened
Playoff semi-final vs Chasetown - lost in crazy circumstances

This is so true. I have even started to be believe we are cursed. These are just the recent things that you mention. In 96 we must have broken some records in achieving over 90 points and not getting promoted. In the 00s we managed to get relegated on goal difference and in the year of the rejigging of the leagues when about half the division got promoted we chose to have a bad year and missed out. We also managed to lose a play off final in the last minute to a made up team who lasted a couple of years and decided they'd had enough. Then we managed to get involved with umpteen dodgy characters from M**s*n and his cronies, to the Ingram's and Lynch. Thankfully throughout all this time we had Colin and ultimately that brought us some good luck in Karen coming on board along with Keith. And then back to the bad luck mentioned by piearce9. So, we need to bring in a an exorcist just like the Blues did to lift a gypsies curse. Just look how successful they are now.....

[andy]

...by the way, have we still got the plague of wasps?