Clyde boss Danny Lennon: beating drop ranks alongside winning cup with St Mirren

Clyde manager Danny Lennon says that steering Clyde to safety from relegation ranks alongside anything he has achieved in his career.
Clyde players after beating East Fife to avoid relegation from League 1 (pic: Craig Black Photography)Clyde players after beating East Fife to avoid relegation from League 1 (pic: Craig Black Photography)
Clyde players after beating East Fife to avoid relegation from League 1 (pic: Craig Black Photography)

The Bully Wee secured their safety by winning both of their last two games against Dumbarton and East Fife, ensuring that Dumbarton and not Clyde would be forced to contest the promotion/relegation play-offs.

And at the end of a campaign like no other - which saw Clyde play their last 17 games in the space of just 48 days - Lennon admitted: "All things considered, I count finishing above the relegation play-offs this season amongst my greatest achievements in football.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"It's up there with winning the League Cup with St Mirren, winning the Championship play-offs with Alloa and winning promotions with Cowdenbeath and Clyde, for a number of reasons.

"Our drop in playing budget from the previous year; the stop-start nature, uncertainty, testing and overall impact of the pandemic; playing three games per week; no fans in the grounds; games cancelled at the last minute; key injuries; high turnover of loan players. All these factors impact preparing for games and all of the efforts to bring out the best of our playing staff."

However the Bully Wee boss, as ever, was reluctant to take all the credit.

He said: "Everyone has played their part. I especially want to thank the playing staff and coaching staff for dealing with these challenges so well.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I also want to highlight the role the fans have played with their messages of support and encouragement, which has lifted us at key times. Once again, all that we have achieved, we have achieved together.

"It may sound strange that I consider an eighth place finish as a major achievement.

"I do have strong ambitions to progress this wonderful club further up the leagues. However, when I joined the club, we were at the bottom of League 2 and now we are looking forward to a third straight season in League 1.

"That is significant progress. It is important we recognise that and retain our hunger for more."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And after a season dominated by the devastating effects of the Covid pandemic on so many, Lennon added:

"It is with great sadness too that I note all the Clyde supporters for whom, this season, the final whistle has blown on their time with their loved ones," he said.

"They have supported their beloved club, through all the highs and lows of football. Their voices will be sadly missed and we wish them eternal peace. It has been an honour to serve them as manager."

On the playing side Lennon's attention is already turning to next season and what changes he envisages making to his squad.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: "The end of season week is the hardest in football.

"We say goodbye to the loan players returning to their parent clubs, but we will also parting company with players who will not be offered new contracts. We wish them all well in their future careers and thank them for their efforts at Clyde FC."

Related topics: