Liddle: I’d be willing to stand down (From The Northern Echo)

Liddle: I’d be willing to stand down

12:31pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in Sport By Craig Stoddart, Deputy Sports Editor

Darlington manager Craig Liddle holds team training at Houghall College, in Durham

EMBATTLED Darlington manager Craig Liddle revealed last night that he will step down from the role if a replacement can be found.

After watching his relegation- threatened team lose 5-2 at Mansfield Town, the interim boss admitted he has been hurt by a small amount of criticism aimed at club’s former defender and skipper.

He has struggled to bring players because of restrictions enforced by the Football Conference due to the club being in administration.

As a result, the team is currently relying on youth players with six of last night’s starting XI being teenagers.

“The club comes first, it’s not about me, it’s about the club,” said Liddle, who yesterday afternoon was in charge of the youth team’s 1- 1 draw at Burton before heading for Mansfield.

“I’ve got a role in youth development and to be honest I’ve enjoyed this spell as caretaker, despite these last few games, but by all means if there’s someone out there that thinks they can do better then come forward.

“Silly comments have been made here and there which I will take on the chin, but we’ve got to stick together if we’re going to get through this.

“A lot of people appreciate what I’m doing, but I find it difficult to take certain comments on board.

“I stay away from messageboards, but it does filter back to me through friends and family and it upsets me because I don’t think anybody could work the hours I’m doing.’’ And he admitted: “I’ve got a very understanding wife, but she wanted me to call it a day with the job at the weekend because she can see the impact it is having.

I’m not seeing my family, I’m not seeing my kids.

“If there’s somebody out there that can improve things the by all means I’ll finish.

“We haven’t got money to bring players in, we’ve got a transfer embargo on us and we’ve now got a lot of kids who are physically and mentally drained.

“I don’t know if I’ve got the answers or not, but I do know that I will continue to give everything that I’ve got until someone tells me otherwise.”

Meanwhile, Liddle revealed that defender Exodus Geohaghon has turned down the opportunity to return to the club following the end of his loan at Dagenham and is set to go out on again, with Mansfield a possible destination.