Club legend Ross Hannah's pens message to fans following departure
As noted on social media this evening, Gladiators fan favourite and legend has decided to depart the club due to family and work commitments. Ross wished to pen a short open letter to the Gladiators fan base on his departure which can be found below.
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Firstly I would like to thank the gaffer for bringing me back to the club that I’ll always be very fond of and a club that allowed me the opportunity to forge a career in professional football, winning the Non League Golden Boot at the time was a real highlight of my first spell. Unfortunately last season when it eventually started, didn’t finish how we all wanted it too but how I see the club now to the club I left in 2012 is very different and has a very positive future. A club doing all the right things and going in the right direction. Jase being appointed as the new chairman in my eyes is a master stroke and will continue the great work already done by Bryn and the board. Along with the great support of the fans old & new, the management, the lads that are staying with the new additions added already will give them a great chance of competing at the very top of the league again next season.
As I always have, I will be supporting the club from a distance. I’ll be checking the results and following the progress which they’ll continue to make.
Just to be clear the gaffer and the club wanted me to stay and made it clear what they think of me which I appreciate a lot but with me not getting any younger, having a young family and working unsociable hours I feel playing a bit more closer to home with less travel to away games etc is the right thing to be looking to do for me and my family.
Lastly I would like to thank every single person involved at the club, too many to mention individually but the work everyone puts in all around the club doesn’t go unnoticed and the lads always appreciate everything you do.
My family always enjoyed coming to Matlock and always felt welcomed, we really appreciate that so thank you. Keep doing what you do everyone, I know you will
Take care all, enjoy the break even though it’s not long before we’re all back at it. I wish you all the best for next season and for the future.
UTG!
Ross Hannah.