Heacham boss to step down after final home game

Heacham manager David Griggs is to step down from the role after the club’s final home game against Long Melford next weekend.Griggs was appointed manager in 2015 and has overseen the most successful period in the club’s 117-year history.He has guided the village team to eight successive promotions, starting from the North West Norfolk League up to the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division last summer.Griggs, who came close to stepping down two seasons ago, informed the club of his intentions towards the end of last year.”One of the last conversations I had with my dad when he was ill was about football and I remember him telling me that if I felt I’d done my bit to spend more time with my family “In a way, I regret not doing it back in 2022, but I’ll live with that and I’m sure he’s looking down at me smiling and clapping now.”My wife Rachel still doesn’t think I am stepping down, so I’m sure she’ll be fed up with me come June when I’m around the house a lot more. “I couldn’t have asked more from the players and the coaching staff of JJ (Jordan Courtney-Jenner), Sean (McQuaid) and Ross (McNeil).”Step 5 football is massive and it has been a real pleasure to have been involved in the whole journey. “I have so many memories from my time in the dugout. The League and Cup double in Division Three of the Anglian Combination were special, as were winning both the Anglian Combination Premier Division and Thurlow Nunn First Division North titles.”Also our first season in both the FA Cup and FA Vase competitions have also been memorable both for the club and its supporters.” The departing Heacham boss wanted to make sure the club was on a firm footing before announcing his decision.”It was so important to me that the club is in safe hands,” he admitted. “With a few improvements here and there I truly believe the club will continue to improve on and off the pitch next season.”The new chairman has some great plans for the club, which I fully support. He wanted me to take a new role within the club which isn’t for me at the moment. “I will continue to support the club as much as I can with the appointment of a new manager, on the commercial side and with a bit of scouting. I will also be supporting all of next season’s teams at the club. “I hope the supporters will keep turning up to support the club. I will be doing the same and hopefully I can share some more magical moments with the club but from the other side of the barrier.”Courtney-Jenner is also stepping aside while McQuaid will spend more time at home with his wife Natalie expecting a baby shortly.”I’ve told the club to try to keep hold of both Sean and Ross but neither of them want the manager’s job. Despite that, they still have a lot to offer the club.”Of his 292 games in the dugout, Griggs has masterminded 202 wins and 25 draws.”I’d like to thank everyone who has involvement in the club, whether it’s previous coaches or management, the supporters or the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes,” he said.”I’d like to say a special thank you to David Page and Darren Bailey for all of their support and hard work over the last few years.”New chairman Mark Cosham, who began his role on Monday, will start the process of appointing a new manager this week.