A statement from Farsley Celtic Chairman Paul Barthorpe regarding Pav Singh
Despite unhelpful prior speculation, this morning after being in touch with Pav a number times I had a thorough and thoughtful conversation with Pav about his future at the club, and his desire to resign and agreed to his request to move on.
This was a difficult one for me as Pav is a close friend, and someone I speak to multiple times on a daily basis and have for the last couple of years. We have been there and supported each other through this difficult period at the club, and was also there for me through my difficult personal issue. But I understand his reasoning and the opportunities he has.
The positive news, and I am very happy to say is that Pav staying on at the club as our Club Ambassador, and will continue to have an input in the operations and future of the club.
Pav has been at the club for two seasons now and has transformed our footballing operations, particularly around the first team and its pathways. His input was invaluable last season in our survival run-in, and this season in creating a strong core of players and bringing through some great young talent.
He has been very unlucky with a huge long-term injury list that has meant the full impact of those efforts hasn’t been fully seen. That isn’t to say there haven’t been onfield successes, such as our best run in the FA Cup since reforming and we were unlucky not to progress further.
In my opinion, Pav’s most significant legacy at the club has been the development of the Emerging Talent Program, and the newly created U23 and B team structures, which have created a genuine pathway for young players to progress at the club. This has been demonstrated by a number of those young talents making first team appearances this season. This program has also developed some outstanding young coaches; Luke Dean and Clifton Robinson our lead pathway coaches are both set for bright futures. It is one of the finest development initiatives in the region if not further afield.
Pav’s contributions have also seen the development of a strong network of relationships with professional clubs, which have not only enhanced our reputation, but has allowed us to bring in top quality loans such as Zan-Luk Leban last season.
In addition to this, his ability to connect people and stakeholders has helped transform the club in our rate of growth and infrastructure development.
Football in general, but particularly owning a club is harsh, abrasive, with a lot of negativity and very little reward, so forming long term friendships under such circumstances is a rarity, and something I believe has hugely benefitted the club and will continue to do so.
Pav has a full time role with the FA as a regional coach developer for the North East and Yorkshire region, and will at some point in the future undoubtedly progress in his own coaching career, which is why I am delighted that he will remain with us as our Club Ambassador and says everything about Pav and his love for our club. From player to director and manager to club ambassador, i think that says it all about the man and the fact he has and always will be part of the Farsley Celtic family.
We will look to announce a new manager very soon and a number of new player signings to support that announcement. We will also give an update on the pitch with finish dates and what our home fixtures will be this season.
