9:26am Wednesday 17th March 2010
By Derek Bish
IAN Hutchinson hopes to be able to shake hands with George Rolls and “move forward together” for the good of Weymouth FC, when they meet each other today.
It will be the first time the pair have come face-to-face since Hutchinson’s controversial sacking by Terras’ chairman Rolls in January but could end with a shock return to the club for the Teesider.
After the resignation of Jerry Gill last week, Rolls admitted he was wrong to dismiss Hutchinson and assistant Andy Mason before revealing he was to ask them to return to the Wessex Stadium, something he will do today.
Speaking publicly about today’s meeting for the first time, Hutchinson said: “Hopefully we can have a constructive chat.
“I’ve always said I would walk over hot coals to go back, but it is a bit different after what has happened.
“I have to sit down and have a constructive chat about things and hopefully they can be sorted out.
“You have to respect George for coming out and saying he has made a mistake, which me and Andy Mason believed he had done at the time.
“But that’s football, it’s all about decisions and he felt at the time that it was the right one.
“Me and Andy were adamant we would have kept Weymouth up. We were 12th in the form table and the players believed we would stay up. I think the fans believed that as well.
“Unfortunately it was cut short so we will never know if we would have – but it’s history now.”
Hutchinson and Mason, already firm favourites with the Wessex Stadium faithful, stemmed the tide of thrashings when they took over in October and it looked as if the Terras would have a fighting chance of remaining in Blue Square South.
However, following a 4-1 loss to high-flying Chelmsford City – the heaviest defeat of Hutchinson and Mason’s reign – Rolls sensationally dumped the management duo, much to the disgust of Weymouth’s supporters.
That has left a big question mark over whether they would be able to trust Rolls again, but Hutchinson hopes an arrangement can be agreed that is best for Weymouth FC.
“Hopefully we can shake hands and move forward together,” he said. “I think there is a lot going on at the club apart from this.
“It’s a massive month for lots of reasons and the main thing we have to worry about is Weymouth FC. Hopefully there will be a club for next season.
“If we can sort things out I would love to be part of that and be part of building again for the future of the football club and get the community back involved, which I have wanted to do from day one.
“Stability is the key word, if all goes to plan and there is a football club. I played under 12 managers in my 11 years at the club and it’s now key to get some stability.”
Hutchinson, who would require a signed, written contract before reaching any agreement, is also keen for Mason to return alongside him, should a deal be completed.
He said: “Andy is a big part of what happened – he’s a great coach, a great character and a great lad – so I would love for him to come back if it happens.”
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