Winsford Saxons management team joins Winnington Avenue 94

Gary Lee Jamieson and Mike Fitzsimmons have made the move from neighbours Winsford Saxons to lead the team in the Cheshire Football League’s reserve division.

The pair leave Saxons after two Covid-affected campaigns and a move from the Crewe and District League to the Chester and Wirral Football League.

Jamieson considers their time at Knight’s Grange to be a success despite the upheaval caused by the pandemic.

“We gave everything to Saxons during the most turbulent two years in society let alone football – two years we wouldn’t change and we’ve made some great relationships along the way,” he said.

“Covid-19 ended our maiden season together in 2019-20 and we were on for a successful season,

“We were in two cup finals and on course for a title shootout, but the pandemic ended our season and it was declared null and void.

“We then made the decision to move the club on in summer 2020 and enter the Chester and Wirral Football League, which is incredibly run and gave us the competitive league we wanted.

“The season 2020-21 was very much stop-start due to lockdowns either side of Christmas.

“But we will look at this season as a success, because we improved in so many aspects on and off the pitch.”

Jamieson and Fitzsimmons on the touchline at Winsford Saxons

Winnington Avenue’s reserve team were accepted into the Cheshire Football League last week and they will take their place in the Reserve Division.

Having established Winsford Saxons as a strong side, Jamieson believes the time is right for him and Fitzsimmons to test themselves elsewhere.

“After a chat with Lewis Wood (Winnington Ave first team manager), we felt it was right to take the step up and hopefully take the reserves forward,” he said.

“Now, our aim is to make Winnington Avenue Reserves a winning team.

“Hopefully we now have the turbulent pandemic behind us and we can kick on with a clear vision of what we want to achieve.”