Gale Says Emotional Goodbye As He Quits Havant

But Shaun Gale accepts the time is right to end his near 20-year love affair with Havant & Waterlooville.

The Hawks legend has done just about every role at Westleigh Park after joining back in 2000.

But with a new era at the club under Paul Doswell already beginning, Gale has decided it’s the right moment to take a step back - despite being given the chance to remain on the coaching staff.

He has released an emotional farewell message to the club’s fans and his colleagues after making up his mind to move on.

He called it the hardest decision of his life but and thanked the supporters after nearly two decades.
“I’ve had some unbelievable memories and to stay somewhere for 19 years, it is a fantastic football club,” he wrote.

“I must thank the chairman, who’s gone out of his way massively and beyond to try and get me to stay.

“My reasons for leaving is nothing against the club, I just feel that after 19 years I needed a change of direction for myself and that’s what I’m going to do.

“It’s a hard decision which I have made over a few weeks, lots of sleepless night, lots of speaking to my family and I have come up with the hardest decision of my life."

He continued: "Havant will forever be in my heart, it is my club and have loved every minute working with all the different people I've worked with, there's far too many to mention.

"It's fantastic that the chairman has still allowed me to have the opportunity to have a testimonial/benefit year which we will still be running and I thank anyone that can support the events which my committee will be announcing shortly.

"I'd like to thank Paul Doswell for giving me the opportunity to be on his coaching staff.

“I've knows Paul for a long time, I have the upmost respect for him and what he has done in the game of football.

"But I felt like for me it's time to move on and maybe allow them a fresh start as well."