Published: Thursday, 22nd May, 2008 12:00
Bicknell receives Parrish blessing
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Adam Bicknell has emerged as the frontrunner to be named as the new Bracknell Bees coach.
FORMER Bracknell Bees coach Dwight Parrish has backed Adam Bicknell as the man to replace him at the Hive.
Parrish quit his post at the end of last week after not receiving a new contract offer and decided to move back up to Manchester with his family.
But he feels the Bees already have a ready made replacement for him within their ranks and insists Bicknell is that man.
He said: “For me, he’s the right man for the job.
“It will be difficult for him, it’s hard making that transition from player to coach but I’m sure he could handle it.
“He’s been a captain for a while now so he’s already got the leadership capabilities and the respect of the boys who all look up to him.
“He did a great job as my captain, he knows the game inside out and I think this would be a perfect opportunity for him.”
So far the Bees are yet to name a successor for Parrish but all the indications are that Bicknell will be appointed in a matter of days, possibly at the club’s AGM which is held on Wednesday.
He has emerged as the frontrunner to take the role in a player/coach capacity although Czech defenceman Jan Melichar has also been mooted as a possible replacement.
Whoever it is who comes in will have big boots to fill after Parrish’s departure last week which brought to an end his 13 month spell in charge at the club.
During that time he led the team to EPL Cup success and also got them to the play-off final where they came up just short against the Slough Jets.
Following the end of the campaign he had always maintained that he wanted to stay at the club and the Bees had always stated their intention to keep him.
But a new contract offer never came for the American, who has a wife and young child to support, and in the end he made the decision to return to his wife’s home near Manchester.
And he admits the manner of his departure has left him with a bitter taste in his mouth.
He said: “I’m disappointed and a bit bitter.
“I was left in limbo a bit and the things I’ve heard now makes me think they were waiting for me to walk away so I would make their decision for them.
“I think they were just waiting for me to make the move. It’s unfortunate that it’s ended this way but I’ve had so many good times with Bracknell and I still wish them all the best in the future.”
Parrish’s future was linked with to the cash crisis which hit the Bees in recent weeks and last week owner Katie Eleftheriou revealed in the News that a major sponsor had pulled out of a potential deal, leaving the club in real financial difficulties.
They had just days to inform the EPL whether or not they would be icing a team for the 2008/09 season and there looked to be a real possibility that they would have to drop out of the league.
But on Monday the club’s general manager Stuart Robinson, said: “We’ve told the league that we’ll be competing in the EPL subject to the licence being granted.
“We’ve come up with a budget which will make sure we will have another strong team for the coming season.”
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