Kerley wants to remain at Athlone Town helm

ATHLONE Town manager Mike Kerley has expressed a desire to remain in charge of the club for next season. The Town completed the 2011 First Division campaign with a heavy loss to promotion chasing Monaghan Utd last weekend, and finished the campaign in eighth position. With Athlone operating off one of the lowest playing budgets in the division, and blooding many young players throughout the season, a higher finish wasn't really expected this year, although there were times when the Town did come within touching distance of the top six. Speaking to the Westmeath Independent after last weekend's home 5-0 drubbing against Monaghan, Kerley said he feels Athlone have made "some small steps" in the right direction this season. His opinion is that Athlone "played well" in 90 per cent of the league fixtures, but lacked some experience and know-how, particularly in closely contested matches. As has been the case in recent years, another campaign has come to a conclusion with a certain degree of uncertainty surrounding the manager's continued involvement. For his part, however, Kerley has insisted that he's content with Athlone, and wants to continue his work at the club. "At the moment, I think the club needs to discuss a few things and see where they want to take it for next season, but I've made it clear to the committee that I'd like to stay with Athlone. Financially, it's been a difficult year for the club, as it's been for every club in the League, but I'd imagine the situation will become a lot clearer over the next couple of weeks," said the Limerick-based Athlone boss. "I think we made a few steps in the right direction this season. If you look at the First Division, it won't be as strong next season. Cork City, Shelbourne, and possibly Monaghan Utd, will be in the Premier Division, and you're left with Limerick and Waterford Utd, and then probably Longford Town and Galway Utd, if they're relegated, as the front-runners in next year's division. If we can add a few more experienced players to the squad, I think we'd have an outside chance of breaking into the chasing pack. Long-term, we need to continue trying to promote from within, and give as many young lads an opportunity in the first-team, but I do think we lacked a few experienced players this season, the type of players that get you over the line in tight matches. "A bit more experience is needed at the back, and if we had that player to put the ball in the back of the net at times, we could've finished higher in the table. I think we played well for 90 per cent of the matches, but unfortunately played poorly in a couple, and took heavy defeats in those games. It's the club's decision where they want to go next season, but as far as I'm concerned, I'd like to stay with Athlone. The young players probably need a few more years before they're ready to compete near the top of the division, but the nucleus of a good side is there," he added. There has been some talk of Athlone further reducing the playing budget for next season, but chairman Tony Knight said the club will "more than likely" operate from a similar budget to the 2011 campaign. Mr Knight said the club intend to hang onto Kerley, and that they hope to sit down with the manager over the next two weeks to finalise the situation. Kerley also hinted he'd like to bring some former Athlone players back to the club next season, which could see him target the likes of Garvan Broughall and Des Hope during the off-season. However, such scenarios cannot even be contemplated before the club ties down Kerley for another season. "I'd like to see the club decide which direction its going for next season within the next week or so," Kerley said. "The lads that have been here this year, and given so much, deserve to be told about their futures within the next couple of weeks. I'd also suggest that some of our younger players have already been contacted by other clubs about next season, so Athlone need to act quickly, and make sure the situation doesn't get anywhere near that of this season, when I was appointed late on and lots of players had already gone elsewhere. But I've told the club I'd like to stay here, and hopefully that can be sorted very soon," he added.