Shaun Cunnington takes a break from his mission impossible
Oct 31 2009 by Nick Pullen, Birmingham Mail
WILLENHALL Town will welcome today’s inviting FA Trophy tie with Nuneaton.
It provides them with temporary respite from their battle for Unibond Division One South survival.
That’s because the Noose Lane club found themselves facing a ten-point deduction after going into administration this summer.
Willenhall find themselves in good company at the moment as both Bromsgrove Rovers and Halesowen Town have also been forced to bring in the receivers in what is becoming an increasingly worrying trend within Non-League football.
But while Bromsgrove and Halesowen have various parties vying to take charge of them, Willenhall remain up for sale, leaving manager Shaun Cunnington without any funds whatsoever. Consequently, there is no money to pay the players – leaving loyal Cunnington with an uphill task of trying to recruit players for nothing.
“I don’t really get involved with matters off the pitch,’’ said Cunnington.
“I know the committee are working tirelessly in very difficult conditions to try and resolve the situation but it has left me with a massive task trying to attract players to the club.
“If it wasn’t for the support of my assistant, Paul Tomlinson, then I probably wouldn’t be doing it. You manage to persuade players to join who have experience at this or a higher level. But on average they stay for between four and six weeks before someone else offers them money and then the player goes elsewhere.
“However, I’m determined to get the club out of this situation and I can only believe this experience will make me a better manager,” added Cunnington.
Willenhall have already managed to wipe out the ten-point deficit and have moved into positive territory points-wise. They are still rooted to bottom spot but Cunnington remains confident Willenhall can climb out of relegation trouble.
He confirmed: “I believe it would be a tremendous feather in my cap if I could keep Willenhall in this division but I am under no illusions of the task ahead.”
Cunnington revealed the news of Willenhall going into administration came as a bombshell to him this summer.
“I believe it was due to a brewery debt, although I’m not certain about the amount,” he said.
“It means I’ve had no money, so you know that every player turning out this season is doing it for all the right reasons.
“After 12 months in the job, we were forced to rebuild the side again.
“Consequently, the young lads get plenty of game time and they’re keen to learn, but with young players you also get inconsistency.
“That’s why the win over Unibond Premier side Ossett Town in the last round of the Trophy was so rewarding. It seemed to make everything worthwhile.”
Willenhall have to travel to most of their away games by car because hiring a coach would prove too expensive.
Cunnington did concede they had enjoyed the luxury of a couple of coach trips this season – but that was after they filled it with supporters to help pay the bill.
It must seem a far cry for Cunnington, who once commanded a £650,000 transfer fee when he moved to Sunderland from Grimsby Town.
He also played in the European Cup Winners Cup with Wrexham and had spells with Notts County, West Bromwich Albion and Kidderminster Harriers.
It was at Harriers that Cunnington got his first taste of management, albeit in a caretaker capacity when Jan Molby left the club.
He recalled: “I did apply for the job at Harriers but didn’t get it.
“I then took the decision to move into Non-League where Alvechurch were good enough to give me my first chance.
“I enjoyed it at Alvechurch but I’m ambitious and want to manage at the highest level I can.
“Willenhall have the potential to play at the next level but there is always the chance that if the club gets sold someone else could come in and wouldn’t want me there. But until then, I’ll keep going.”
