Dodd pays Tribute to 'Graham and Joan'

In an interview broadcast on BBC Hereford and Worcester earlier this morning Keith Dodd, chairman of HUISA, has been talking about the reign of both Graham Turner and Joan Fennessy at Edgar Street. It could be their last match in charge this afternoon should their proposed sale of shares in the club go through.

"I think both Graham and Joan have contributed a great deal to the club," said Dodd.

"When they took over we didn't know where the next pound was coming from. Now the club is in a good financial situation.

"Turner has taken back over as manager and things have improved no end on the pitch and even up until yesterday they were negotiating the new sponsorship deals for next year so things seem to be carrying on as normal down there now. Everything seems to be done to make sure the club in the future is in good hands."

Reminded by Dave Bradley how bad matters were at one stage, Dodd talked about the help of supporters to keep the club afloat.

"As supporters we just had to rally around and get a few quid here and a few quid there wherever we could to just help.

"We are going to miss a great football man here, great respect in the game, great knowledge of the game.

"Whatever everybody might think, we all have different opinions, he's a really great well-respected football man and I think it will be a sad day if he does leave the club.

"The biggest down was dropping to the Conference and I think he took it very badly at the time. He offered his resignation, we persuaded him to carry on and that turned out to be a good move.

"I think each time he has come back and taken over the football helm things have lifted. Even now there is a totally different atmosphere around the club.

"We all make mistakes over the years and Graham would be the first to admit that he has probably made a few. But the good times certainly out-weigh the bad.

"The Leicester situation, the promotion the day at Brentford - he's got some good memories to take with him if he does go today and I haven't given up trying to persuade him to stay.

"But it does look like he's going to go this time."

Bradders then asked Dodd to put his HUISA hat on and suggest who he might like to see in charge at Edgar Street.

"I would like to leave it to Graham. I respect what he will do for the club and I'm sure he will leave it in a far better state than he found it and I'm sure he will find the right people to take over.

"I just hope that whoever does take over might be able to persuade him to stay on as manager although he has made a quote that he doesn't see he could work under another chairman here.

"I hope our loss will not be someone elses gain, even a rival."

The interview moved to the role of Joan Fennessy who has been 34 years at the club.

"Joan is Joan, she's almost part of the fixtures down there.

"We've always had a good working relationship with her. I'd like to see Joan stay as well. Maybe it is time for her to enjoy her retirement."

Finally this afternoon's match against Rotherham.

"It would be nice to go out with a win and I hope the supporters turn up in their numbers today.

"It would be a nice way to pay a tribute to both of them for the enormous contribution they have made to the football club over the last 15 years together.

"I think the saddest part will be if he does go today the supporters will not be able to pay a proper tribute to him as he'll probably leave in the closed season."

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