MIDFIELDER James Coutts has admitted to feeling “angry and upset,” following Weymouth’s failure to beat the drop in the Blue Square Premier.
The 22-year-old was reduced to tears when his hometown club’s relegation was confirmed at the final whistle of the defeat against York City and it appears that could turn out to be his last appearance at the Wessex Stadium after admitting he is keen on a move abroad.
Coutts ended the campaign as captain after sticking with the club through some of the most turbulent times in its history, and it is those off-the-field matters that he believes cost the Terras their Conference status.
At the end of November, Weymouth were looking likely to launch an assault on the play-offs but turmoil in the boardroom and news of huge debts around the turn of the year soon had the club reeling.
It concluded with the majority of the first-team squad departing the Wessex Stadium following two months without pay and although those who remained battled hard to keep the club up it was all in vain as a winless run of 16 games saw the Terras finish second-bottom in the table.
Coutts said: “We got off to a really good start and it was just unfortunate what happened off the pitch. All that took over far too much and it got to a point where the boys were going into the club and worrying more about that than what they were working on in training and you just cannot have that.
“However, even after Christmas when we were told about the stuff that was happening, we still went to the likes of Torquay United and Kidderminster Harriers and won. And I still believe now that had we managed to keep that squad we would have been pushing hard in the top half of the table.
“After everyone left it was really hard to pick things up again and to be honest it has been a season of real mixed emotions. Now it is all over and I have started coming down from it all it really is horrible to think what we have all been through.
“To go from the highs of those victories at Torquay and Kidderminster and being told stuff so many times about different people taking over and then going without pay for three months was unbelievable and it all just became unworkable in the end.”
When asked to explain how he felt after the York game, Coutts added: “I was gutted and I still am. To be honest I did not know how I would react. I felt angry and upset all in one because I felt I had given a lot to the club and it had given a lot back to me, particularly the fans, as they have been excellent.
“I don’t think I have played my best since being at the club but saying that in the last few games when I was in central midfield I begun to feel like my old self again from a couple of years ago. I will always be very grateful to Bobby Gould for giving me that chance and to Alan Lewer for putting me back in the team after John Hollins had showed no belief in me.”
Coutts is now taking a well-earned rest before making a final decision on his playing plans for next season and it seems a third term at Weymouth is not on the agenda.
He said: “I have hopefully got other things lined up but although it is likely I will be going down a different avenue I will still always be interested in what is happening at the club.
“And I really hope it finds some stability in the near future and is in a position to push on next season.
“Ian Ridley has come in as the chairman and he has stuck by his word with things, which has been good to see, and I hope that continues because that was certainly not the case at the club before he arrived.
“Hopefully the chairman and the new board will be able to take things forward.
“As for me, I would like to go abroad and get away, and start enjoying my football again.
“Living in Weymouth and playing for my hometown club has been good at times, particularly when I have been out on the pitch, but off it, it has been tough and very emotional. I just want to be able to concentrate solely on playing again.”
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