Last updated 19:41, Thursday, 20 March 2008

FORMER Reds boss Tommy Cassidy really hit the nail on the head this week when he said hindsight was a wonderful thing.

I spoke to Tommy countless times before he left for pastures new and, both on and off the record, he maintained that money was not behind any of his reasons.

He made a tough choice to leave Reds, where he had been progressing year on year for a new challenge.

I can understand why Tommy left.

With Kingston Park just down the road and being told how amazing and ambitious Blue Star were going to be, it would have been an exciting time for him.

Tommy told me that he wanted to make Blue Star the new Workington Reds. Not by stealing their prize assets, although I am led to believe he tried, but by recreating the success he achieved at Borough Park at another club.

No-one could have predicted that it would have ended like this. Well, not so soon into the ‘living the dream’ scenario that the likes of Chelsea and Gretna have enjoyed.

Asking to be relegated was the final straw. Cassidy left, his assistant has left, and luckily for Tony Elliott, he left a while back to join England futsal team.

I’ve now been asked by a few people if Cassidy should be brought back to Borough Park.

My answer is no.

I was calling for Edmondson to be given the job during his role as caretaker manager, and I still believe he is the man to take Reds forward.

It would be very harsh on Edmondson if Tommy was brought back.

Darren is still learning his new role, and even though results have not gone to plan of late, he is still developing and growing into the position.

Before his appointment as Tommy’s successor, chairman Humphrey Dobie described Edmondson as a “born leader” and “the voice of the dressing room”.

With these ringing endorsements, he was given the role after a successful caretaker period.

The Reds hierarchy had faith in appointing a man with little managerial experience. They, like Cassidy made a choice.

Remember, Edmondson instigated a cup run which saw Reds playing in the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in 25 years, and for a 10-minute spell, it looked like Reds could take their League Two counterparts, Bury, back to Borough Park.

I think it’s safe to say that this season will not be one of Reds’ greatest moments, but the summer months will see new faces arrive at Borough Park and Edmondson will really be able to make a mark of this team.

For all the Cassidy fans out there, I know what he achieved at Reds, but his era has gone and the new one is just beginning. Keep the faith in Edmondson.