FLINN'S OUT ON A HIGH!

GARY Flinn says he will never forget his ‘amazing time’ in leading Newport Pagnell Town to two Wembley finals – but felt it was the right moment to move on.

- John Lyons

Flinn’s hopes of recording back-to-back FA Vase successes with the Swans were dashed by Ascot United last Sunday.

And the following day it was announced that both he and his trusted assistant Gary Chance would be leaving Willen Road.

It was subsequently confirmed that the managerial duo – who led the Buckinghamshire club to third place in the United Counties Premier Division South this season – would be joining new Southern League Division One Central outfit Leighton Town. It means Flinn and Chance are stepping up one rung of the Non-League ladder to Step 4.

“It was very difficult,” said Flinn of his decision to part ways with the Swans, “and it was nothing to do with another job. I had already spoken to people in-house and said that Wembley was going to be my last game.

“As much as we were doing well on the pitch, there’s still a bit more to do off it if the club is going to be a Step 4 team. Hopefully that happens in the next two, three or four years and they can build a team that gets them out of the league. I hope they go on to have massive success.”