Hamon insists he has not quit

CHRIS HAMON has passionately denied rumours that he has stepped down as Vale Rec coach following their humiliating 6-0 defeat to Bels on Saturday. 'It's a load of rubbish,' he said.

'I'd like to know who's being saying this and kick them up the backside. I've said nothing about resigning.'

If the rumour mill was true, it would be no great surprise as Hamon could only watch from the Corbet Field sidelines as the reigning champions, Bels, scored six times before half-time.

Tomorrow night Rec face bottom-placed Rovers at home.

'For the first 45 minutes we were well below standard but second half we were all right, so hopefully we'll be like that on Wednesday,' he said.

'On Saturday it could have been 12-0 by half-time the way we were playing and we wouldn't have been able to argue with that. But we drew with them in the second half.'

Bels coach Micky Ogier had also heard that Hamon was going to leave Corbet Field.

'It would be a shame if he did,' he said.

'I'd heard a rumour he was going to pack it in at the end of the year. He's a good coach and there's not many good coaches around.

'He's one of the better ones.'

Hamon has received support from his own team as well.

Utility player Stuart Bisson, who has been at Vale Rec all his life, hopes that the popular Hamon does not leave.

'He's a top man and it would be a great loss to the club,' he said.

'I'm glad the rumours are not true. I like him.

'He's a good man and he's been like a rock to me. He's a big man with a big heart.'

Vale Rec president Tony Blondel said Hamon has not spoken of resignation to the committee. He was also aware of the rumours flying around.

'It's totally rubbish, there's no truth in it at all, thankfully,' said Blondel.

'He's a Vale Rec person through and through and, more importantly, he's a very good coach.'

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It could be argued that Hamon has had Rec punching above their weight this season as they sit in fourth with some sterling results under their belts.

In December they had beaten Bels 3-0 and have had two wins over Sylvans and creditable draws with league leaders North and St Martin's.

But recently the yellow-and-greens have been hit with injuries and suspensions that have ravaged their back line. At the weekend they had to do with makeshift centre backs Bisson and James Coquelin while striker Gareth Holden had to play in midfield.

However, for the Rovers game, Hamon is welcoming back Jason Sarahs from injury and Nick Holley from suspension to the centre of the defence.

'On Saturday we had three midfielders at the back but we're not going to use that as an excuse, because in the second half we showed that we can play,' said Hamon.

'We can't use our injury problems as an excuse.'

Tonight, North look to continue their march towards the Priaulx League title when they host Sylvans.