Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll has admitted he needs a break after “easily the worst” year of his life.
Speaking ahead of his side’s final game against $tockport County this weekend, the boss said he believed criticism of his side was “harsh” given the impact of the tragic death of Lee Collins, injuries and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said: “I need a rest, I am worn within an inch of my life and after this weekend I am going to have a little break.
“It has been easily the worst year of my life. I know people are critical of me and the team’s performances, but they have to understand it has been one thing after another for us. I think the criticism has been harsh because we have seen how even teams like Liverpool have struggled without their central defenders. We had three 10-day periods of isolation because of COVID, a real turnover of players because of injury, it has been incredible.”
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.
The club has invited the family of Lee Collins to join them for the final game and Sarll said that the skipper’s daughters would be mascots for the day with Lee’s partner, Rachel Gibbons, joining them on the pitch.
He manager said: “Rachel and I have spoken regularly this week and they are special, special people and we want to show them how much Lee meant to us and how much they mean to us.”
In his pre-match press conference, he also spoke about a Crowdfunder the club has launched to raise funds for Lee’s family and Young Minds, a mental health charity which works with young people.
The club is aiming to raise £10,000 through the initiative and you donate to the fund – by clicking here.
Sarll spoke openly that he had been speaking with a psychologist from the League Managers’ Association (LMA) since the passing of his captain in March.
He said: “Mental health is like any illness, we never expect it to happen to us. That experience teaches you to respect the work that goes on and the treatments that can be applied. I have seen a psychologist since Lee passed and I have never seen one before or spoken to one before, Dr Alan Johnston from the LMA has been wonderful for me. You think you are never going to need it, but when it does happen you realise the quality of people out there that can help.”