Shropshire Star

Sacked Scott Ruscoe wants TNS to win the league

Sacked TNS boss Scott Ruscoe has told his former players to go and win the league title they ‘deserve’ while arguing against the ‘wrong’ timing of his shock departure.

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Former playing legend Ruscoe was relieved of his duties at Park Hall, alongside No.2 Steve Evans, just 24 hours after his side returned to Cymru Premier action following the Covid break for domestic Welsh football, writes Lewis Cox.

Leaders TNS, featuring new club record signing Adam Roscrow, picked up a point in a 0-0 draw at home to third-placed Bala Town in what the boss was satisfied was a positive display. They remained a point clear of rivals and reigning champions Connah’s Quay at the summit.

But, to his total surprise, Oswestry-based Ruscoe was summoned the next day, where he was given his marching orders in a ‘change of direction’ from the club’s ownership.

Ruscoe returned to the club yesterday morning to clear his desk and said his emotional goodbyes to players, most of whom he brought to the club in three years in charge, and others he played with during his time as a long-serving, tireless midfielder.

“I was there in the morning and had a word with near-enough every single one of them and wished them all the best,” said Ruscoe, who replaced former boss Craig Harrison in 2017 and won two titles before last season’s curtailed championship went to the Nomads.

“We go back a long way, there’s a lot of love for the club and players and respect.

“It’s not one where I wish they don’t win the league, the last thing I told them is ‘make sure you win the league, because you deserve to, you’re the best squad in the league’.

“The club’s got the best backing in the league, the best infrastructure, it’s going the right way.

“I just wish them all the best and told them they’d been great this season, which they have, that’s why we’re still top of the league.”

Ruscoe, who had already all-but sealed a new signing to come in this summer, added: “They asked what had happened? I said I don’t really know. I don’t and still don’t know.

“Things happen, changes are made, chairman like to make changes, whether we think they are right or wrong they own the football club and deserve to make the changes.

“I was given a role in full-time football and, sadly, I’ve left it top of the league – it’s not a bad place to leave the new manager coming in, is it?

“It happens in football, I’m not blasé to it or wet behind the ears, that’s football, you’ve got to get on with it. But do I think it was the right time? No I don’t. It was the wrong time to do it. I felt that we’d have won the league again and had another good crack at Europe.”

Ruscoe revealed he has immediately began looking for jobs to stay in the game, across a range of levels, from academic to senior levels.