Town players were in the dark over Money departure

THERE was a mixture of rumour and surprise at the departure of manager Richard Money in the Hatters’ dressing room on Monday, writes Mark Wood.

While the revelation came as a complete shock to Adam Newton, Robbie Willmott admitted to having an inkling.

The winger, who worked under new boss Gary Brabin at Cambridge United, said: “Obviously it was weird.

“We came in Monday and there was a few rumours Richard Money was going to leave. Rumours you don’t want to read too much into it.

“We had a meeting before training and Gary Sweet read out the press release and Richard Money said a few words as to why he was leaving.

“He said he hadn’t got the club promoted which he wanted to do and I can only thank him for bringing me to the club.

“His aim was to get the club promoted like any manager. He really wanted to do it for the fans, the lads and himself and he felt it was the time to pass up the reins to Brabs.”

Newton, meanwhile, admitted that it came as a major surprise.

He said: “I came in prepared to train and prepare for Tuesday’s game.

“The coaching staff and people upstairs discussed what decisions had to be made.

“It was a bit of a surprise but we just have to swallow it and move on and be professional.”

Both now believe the dynamics with Brabin will change now as Newton said: “I think we have got to take him that little bit more seriously.

“He is calling the shots and making the decisions and we have to respect that. He is the gaffer now.

“When he makes a decision we have to listen to it.”

Willmott agreed, adding: “At Cambridge he was hands on because he was the manager. He came here and he was the assistant and you take a step back and have to look at things in different areas.

“He was very jokey and did have a bit of banter about him when he was assistant. I think we can still have a degree, but it will have to be a bit different around the training ground with the lads.”