Lewis Hayden

Message from the Chairman Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I’ve taken the liberty of writing this piece personally to celebrate Jamey Osborne’s remarkable contribution to Solihull Moors, both on and off the pitch. He has been the heartbeat of the club throughout my ownership over the past 8 seasons, during which time the club has had the 8 highest league finishes in its history, reached the play offs 3 times, the play off final twice and the final of the FA Trophy. But Jamey’s contribution has been so so much more than statistics. He joined Moors in 2016, his first spell at the club. We have Marcus Bignot to thank for bringing Jamey to what, and I hope he feels the same way, is his spiritual home. Jamey followed Marcus to Grimsby later that season but returned mid way through the 2017/18 season, initially on loan but in January 2018, Mike Turl secured Jamey on a permanent basis. And this is where the story really begins…… Who can ever forget the “great escape” - the miraculous recovery from a seemingly hopeless league position at Christmas with safety being achieved with a game to spare. Jamey was central to this as part of the midfield trio of Carter, Storer and Osborne under the leadership of Mark Yates and Tim Flowers. I became Chairman in the summer of 2018 and, I think tongue in cheek, said to Tim Flowers, “ Tim, just make sure we avoid a relegation battle - mid table would be marvellous.” Jamey’s response, on hearing this, was, “Chairman, we can win this league.” I cannot stress how critical that confidence and ambition was to me and it raised my sights to what Moors could be as a real community football club, both on the pitch and in the contribution it could make to the local community. I, together with so many others, owe a huge debt of gratitude to Jamey on so many levels. Throughout my time in football, I’ve often been told to not get friendly with players but this is not my approach. Relationships, loyalty and candour to address issues are at the heart of Moors and no-one has exemplified this more than Jamey. On the pitch, I still maintain that, at his peak, Jamey is as good as any player to have played at National League level. His ability to marshal a game, keeping the ball when others are panicking, creating space where none seemed to exist, ghosting through gaps with incredible balance and poise and, of course, his superb range of passing. Off the pitch, his support of Moors community based approach and his buy-in to all things Moors has been exemplary. He makes everyone, especially youngsters, feel special and is always a willing ear.  He has deservedly won our Community contribution on a regular basis. In the spirit of friendship, Ozzy is not perfect! He loves a little moan and he can be a little chippy on the pitch. He’s also probably not top of most referees Christmas card list! Jamey has become synonymous with Moors. He has given all for the shirt and has been at the centre of our transformation from a part time non league club to a full time, professional, established National League club with ambitions to reach the EFL whilst remaining embedded in our local community. Jamey has a deep love of family and community, allied to a heart-warming humility and a shy avoidance of the limelight. This is the measure of the man. Football clubs are complex entities. They compete on the pitch, operate as a business, serve as community anchors and carry the hopes and dreams of supporters whilst creating lifetime memories for all. But, at heart, they are ultimately about people and relationships. It is relatively rare that players become part of the institutional fabric of a club and this is the finest compliment I can give Jamey. On behalf of everyone connected with Moors - supporters, players, staff, volunteers and the wider community, we simply say thank you. You leave - hopefully temporarily - with our admiration, our gratitude and our respect. As Chairman, I have been fortunate to help lift the club to new levels. As a supporter, I have so many lifelong memories. Your contribution to both these elements and creating a legacy which no league table can ever measure, will never be forgotten. Darryl. PS - As you can deduce, there is a huge amount of affection between myself and Jamey. Accordingly, Jamey will make his own announcement as to what his plans are for the future.