Ord weeps tears of joy as Durham win at last

Source: Durham Times

11:48am Monday 15th March 2010

By Jim Entwistle »

STAND-IN Durham City manager Richard Ord wept tears of joy after his side defied all the odds by beating FC United of Manchester 2-1.

The game was played out in front of 2,164 spectators at Bury's Gigg Lane. About 70 were supporting the lads in yellow, but even the home fans cheered as Durham took the points.

The team are still 26 points adrift of their nearest rival, but director of football Austin Carney said that the league table was now irrelevant.

Mr Carney, who missed the game because of a family commitment, paid tribute to Ord.

He said: "The manager said he was in tears for at least 20 minutes after the final whistle. He was overcome with emotion.

"Considering what he's achieved in his career, for him to suggest that was one of his proudest moments was a tribute to what these lads achieved."

All of City's woes were forgotten about on Saturday when goals by Andrew Stephenson and Elliot Cutts, and a penalty save by keeper Rhys Jobling, secured the victory.

Mr Carney said: "We haven't gone down the road of financial profligacy, chasing the dream, we have managed costs within a small budget and credit to the lads who have stuck to the task.

"These lads have pulled on the shirt every week, regardless of the beatings, and have always gone out and given 110 per cent. This was a fantastic result and it's a testament to them."