The Cambridge City board has backed manager Robbie Nightingale to preserve the club’s Step 4 status during the final three weeks of the season.
Early last month, the Lilywhites had opened up a double-figure points gap to the Pitching In Northern Premier League Midlands Division’s relegation zone.
And yet a run of five defeats in six outings – all of which they have conceded four goals in – has seen the cushion to the bottom two cut to five points with nine left to play for.
But despite the alarming dip in form, chairman Kevin Satchell and the rest of the board are sticking by Nightingale.
A statement, which was released following last weekend’s 4-0 home loss to Boldmere St Michaels, read: “In December, the board collectively decided to support our Manager, Robbie Nightingale, believing him to be the right person to guide us through the remainder of the season and maintain our status at Step 4.
“Despite a positive position after the Coventry game, recent results have hindered our progress towards that goal.
“With only three games remaining, we still believe that a managerial change now is not the solution and we put our trust in Robbie, his management team and the players to deliver.
“Instead, we are focused on bolstering confidence within the team and management to navigate through this challenging period.
“Our players are fully committed in training, and our staff are tirelessly working to translate these efforts into positive results on the field. We acknowledge the frustration when matchday performances fall short of the expectations the management and players set.
“As an open club, we value everyone's opinions. While many opinions are valid and shared by us, some online comments are either based on hearsay or factually incorrect.
“Such speculation undermines the unity of the club, demoralises our staff, volunteers, and team, and creates a negative atmosphere.
“We urge unity and encourage anyone with concerns to reach out to us directly, either at games or via email. We are always available and open to conversations with you.”
City’s first outing since the latest vote of confidence for their manager will be on Saturday (13 April) when they travel to face Shepshed Dynamo.
City could be without top goalscorer Stefan Broccoli for the trip to Leicestershire after the playmaker was stretchered off during the first half of the defeat to Boldmere.
When Nightingale’s side faced Shepshed in the reverse fixture back in November, Broccoli was on target twice in a 4-1 victory – a result that at the time halted City’s three-game winless run of form.
