FOOTBALL: Karl Marginson has vowed to wield the axe after FC United’s worst season in their history.

After three promotions in four years, the Gigg Lane tenants have suffered a disastrous campaign by their high standards and finished a disappointing 13th in the UniBond Premier League.

A return of just one win in their last nine games saw their play-offs hopes fizzle out – and the Rebels boss has promised to ring the changes over the summer.

“The players just aren’t good enough. Quite a few will be going,” said Marginson.

“I’m really disappointed with the players and the fight they’ve shown. Maybe that’s been a bit harsh because they might just not be good enough and they haven’t got it in them and that’s something you can’t put into people.

“But I’m fed up with talking to people who are nodding at you but don’t do anything to address it out there.

“Maybe I’ve been too fair with people because it’s not been repaid.

“We’ve got some good players and they’ve just not performed over the last few weeks. Our biggest earners and better players, the ones who influenced games, just haven’t done it.

“It’s been unbearable these past couple of months. I never want to be in this position again.

“We’re working hard to get players lined up for next year and we’ll come back bigger, better and stronger.”

Jerome Wright’s late winner ensured FC at least ended the season on a high as they beat Matlock Town 1-0 at Gigg Lane on Saturday in front of 2,871 supporters.

Defender Rob Nugent, who played in the breakaway club’s first ever game against Leigh RMI in July 2005, retired after the match because of work commitments.

The victory, the first in nine games, came on the back of Wednesday’s 3-2 home defeat against Ashton United. Phil Marsh and Ben Deegan were on target for FC.

Marginson added: “The season just petered out and it killed me.

“Players have left the club and we’ve not been able to replace them with better or even up to the same standard and that’s been shown with the results.”