Wasps boss Danny Lennon all set for emotional return to St Mirren Park

The current Wasps' boss enjoyed four successful years at St Mirren Park where he led the club to League Cup success as well as two of their highest top flight finishes in the modern era. 
But he admits his only regret about losing his job at the club that is close to his heart is not being able to say farewell to the fans.  

Lennon told Advertiser sport: “My only regret from my time at St. Mirren was that I never got a chance to say goodbye and thank you to the fans properly. It was after the season had ended that I was told by the board that my contract wouldn’t be renewed and that they wanted to take the club in a different direction. They must have known before the last game of the season that that would be my last game in charge. 

“I would have loved to have said my thanks to the fans, as my philosophy has always been that I was working for them, as its their club. They give so much of their time, money and emotions into supporting their club. I had spent so much time with fans at various events and corresponded with so many of them. I felt honoured to be their manager for 4 years and give them some success. I would have loved to have had the opportunity in the stadium to say thank you on that last day."

Now Lennon takes his Championship strugglers Alloa Athletic to St Mirren Park this weekend where he will be looking plot his old side's downfall as they battle for survival at the foot of the table.
And he says all sentiment will be put to one side as soon as the game gets underway.

He said: “I loved my time at St. Mirren and I have some great memories of my 4 years there. I had a great relationship with so many of the fans there and I still get kind messages from them by card, text or email, even to this day. It will be strange going back and being in the away dressing room. But, I am fully committed to the job in hand with Alloa, a great wee club that I feel very privileged to be the manager of. My focus on Saturday is putting an Alloa team on the pitch that can earn a positive result. We are working hard this week to achieve that and go into the match on Saturday prepared to do what it takes to earn that positive result.”

The 47-year-old holds no grudges about his exit from the Paisley club, but is proud of his time with the club and believes it allowed him to hone his skills as a manager. 

Lennon added: “A lot of people are still scratching their heads as to why I didn’t get a new contract at St. Mirren. I have been inundated with messages to that affect over the last year. I stand by my record there and I am delighted I was given the opportunity to deliver that kind of success. I was a raw manager when I went to St. Mirren. I learned a great deal and developed as a manager in my four years in the top flight and I believe I am a much better manager for that experience. At the end of the day, football is about opinions and in the opinion of the decision makers at the club they thought it was time for a new direction.”