Appleby hails Wisbech Town’s ‘fighting spirit’ and says fans deserved memorable win

The club’s turbulent week - which included the resignation of their assistant manager Chris Dear and a 9-0 hammering at Mildenhall - looked to be finishing with more misery when they went behind at table-topping Dereham Town.

But Wisbech produced an inspired second-half comeback to put smiles back on the faces of the Fenmen faithful.

Appleby said: “The last week has certainly kept us on our toes. It’s almost been like a soap opera.

“There’s something going on all the time and it’s been really tough but what it’s shown more than anything is our fighting spirit.”

Wisbech had three men sent off as they crumbled to their heaviest defeat in four years last Tuesday - but Appleby praised the battling spirit of his team and the loyal support of the fans.

“I actually drove home from Mildenhall with a smile on my face as I had a bit of pride,” he said. “I was proud of how we’d performed with eight men and how we’d conducted ourselves.

“The Wisbech fans are fantastic - they always have been. I loved playing for them and I love managing for them.

“We saw the marvellous side of football fans at our level when they applauded the lads off after a 9-0 defeat.

“They saw the real passion in that performance and, yet again, on Saturday they got behind them. It’s a big boost to the lads and the fans deserved that win.”

Appleby praised the impact of striker Chris Bacon, whose weekend brace gave Wisbech their most valuable win of the season so far.

He said: “Chris has got this aura about him, people just admire the way he goes about his football. He commands respect and when he talks, people listen.

“He’s been a breath of fresh air at the club.”

Wisbech, who sit fifth in the Ridgeons Premier Division, host Hadleigh United tomorrow.

Appleby added: “I said to the boys before the Dereham game that our season starts now. That win is the platform and now we need to push on.”