INSTITUTE manager John Gregg paid tribute to his players even though they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Lisburn Distillery in their final match of the season on Saturday.
"We looked tired and jaded on Saturday and when we lost Ryan McCreadie that was a big blow to us, but I'm not going to make excuses we lost to the better side," said Gregg.
"I told my players after the game that I was gutted we lost a game of footba
ll, but because it was the last time I would have them as a group of players, I thanked them for their work both on and off the pitch and that they listened to both me and Raymond McGuinness.
"Right from my first game at Linfield, whenever no one gave us a hope, they listened.
"We changed some players and had different systems and all credit to the players because they did exactly what was asked of them."
Gregg, who has largely remained tight lipped about the invitational league, came out with all guns blazing following Saturday's defeat.
"I have held my tongue like a politician in the last two or three weeks, but now I don't care if I annoy anybody in Belfast.
"If there isn't a team from Londonderry in the new invitational league then it's a disgrace and the IFA have to take a long hard look at themselves and make sure they make the right decision and the right decision is that Institute FC has to be in the top league next year.
"Other managers have said it, as have other chairmen and all the work regarding meeting the criteria for ground improvement have been met, the only reason they could possibly knock us back is that we didn't finish in the top 12, that's the only bit that we have fallen down on.
"At the minute that kills me and to be honest that will kill me all summer, but I still feel that we should be in the invitational league."
The full article contains 348 words and appears in Londonderry Sentinel newspaper.
